Apr 09, 2013 | 48 Pages | 5-9 years
There’s a Horton-esque quality about Bernstein’s Elephant throughout, and both he and Monkey exude personality. This achievement in visual characterization is matched by Schaefer’s text, which employs controlled word choices and embeds careful repetition in support of the emerging reader. A welcome addition to the early-reader shelf.
—Kirkus Reviews
Schaefer’s rich and witty dialogue will charm and amuse early chapter-book readers. The digitally created cartoonlike characters are brimming with emotion and often surrounded by distinctive patterns of sunshine, leaves, and grasses. Children comfortable with Arnold Lobel’s FROG AND TOAD ARE FRIENDS (HarperCollins, 1970) and Wong Herbert Yee’s UPSTAIRS MOUSE AND DOWNSTAIRS MOLE (Houghton, 2005) will enjoy reading about Monkey and Elephant.
—School Library Journal
This charming early chapter book is reminiscent of Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad series. One can envision subsequent Monkey and Elephant adventures lining the shelves of the library. The animals’ friendship is genuine and they help each other out with humor and through the use of numerous action vocabulary words.
—Library Media Connection
