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Manners Are Not for Monkeys by Heather Tekavec
The old zookeeper has no idea how much trouble it will cause when she moves the monkeys into a cage near the picnic and play areas. Now the monkeys can watch the children up close, and they find the children so fascinating that before long, they start behaving just like them! Mother Monkey is not amused. When she sees her little monkeys chewing with their mouths closed, she demands to know what's going on. ?We are using good manners,? they say. ?Manners are not for monkeys,? Mother tells them. But it's no use. In fact, her little monkeys won't do any monkey things anymore --- no more swinging all at once from the branches, screeching or tossing their banana peels on the ground. Is there anything Mother Monkey can do to get them to behave like ?good little monkeys? again? This funny picture book by Heather Tekavec turns the topic of manners and behavior on its head and offers a clever, non-preachy way to begin discussions with preschoolers and kindergartners about social skills and self-control --- key skills for school readiness. The expressive faces of both the monkeys and the children speak volumes in the lively, detailed illustrations by David Huyck, adding to the fun. This book makes a wonderful choice for a pre-reader storytime.
Hardcover
First published April 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
February 16, 2016
I would like to thank NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Now, I have read many children’s books about manners and what constitutes as good manners and bad manners, but I had never read a children’s book where the message about what manners is all about is turned on its head! “Manners Are Not for Monkeys” is a children’s book written by Heather Tekavec along with illustrations by David Huyck that tells the story of how a group of well-behaved monkeys ended up getting mixed up with a group of unruly children and man, was the conclusion of this story a doozy!
The story starts off with an old zookeeper moving the monkeys to a cage near the picnic area where a group of children were playing. When the little monkeys observed what the children were doing, they started acting like the children too, such as chewing with their mouths closed and keeping their cage tidy. When Mother Monkey sees this, she is wondering why her children are acting so strange and are not doing things that monkeys normally do such as chew with their mouths open and keeping their cage messy. One day, a group of children came to the zoo and started doing wild activities such as roaring like lions and sloshing through the mud like elephants and when they came to the cage of the polite monkeys, they wondered why the monkeys were not acting as unruly as they were and they started acting just as wild as before.
What will the zookeeper do to fix this mess?
Read this book to find out!
Wow! This book was truly unique and amazing as I never would have thought that I would see a children’s book that deals with the topic of manners in a bizarre twist! Heather Tekavec has done a fantastic job in writing this book as the humor is quite witty and I enjoyed the fact that we have monkeys who are portrayed as being polite due to mimicking what the children at the picnic area were doing. It also shows a great message about how people have to be careful about how they behave themselves around children since they are most likely to imitate whatever activities they are doing, whether they are good or bad. While it was unusual seeing Mother Monkey promoting bad behavior for the monkeys, it was done in a way that acting unruly is part of a monkey’s nature and that she was only trying to get her children to behave like how monkeys usually behave. David Huyck’s artwork is comical and cute to look at as the monkeys are drawn in an exaggerated fashion and I really like the images where Mother Monkey’s face contorts in an exaggerated rage as her face turns red and her mouth goes enormously wide!
Parents should know that this book sends a mixed message about the importance of good manners as Mother Monkey is showing distaste for her children whenever they are displaying good manners and that might confuse smaller children who want to learn what good manners are all about. Parents might want to explain to their children about the importance of good manners and that this book is merely poking fun at manners as a whole.
Overall, “Manners Are Not for Monkeys” is a truly fun book for children who want a good deconstruction on manners as a whole and who love reading books about monkeys! I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since the mixed message about manners might be confusing for smaller children.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
March 15, 2016
"When the old zookeeper moved the monkeys to a cage beside the picnic area, she didn't know the trouble it would cause." She certainly didn't have even a tiny idea... The monkeys started observing the kids, and learning their manners. Mother Monkey can't believe her eyes. Why are the monkeys chewing with their mouth closed, taking turns and tidying the cage? "Manners are not for monkeys! Try to behave like monkeys!" she yelled.
