I Love You, Little Monkey

by Alan Durant, Katharine McEwen (Illustrator)

Little Monkey is being naughty. So Big Monkey gets very angry and Little Monkey ends up very sad.

But even though Big Monkey doesn't always like the naughty things Little Monkey does, one thing is

Big Monkey loves Little Monkey.
Always.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Love, Animals, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 2006

About the author

Alan Durant is the author of books for a wide age-range, from picture books such as Burger Boy to top-end teenage thrillers (Blood, Flesh and Bones). Having worked as a copywriter at Walker Books, he is now a full-time author.

He's married, with three children and lives just outside London. He does a lot of school visits throughout the UK and abroad and also runs writing workshops.

Reviews

[Chloe Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I may not like the naughty things you do sometimes, but I love you always, even when you’re naughty.”

This book was a lovely and heartwarming stories about 2 monkeys, one older monkey and another young and mischievous monkey. The book demonstrates that although children can be naughty and make mistakes sometimes, they are still loved and valued by their peers, carers and parents. It also contains messages about adults being too busy to play sometimes (including parents, teachers, siblings etc) and how that doesn’t mean they are loved any less, that life can just get in the way sometimes.
This book could also teach the teachers as well about forgiveness and moving forwards, and about how we should make time for those we love, especially as the paperwork and planning can get on top of us.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations in this are bright, lighthearted and beautiful.

* Talking points: Thinking things through before we do them, making restitution when we have done things wrong. How our parents love us no matter what. How you don't have to like what a person does to love them - You can even hate what they do and still love them. How shouting is never good.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

We got a bunch of new kids books. This one seems like it is for bad kids or kids who don't listen. The message is that the parent will love the child even though the child does bad things.

This is not a new favorite.

[zunggg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gendreless monkey parent makes no attempt to bring up annoying offspring properly. I shouldn't single this out, but this is yet another example of attractive art, bog-standard text. Just because you're writing for kids, doesn't mean you give up on the writing!

[Jackie Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a lovely, funny, caring and kind book. Just like the title "I love you little monkey!"

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable book

[Charlotte Whiteing · Rating 3 out of 5]

They didn't need to write little monkey and big monkey every sentence, I ruined the flow half the time

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, easy to read aloud, good read aloud length for storytime.

[Saunders Awards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book for caregivers of young children. It features a non-gendered "big" monkey caring for a non-gendered "little" monkey. The theme across the situations is subtly that getting chores done can go more smoothly when a kid is involved as a helper. The big monkey also models talking about feelings, admitting fault, and repairing relationship breaks. I don't like the use of the label "naughty" in the story.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of a silly little book but the big monkey getting mad at the little monkey really struck home to me since that is often how I handle things with my 3 year old. A sad, but good reminder to me of how I need to respond differently, more kindly to my cute boy. Could be a good conversation starter with kids on how mom and dad aren't perfect and mess up, but that we're trying and want to be better and nicer!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are really cute and the story is pretty good for a toddler. It basically emphasizes that kids do a lot of annoying "naughty" things but we still love them no matter what. My daughter really loved it. It was also nice that she could narrate the story just by looking at the pictures. There is so much detail on every page and she has a great time looking at this book.

[Kathy Ellen Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love monkeys so I gave this one a shot.
It's very sweet and reassuring.

Little Monkey is quite naughty,
and while's playing, he's constantly messing up Big Monkey's plans.

They do talk at the end though and realize that
they love each other no matter what.

Very cute, colorful illustrations!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Monkey is naughty when he is told to climb a tree, swing and jump, and play...maybe he justs wants a little attention from Big Monkey. But, Big Monkey is ALWAYS too busy. A sweet little story about unconditional love.

Used for "A Little Monkey Business" storytime-January, 2010.

[Farren Bogar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have called my son monkey sence he was born, when we read this one he says "His daddy loves him always like you always love me?" and I say "always monkey man" one night he followd with "I love you even when your naughty too mom" lol

[Danie Cutter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again another book that little miss likes but doesn't really strike home with me. It's pleasant enough and the pictures are nice but there's no wonderful prose or anything to really make this book stand out from the crowd.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

not the greatest book Ive ever read, but would be good for first-second grade. good book for Valentines day. the author did not name the monkey, Little monkey and Big monkey. Not an easy to read book

[Jakob · Rating 5 out of 5]

about a monkey that has a mom and baby monkey keeps missing everything up.

[Haley Sterritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be great for families to read to children as well as teachers to students. Shows that even when children misbehave, we still love them. Also has onomatopoeia.

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot and could repeat some of the lines when Mummy was reading it to me. I loved giving mummy a big hug when big monkey gives little monkey a big hug.
(2yrs 3mths)

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story about a Big Monkey dealing with his rambunctious Little Monkey. Nice theme of loving someone always, even when they're naughty.

Good, if pretty standard, illustrations.

[Sagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish that little monkey was real so I could hug him like the big monkey because I bet his fur is so soft! --Sagan :D

[SoJo Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good message for parents to stop worrying so much about chores and play with their little ones.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a really good children’s book. I think every kid should read it.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are colorful and eye pleasing, and the story's message is sweet.