Editorial review
Another Monkey?
By Susan Schwartz
How many monkeys are too many monkeys? In Dr. Susan Schwartz’s Another Monkey?, the answer leads to a charming lesson about generosity, gratitude, and sharing.
Reviewed by CANREADS
How many monkeys are too many monkeys? In Dr. Susan Schwartz’s Another Monkey?, the answer leads to a charming lesson about generosity, gratitude, and sharing.
Based on the heartwarming true story of Schwartz’s son Michael and his collection of stuffed animals, Another Monkey? begins when four-year-old Michael forms a special attachment to a stuffed monkey named Monkeyin. Soon, whenever his family members see another stuffed monkey, they think of Michael and bring home a new friend for him to love. But as his collection grows, Michael begins to wonder whether he truly needs so many monkeys. What follows is a sweet and playful story about discovering that sharing something you love can make it even more meaningful.
The book’s most sentimental touch is its artwork, lovingly created by the author’s six grandchildren: Mia and Eliana Schwartz, Samara and Jonah Goldfarb, and Sydnee and Shayne Deutsch. Each monkey is a vibrant, distinct act of creation that will draw readers in. Their involvement gives the book an endearing sense of family collaboration while encouraging young readers to recognize their own creative potential.
Schwartz utilizes colour, repetition, and expressive typography to create an accessible and engaging read-aloud experience. Each monkey is paired with a coordinating colour, while capitalized and italicized words encourage readers to emphasize particular traits and phrases. The repeated counting and familiar refrain invite children to participate as Michael’s collection grows. Although several pages are text-heavy in comparison with the illustrations, the visual and rhythmic elements help maintain the story’s playful momentum.
At its heart, Another Monkey? guides children toward an important realization: sharing does not diminish what they have; it allows joy to grow. Readers who loved Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama Time to Share will appreciate Schwartz’s similarly gentle approach to generosity. The book is also available in Spanish-English and French-English editions, extending its message to bilingual families and classrooms.
Warm, colourful, and created across three generations, Another Monkey? is a touching family heirloom that celebrates generosity and ignites creativity in young readers.
—CANREADS BOOK REVIEW
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