One day it happened that a group of not very well behaved children visited the zoo, and they noticed right away the monkeys weren't behaving like they were supposed to. They started to show the monkeys how to swing, and screech, and scatter garbage all around... like monkeys. That's when the old zookeeper realized her terrible mistake. The children should be in the cage, and the monkeys outside!
The story is hilarious, and the illustrations totally added to the experience. Great option for a laugh-out-loud moment!
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Find more children's book reviews in Reviews in Chalk
One day it happened that a group of not very well behaved children visited the zoo, and they noticed right away the monkeys weren't behaving like they were supposed to. They started to show the monkeys how to swing, and screech, and scatter garbage all around... like monkeys. That's when the old zookeeper realized her terrible mistake. The children should be in the cage, and the monkeys outside!
The story is hilarious, and the illustrations totally added to the experience. Great option for a laugh-out-loud moment!
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Find more children's book reviews in Reviews in Chalk
February 15, 2016
What a weird book!
I can’t tell what the message is supposed to be! “Have good manners or you’ll be locked up in a cage”?
The art was cute and funny, especially when the monkeys started acting like well-behaved children.
But I couldn’t tell if there was a message - I thought there would be, since the book was about manners.
But when kids “roar like lions”, “splash like elephants“, and “slop their food like wild boars”, they get locked in the cage and their moms and dads want to take the monkeys home.
But - is roaring like a lion when you’re at a playground at the zoo bad manners?
I can see slopping food - but splashing in mud seems a bit borderline.
I’m really not sure what to think about this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for a copy in return for an honest review.
I can’t tell what the message is supposed to be! “Have good manners or you’ll be locked up in a cage”?
The art was cute and funny, especially when the monkeys started acting like well-behaved children.
But I couldn’t tell if there was a message - I thought there would be, since the book was about manners.
But when kids “roar like lions”, “splash like elephants“, and “slop their food like wild boars”, they get locked in the cage and their moms and dads want to take the monkeys home.
But - is roaring like a lion when you’re at a playground at the zoo bad manners?
I can see slopping food - but splashing in mud seems a bit borderline.
I’m really not sure what to think about this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for a copy in return for an honest review.
April 30, 2019
2* art
3* story
Squirt and I laughed over this one. The monkey's mom is mad because her babies are behaving!
3* story
Squirt and I laughed over this one. The monkey's mom is mad because her babies are behaving!
March 29, 2016
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
First impression, cute illustrations, promising idea. I loved the book and thought the story was adorable. The message however, while important, I felt was a little understated for preschool/kindergarten age. That, along with my dislike for the small writing, would put this book at four out of five stars for me.
My three and a half year old on the other hand, loved it-- and understood the meaning behind the story. He says five stars.
His opinion wins out.
First impression, cute illustrations, promising idea. I loved the book and thought the story was adorable. The message however, while important, I felt was a little understated for preschool/kindergarten age. That, along with my dislike for the small writing, would put this book at four out of five stars for me.
My three and a half year old on the other hand, loved it-- and understood the meaning behind the story. He says five stars.
His opinion wins out.
May 12, 2016
I liked this book until the end when the zookeeper decides the kids should be put in a cage instead of the monkeys.
December 29, 2016
This was okay, but there was something about it that just didn't sit well with me. Maybe it was calling the children monkeys. I get the concept, the monkeys were behaving like good little children, and the children were behaving like uncontrollable monkeys. But it doesn't paint the children or the monkeys in good lights.
February 19, 2019
Mama really liked the ending of that one - wonder why.
:D :D
:D :D
August 9, 2019
The world is turned topsy turvy when the monkeys adopt good manners while the kids behave like wild animals.
August 26, 2017
Manners, those wonderful things we all must teach our children. It can be so difficult to teach manners without being preachy, nagging, or creating epic meltdowns.
