Graphic Pick: Baby Monkey, Private Eye

Baby Monkey, Private Eye
by David Serlin
Art by Brian Selznick
Scholastic Press
2018
192 pages
ISBN: 9781338180619

Available February 27, 2018

"Irresistible"--Booklist, Starred review

Brian Selznick continues to amaze readers--both young and old, artists and art lovers with his black and white (and red) illustrations that depict a range of emotions and pack a wealth of  information in each illustration. Baby Monkey, Private Eye reads like a picture book, but the art makes it a graphic novel and an art study. Targeted audience is ages 4 and up, but younger children will love Baby Monkey's antics, his struggle to put on his pants for each case, and his wide-eyed wonder captured so brilliantly by Selznick.

The repetitive nature of the text makes it an easy read and first time readers will guess what will happen before the page is turned. That is fun and also a treat when they discover that sometimes the repetition changes. At 192 pages, it is a longer read for the  youngest readers but they will discover more and more with each reading. Baby Monkey takes on each case, and the decor art in his office changes. For the opera jewelry theft, paintings and art are: singer Maria Callas, A Night at the Opera (Marx brothers), and a bust of Mozart.

Baby Monkey, Private Eye is a joy to behold and a triumph of mixing art, storytelling and elements of both picture books and graphic novels. Selznick continues to deliver books that defy pigeonholes and genres.

Highly, highly recommended and a MUST!

Ages 3 and up. This book is several art/history lessons.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the ARC from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Young Reader Pick: Nightsong

Nightsong
By Ari Berk
Loren Long, Illustrator
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2012
48 pages

This little gem will leave young readers delighted and in love with the unlikeliest of creatures: bats!

Chiro is a young bat about to embark on his first solo flight at night. His mother tells him to sing a song to the world and the world will answer; this explains how the bat is able to “see” at night. Chiro is to visit the pond nearby and eat his breakfast and then fly back home.

Chiro realizes when he sings his song, he is able to “see” the shapes of trees in the pitch black. He sees birds overhead and reaches the pond where he eats. He wonders what else is out there? What is there to see beyond the pond? He flies until dawn and returns safely home to his mother’s love.

Beautifully illustrated in graphite and acrylic, Loren Long captures the youthful exuberance of Chiro, his bat-ears huge in the dark night. On one two page spread, Chiro is shown close up—his eyes are almost doe-like, his mouth a surprised little “O”. Children will love Chiro and his journey.

The book explains where Chiro’s name comes from. It’s from the Greek word chiroptera meaning “hand wing.” Further, it explains that bats are the only mammal that can fly.

Highly, highly recommended for young readers and anyone who loves beautiful artwork. This is a picture book that can be studied for the art alone.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)