Selznick, Brian and Serlin, David. Baby Monkey, Private EyeFebruary 27th 2018 by Scholastic Press
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
In this very early chapter book, Selznick fuses his trademark cross hatched pencil sketches with addictively repetitive picture book text in a middle grade novel trim size. Still with me? We learn who Baby Monkey is (a baby monkey) and that he has crimes to solve in a particular way, mainly, by looking for clues, writing notes, struggling mightily to put on his pants, and then immediately capturing the culprit. The pictures are adorable, the text (which is in about a 50 point font)is simple, and the final case endearing to the very young who still want to snuggle with their mamas.
Strengths: Very cute, well done, and introduces the film noir detective style to toddlers. The notes at the back of the book about the details in the pictures for each case were incredibly detailed and pertinent to the content. This is a must purchased for public and elementary libraries.Readers who like Quackenbush's Henry's Awful Mistake and the other books in that series, or that author's Sherlock Chick books are sure to find Baby Monkey uproariously delightful. Be warned-- I can see this book being a huge favorite that has to be read every night at bedtime until it falls apart!
Weaknesses: Falls firmly on the elementary side of the Pilkey Line, so middle school libraries will want to consider whether or not this new effort of Selnick's fits into their collection.
What I really think: I don't feel justified in buying this, although I'm sure it would check out all the time.
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