Heather Tekavec has written the perfect book to help with just this topic. In Manners are Not for Monkeys the old zookeeper moves the monkey cages close to the children's picnic and play area with some very unexpected results. The author has very cleverly written a book to sneakily teach children about proper manners, like chewing with our mouths closed, taking turns, tidying up, and using indoor voices. It is the perfect book for preschoolers and kindergarteners to begin discussions about the important social and people skills they need to be school ready. Since, Mother Monkey is expecting what humans would consider to be bad manners from her children, be sure to read this book before sharing it with your children so you can be prepared for the discussion about why Mother Monkey is upset by good manners. I really do love storybooks that offer a flipped perspective on life lessons. Stories that are written from a different perspective are innovative, and thought provoking and should be shared with our children.
The illustrations by David Huyck are so expressive and animated that they grab the interest of the children immediately. From the exaggerated expressions of Mother Monkey, to the faces of the monkey children just trying to have good manners, this book is captivating from the first page.
For more info about the author and illustrator check them out at tekavec.com and davidhuyck.com. For more about Manners are Not for Monkeys and other books like it, check out Kids Can Press
Heather Tekavec has written the perfect book to help with just this topic. In Manners are Not for Monkeys the old zookeeper moves the monkey cages close to the children's picnic and play area with some very unexpected results. The author has very cleverly written a book to sneakily teach children about proper manners, like chewing with our mouths closed, taking turns, tidying up, and using indoor voices. It is the perfect book for preschoolers and kindergarteners to begin discussions about the important social and people skills they need to be school ready. Since, Mother Monkey is expecting what humans would consider to be bad manners from her children, be sure to read this book before sharing it with your children so you can be prepared for the discussion about why Mother Monkey is upset by good manners. I really do love storybooks that offer a flipped perspective on life lessons. Stories that are written from a different perspective are innovative, and thought provoking and should be shared with our children.
The illustrations by David Huyck are so expressive and animated that they grab the interest of the children immediately. From the exaggerated expressions of Mother Monkey, to the faces of the monkey children just trying to have good manners, this book is captivating from the first page.
For more info about the author and illustrator check them out at tekavec.com and davidhuyck.com. For more about Manners are Not for Monkeys and other books like it, check out Kids Can Press
July 22, 2016
When the zookeeper moves the monkeys to a cage near the picnic area she doesn't realise the trouble it will cause. The monkeys watch the children and soon begin behaving like them. However their mummy isn't impressed as the monkeys are using good manners she replies with "Manners are not for Monkeys"
I like to read with my children even though my youngest isn't too fussed (she is only 1 though) my oldest is 3 and he loves to look at books, even ebooks.
So the story is pretty straightforward, it is easy to understand and isn't too long winded. The plot develops nicely as the monkeys develop good human manners but this greatly upsets their mummy. I liked that the monkeys mummy was so upset that they weren't acting like real monkeys it gave the story a different spin. It kept my little ones attention although he may be too young to fully understand the story and it's content. The illustrations were great, they were fun to look at and really added to the book.
Overall I think it is definitely an interesting take on teaching children about manners I wouldn't say I loved the story but I did enjoy reading it with my son. It's worth a try if you are looking for something out of the ordinary.
3.5 stars from me & Dex
Thank you to Kids Can Press & Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
I like to read with my children even though my youngest isn't too fussed (she is only 1 though) my oldest is 3 and he loves to look at books, even ebooks.
So the story is pretty straightforward, it is easy to understand and isn't too long winded. The plot develops nicely as the monkeys develop good human manners but this greatly upsets their mummy. I liked that the monkeys mummy was so upset that they weren't acting like real monkeys it gave the story a different spin. It kept my little ones attention although he may be too young to fully understand the story and it's content. The illustrations were great, they were fun to look at and really added to the book.
Overall I think it is definitely an interesting take on teaching children about manners I wouldn't say I loved the story but I did enjoy reading it with my son. It's worth a try if you are looking for something out of the ordinary.
3.5 stars from me & Dex
Thank you to Kids Can Press & Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
April 9, 2016
When the old zookeeper moves the monkey cage to the children’s playground, the baby monkeys learn manners by watching the children, but their mother is not pleased! They should act like monkeys! She wants them to stop tidying the cage, be loud and boisterous and chew with their mouths open. But the monkeys prefer to act like the children. But when some naughty children come visit the monkeys, and decide to demonstrate what monkeys should do, the zoo keeper makes an interesting change to the exhibit.
