Monkey: A Trickster Tale from India

by Gerald McDermott

Overview

Monkey is hungry for the delicious mangoes on the island in the river, but he can't swim! How will he get there? Crocodile offers to carry Monkey across the water on his back, so Monkey hops aboard. Trouble is, Crocodile is hungry, too—for Monkey! Will clever Monkey come up with a way to get the mangoes and escape Crocodile's sharp teeth?

Master storyteller and artist Gerald McDermott brings the vibrant colors of India to his telling of this classic trickster tale, which has plenty of cleverness and a sprinkling of mischief.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544339187
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	11/18/2014
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	491,089
Product dimensions:	10.80(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

GERALD MCDERMOTT (1941-2012) was an internationally acclaimed author-illustrator and the creator of numerous award-winning books and animated films for children. Winner of the Caldecott Medal and two Caldecott Honors for his picture books, he was also a consultant to the Joseph Campbell Foundation on mythology in education. His acclaimed series of trickster tales consists of Raven (a Caldecott Honor Book), Zomo the Rabbit, Coyote, Jabuti, Pig-Boy, and Monkey, each of which draws from the folktale traditions of a different part of the world. www.geraldmcdermott.com

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Playfully told with succinct text and illustrations, this tale will appeal to a wide audience. It is both simple and sophisticated with subtle and not-so-subtle levels of irony…Once again McDermott proves his visual and storytelling mastery."—School Library Journal, starred review

"This is a tightly focused tale with a great payoff; playful, spirited Monkey comes out on top while devious and dimwitted Crocodile is left hungry, and listeners are certain to cheer for the cheeky primate’s final victory."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

 

Editorial Reviews

"Playfully told with succinct text and illustrations, this tale will appeal to a wide audience. It is both simple and sophisticated with subtle and not-so-subtle levels of irony…Once again McDermott proves his visual and storytelling mastery."—School Library Journal, starred review "This is a tightly focused tale with a great payoff; playful, spirited Monkey comes out on top while devious and dimwitted Crocodile is left hungry, and listeners are certain to cheer for the cheeky primate’s final victory."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books   —

From the Publisher

K-Gr 3—McDermott has chosen well for the sixth and final volume in his trickster series. Monkey's tale, from the Buddhist tradition, is full of irony and attitude. Crocodile wants Monkey's heart, and he is sure he can get it through trickery. When Monkey needs a ride across the river to get mangoes, Crocodile is happy to provide the ride. More than once his weakness for the fruit just about does him in, but he repeatedly proves his cleverness and spunk. He tells Crocodile, "Your teeth may be sharp, but your mind is dull!" Playfully told with succinct text and illustrations, this tale will appeal to a wide audience. It is both simple and sophisticated with subtle and not-so-subtle levels of irony. The cut/torn paper illustrations are inseparable from the text. McDermott has incorporated several cultural elements into the artwork. The familiar paisley design (known throughout India as "raw mango") is found in the cover art and on the dedication page. The papers from India and Southeast Asia, and hand-colored by the artist, add depth, vibrancy, and texture to the text. An author's note traces the origins and history of the tale and artwork. Once again McDermott proves his visual and storytelling mastery.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

School Library Journal

Monkey wants some mangoes and Crocodile wants some monkey—and neither is about to give up in this traditional Indian trickster tale. McDermott's bright and funny text coupled with his equally colorful and lively collage illustrations ably depict the mischievous, nimble primate and his greedy reptilian foe on a glowing background of energetic orange. In an effort to reach the island where the mangoes grow, Monkey accepts a ride from Crocodile and in mid-journey discovers that Crocodile is craving a snack—him! Can Monkey escape? Using his wits, he explains that the monkey heart Crocodile so craves is hidden on shore in a tree—one that, as it turns out, the croc cannot possibly climb. Next, stealthy Crocodile sees that Monkey has discovered a path of rocks that leads to the island. After gathering a load of mangoes, Monkey scampers back only to recognize a suspiciously green rock that is able to speak when prodded. But Monkey still needs to get back home. Can he outmaneuver Crocodile a second time? Readers will laugh out loud at Monkey's escapades and sigh in relief when he manages to get to safety. This final volume in McDermott's sextet of trickster tales is as full of kid appeal and entertaining as the rest and, like them, will power many an energetic read-aloud. (Picture book/folktale. 5-10)

Kirkus Reviews