Big Little Monkey by Carole Lexa Schaefer, illustrated by Pierre Pratt Ages 4-8 32 pages Candlewick September 2008 Hardcover     In Big Mango Tree, Little Monkey wakes up early one morning to find the rest of his family still asleep. Nothing he does - from tickling their toes to singing in their ears - will induce them to wake up and play with him. Little Monkey tries to be still and patient as his Mama suggests, but his tail is twitching and his feet are itching. He decides to leave the safety of Big Mango Tree in search of someone with whom he can play. His adventures that morning have him hanging upside down with Sloth in the cecropia tree and showing off his singing prowess to an outraged Parrot. However, Sloth is too steady and slow and Parrot is too squawky, so Little Monkey sets off once more in search of a playmate. But when he encounters the sly and sinister Boa wrapped around a tree, Little Monkey decides that it’s time to return to the safety of his family. Even though he’s a big little monkey now, sometimes he is still Mama’s Little Monkey, too. Author Carole Lexa Schaefer has written a warm and funny book about growing up and seeking one’s independence while always having the safety net of a home and family to which one can return. Little Monkey has oodles of personality - his brash charm and bravado are amusing and rather touching. Brightly colored acrylic artwork by Pierre Pratt brings the lush, tropical jungle to life and is sure to please any budding nature lover. Recommended!     web reviews   Usha Reynolds/2009 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)