This picturebook turns manners upside down. Instead of children being told not to act like monkeys, we see monkeys being told not to act like children. The point of view might be confusing. Is it about having good manners? The children at the zoo don’t want to watch well behaved monkeys. An interesting example of behavior (although the children at the end are behaving like the animals they saw at the zoo - I would hope that creative fun children would do just this) this picturebook should be discussed, not just read.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
This picturebook turns manners upside down. Instead of children being told not to act like monkeys, we see monkeys being told not to act like children. The point of view might be confusing. Is it about having good manners? The children at the zoo don’t want to watch well behaved monkeys. An interesting example of behavior (although the children at the end are behaving like the animals they saw at the zoo - I would hope that creative fun children would do just this) this picturebook should be discussed, not just read.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
September 8, 2016
A zookeeper relocates the monkey habitat closer to the children’s playground. After carefully observing the children, the young monkeys begin to adopt the children’s manners. Mother Monkey is dismayed to find her young keeping the cage clean, chewing with their mouths closed, and playing quietly. She insists that manners are not for monkeys - she should see a mess and hear the monkeys screech. Then one day a group of loud, obnoxious, troublesome kids show up at the playground. Immediately the zookeeper realizes her mistake and swaps the monkeys to grateful parents and puts the disagreeable children in with Mother Monkey.
This cautionary tale is humorous. The lanky-limbed monkeys are expressive and delightful. Young readers will enjoy the fun and are sure to have plenty to say about what good manners should or shouldn’t look like. This story would be fun to use when teaching manners and it will provide plenty of talking points when the turn of events lands the rowdy bunch in the monkey house.
This cautionary tale is humorous. The lanky-limbed monkeys are expressive and delightful. Young readers will enjoy the fun and are sure to have plenty to say about what good manners should or shouldn’t look like. This story would be fun to use when teaching manners and it will provide plenty of talking points when the turn of events lands the rowdy bunch in the monkey house.
February 15, 2016
Manners Are Not for Monkeys is an amusing children's book with illustrations to make you laugh out loud. When the zookeeper decides to relocate the outdoor monkey play area beside the family picnic and play area, something surprising happens. The monkeys start to behave, so as not to draw attention and be able to watch the children play. The children start to ignore the monkeys, who are behaving very un-monkey like despite Momma Monkey's warning. The book provides a funny look at why manners are important for children, but maybe not so much for monkeys.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 26, 2016
For some reason we feel we need to tell children about manners at a young age. In my time, there was "What do you say, Dear" and "What do you do, Dear" which were quite funny. Funny helps teach the story here.
And the point of this story? If monkeys can learn manners, and little kids can't? Then the little kids belong in the monkey house. Some reviewers took offense to that, but to me, it was just a funny ending, and won't make kids think that their parents will lock them up if they don't behave. (Or at least I hope not).
Thanks to NetGalley for making this book available for an honest review.
And the point of this story? If monkeys can learn manners, and little kids can't? Then the little kids belong in the monkey house. Some reviewers took offense to that, but to me, it was just a funny ending, and won't make kids think that their parents will lock them up if they don't behave. (Or at least I hope not).
Thanks to NetGalley for making this book available for an honest review.
February 15, 2016
I received an ARC of this book from Kids Can Press via Netgalley in exchange for a review.
Poor Momma monkey gets so frustrated when her wild monkeys start acting like well behaved children but when a group of out of control kids come to the zoo, we see who really should be in a cage.
What a fun book! While I'm not so sure about the lesson, it is a good one to read to talk about manners.Not so sure about the ending but it was funny. The illustrations are cute and colorful. I enjoyed it and I can see kids loving it too.
Poor Momma monkey gets so frustrated when her wild monkeys start acting like well behaved children but when a group of out of control kids come to the zoo, we see who really should be in a cage.
