Monkey Puzzle

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Monkey puzzle is the tale of a young monkey who searches for his mum with the help of a butterfly. Confusion unfolds as the butterfly uses only the most immediate piece of information when looking for the monkey's mum, for example 'She's big!' declares the monkey 'bigger than me' and using this information the butterfly takes the monkey to an elephant.

I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him). Monkey Puzzle works really well in a primary-school drama session, with the children miming the various animals.

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As the monkey and the butterfly continue their exploration, they eventually stumble upon the monkey's father. He affectionately calls the monkey, urging her to return home. Just as they are about to head home, the butterfly catches sight of the monkey's true mother. Reuniting with her mother fills the young monkey's heart with joy, ending her journey of discovery and separation. I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books. Monkey is lost in the jungle, so he asks Butterfly to help him find his mum. However, Butterfly cannot seem to understand that Monkey and his mum look alike, so attempts to reunite Monkey with an elephant, a parrot and even a bat! This story is fantastic for children learning language. It is full of phrases that kids can join in with and it is rich in descriptive vocabulary. Kids learn body parts, adjectives and describing ability and actions, as well as jungle animal vocabulary. I love the way that children learn that not all animal babies look like their parents in this story. I thought that the butterfly revealing that her children didn’t look like her was very clever.

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Monkey Puzzle" has gained widespread popularity among young readers and their caregivers due to its engaging storyline, captivating illustrations, and valuable life lessons. The book effectively explores themes of identity, family bonds, and the challenges of finding one's way in unfamiliar environments. With its relatable characters and whimsical narrative, the book has become a staple in children's literature. Lots of Julia Donaldson books feature animal characters - from whales to ladybirds, from monkeys to mice! Once the misunderstanding is ironed out Butterfly is more successful and they find Dad and finally Mum! I read this book with a group of 4-6 year old children. We loved using the clues to guess who the butterfly would find based on the information it was given.

The butterfly, though well-intentioned, frequently confuses different animals for the monkey's mother due to its misunderstanding of the descriptions provided by the monkey. The butterfly's suggestions include a diverse array of creatures such as an elephant, a snake, a spider, a parrot, a frog, and a bat. Despite the butterfly's best efforts, these misidentifications lead to humorous interactions and highlight the differences between various jungle inhabitants. This is an endearing story about a monkey who loses his Mum and is helped by a butterfly to try and find her. Throughout the book, other animals are introduced using describing what they look like. This allows the children to interact with the story and guess what the next animal may be. Find sources: "Monkey Puzzle"book– news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( August 2022) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) The butterfly’s babies don’t look like him. Can you explain why this is? What does metamorphosis mean?Fortunately the little monkey isn’t alone for long. A well-meaning and friendly Butterfly appears and comforts him, then they set out to find the little monkey’s mum, together. Poor Butterfly keeps finding animals that fit the little monkey’s description but they aren’t quite right.

We love this book! The illustrations are so great too :). I think this linky is so fab, I will definitely try to join in one week! x Monkey Puzzle or Where’s My Mom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is full of delights for young children. You will find Julia Donaldson’s brilliant rhymes and Axel Scheffler’s wonderful illustrations along with repetition, clues, jungle animals and a great big hug. We have read it over and over again and never tire of it. If you don’t own a copy it is a great addition to your bookshelves at this time of year as Mother’s Day approaches and it is also a fantastic story to read in the Spring as an introduction to the lifecycle of a butterfly. The story begins with a little monkey, alone and lost in the jungle. This little monkey has lost his mum. Look at the different types of punctuation shown in the story. Could you use some of these in your own writing?

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Monkey Puzzle (in the United States of America, Where's My Mom?), written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, is an illustrated children's story book, published in 2000 by Alison Green Books. Donaldson dedicated the book to her cousin's children, Tom, Billy, Emma and Katie. The tale concludes on a heartwarming note, with the monkey and her mother embracing each other. The butterfly, having played a crucial role in their reunion, also shares in their happiness. This reinforces the importance of friendship, teamwork, and the enduring connection between loved ones.