Three Little Monkeys at Christmas (Three Little Monkeys)
by Quentin Blake
illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark
Date: 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library
A wickedly funny new festive adventure from a stellar picture-book collaboration!
Hilda Snibbs takes her three mischievous little monkeys to stay with her Uncle Gilbert for Christmas. Among many amazing things, Uncle Gilbert’s prized possession is an ancient golden teapot, so the little monkeys must be very good. But what is supposed to be a traditional holiday is soon filled with chaos! Hilda begins to regret bringing the three little monkeys with her – until, one night, their antics come in very handy . . .
Quentin Blake’s delightfully funny story is brought to life by Emma Chichester Clark’s beautiful mixed-media illustrations in this irresistible follow-up to Three Little Monkeys and Three Little Monkeys Ride Again.
(synopsis from Amazon; see it on Goodreads)
This is an incredibly silly story about a woman named Hilda Stibbs who, for some reason, has three little monkeys named Tim, Sam, and Lulu. I'm not sure if they're supposed to be a metaphor for children or if they're supposed to be taken literally. In any case, Hilda takes the monkeys to stay with her uncle for Christmas. Each day, Hilda and Uncle Gilbert go out to run errands, leaving the monkeys alone on their own... with predictable results. And yet, inexplicably, the two adults go out day after day, never seeming to learn their lesson. Eventually, though, the monkeys' rambunctious proclivities end up saving the day... at the expense of Uncle Gilbert's apartment.
The adults are so ridiculously oblivious that it's kind of funny. The silly story is paired with interesting mixed-media illustrations that combine drawings with photographs of real-life objects. The overall effect is interesting, and there's plenty to look at in the pictures.
Kids will probably enjoy the monkeys' antics (and maybe even relate to them a little, especially when they get bored and destructive). Overall, this is a fun little picture book, one that's a bit different than the usual holiday fare. I can see this appealing to fans of Curious George, too.
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
Overall: 4 out of 5
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