What a fun book! While I'm not so sure about the lesson, it is a good one to read to talk about manners.Not so sure about the ending but it was funny. The illustrations are cute and colorful. I enjoyed it and I can see kids loving it too.
January 8, 2017
Story: 4 stars
Illustrations: 4 stars
This picture book features a funny role reversal between monkeys who live in a cage at the zoo and the children who come to visit. This fictional story is a fun way to teach children manners, and I was all set to give this book 5 stars until the controversial ending. I have mixed feelings about it; it is humorous, but also extreme. Bright, whimsical illustrations add to the enjoyment of the book.
Illustrations: 4 stars
This picture book features a funny role reversal between monkeys who live in a cage at the zoo and the children who come to visit. This fictional story is a fun way to teach children manners, and I was all set to give this book 5 stars until the controversial ending. I have mixed feelings about it; it is humorous, but also extreme. Bright, whimsical illustrations add to the enjoyment of the book.
February 13, 2016
Manners are not for monkeys is a funny book about some baby monkeys copying the manners of the children they see. This upsets their mum when she sees them behaving this way as manners aren't for monkeys! My son really enjoyed this book, especially the illustrations which made him laugh out loud on more than one occasion! It also helped us discuss why manners are important. I will definitely be recommending to mummy friends. Thank you to the publishers netgalley for this advanced copy.
March 1, 2016
This is a fun view of good manners. Mama monkey wants to see her children behave like monkey's, but they have been watching and now acting like the good kids with manners that have been at the park. When a group of disobedient children come and see the monkeys behaving, they want them to act up and jump around screeching. Boy, does that zookeeper have a surprise for them. Beautifully illustrated. Reviewed through NetGalley for an honest review.
March 9, 2016
FTC Disclosure: I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My thoughts: This is hilariously entertaining book about behavior. The illustrations will have both children and adults laughing out loud. It is a great book for discussing expectations for proper behavior.
My thoughts: This is hilariously entertaining book about behavior. The illustrations will have both children and adults laughing out loud. It is a great book for discussing expectations for proper behavior.
July 31, 2016
Are monkeys children? Are children monkeys? Who has the appropriate behavior?
I can also hear readers asking, 'What happened after that? Did the children ever get out?" and such.
This book may entertain, and be used as an opening for manners, but I hope no children get hung up on being locked in a cage if they don't act nicely.
Easy to read black font spaced nicely around each colorful page.
I can also hear readers asking, 'What happened after that? Did the children ever get out?" and such.
This book may entertain, and be used as an opening for manners, but I hope no children get hung up on being locked in a cage if they don't act nicely.
Easy to read black font spaced nicely around each colorful page.
April 24, 2016
A cute story about an exasperated mother monkey who tries to teach her children that manners are not for monkeys. A clever reversal of a usual "manner" book, Manners Are Not for Monkeys introduces what good manners are in a fun way that children will find amusing.
June 7, 2016
When the zookeeper moved the monkeys to the picnic area, the monkey began to act like children. But when a wild group of children arrived, the zookeeper let the monkeys out and locked up the children!
August 19, 2016
Manners Are Not for Monkeys is a twist on monkey and children's behaviors. A good teaching tool if an adult clarifies the appropriate behaviors to young children. I liked the illustrations. I won my copy from Goodreads First Reads.
February 24, 2016
Confusion in the monkey cage but it all resolves in a very clever manner!
March 3, 2016
Cute story. I enjoyed the illustrations and the ending was funny, but the writing itself could use a little polish or something to make it really come to life.
March 18, 2016
When the zookeeper moves the monkey exhibit, a lot of fun trouble ensues.
April 8, 2016
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
The kids at school thought this book was quite funny .
It was a goodread.
The kids at school thought this book was quite funny .
It was a goodread.
May 2, 2016
Could work for storytime. Not really about manners. More of a satire.
May 26, 2016
What happens when Monkeys have better manners than the children who have come to see them? They just might get put in a cage. And they rightfully deserve it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews