Mr. Monkey Takes a Hike by Jeff Mack

Mr. Monkey Takes a Hike by Jeff Mack book cover

Jeff Mack’s Mr. Monkey is back for another adventure! This time the great outdoors beckons, or rather, it coerces him into a rather reluctant trek to recover his stolen video game controller.

Mr. Monkey just wants to win his video game. Over and over again he runs, ducks, climbs, swings, jumps, and then falls. He just can’t win! In a fit of anger, Mr. Monkey puts down his game controller and shakes his fists at the TV screen. But wait, what’s this? When a little bird swoops in and snaps up Mr. Monkey’s controller, everyone is in for an adventure! Mr. Monkey chases the bird through town and into the woods, mimicking his video game as he runs, ducks, climbs, swings, jumps, and, inevitably, falls, shaking his fist at his feathered foe. Yet even in the midst of his frustration, Mr. Monkey takes a moment to appreciate the natural world before sprinting off after the bird once more.

Image of Mr. Monkey playing a video game from Mr. Monkey Takes a Hike by Jeff Mack

The comic format functions as an effective introduction to a panel layout, and font choices help differentiate primary text from dialog. The main text is displayed in serif font, while the characters express their emotions through sans serif font within word bubbles. The book even introduces comic-style sound effects with the occasional “SMACK” and “BOING!”.

The repetition of the text works on multiple levels. First and foremost, the simple sentences and oft-repeated chunks of text provide emerging readers ample opportunity to build confidence. Yet the repetition also echoes Mr. Monkey’s persistence; he may shake his fist in anger when he falls, but he gets up and tries again. And again. And again. The situation and scenery vary enough that the repeated text never approaches tediousness. 

Image of Mr. Monkey sleeping from
Mr. Monkey Takes a Hike by Jeff Mack

This books is a strong contender for kid appeal. The humor of Mr. Monkey’s outdoor adventure strikes just the right chord of slapstick paired with subtle wit. Mr. Monkey chases a bird, goes over a waterfall, smacks into a moose’s backside, and bounces from a trampoline to a storefront awning to make it home—what’s not to like?!

The text also lends itself well to multiple readings. As readers grow more confident with the text, they will find plenty to pore over within the images, including a fender bender between a cyclist and a carrot car, a turtle carrying a hamburger on its back, and a cow driving on the wrong side of the road.

Many readers will be able to connect with Mr. Monkey’s obvious and mounting frustration as his attempts fail—first he cannot win his video game, then he cannot get his controller back, and finally it seems doubtful he will even get home in one piece. GRR! But he tries and tries again, and his persistence pays off. He recovers the controller and arrives home, albeit a little worse for the wear and far too tired to make another attempt at winning his video game. Perhaps he’ll be ready to try again tomorrow, after an extra-large dose of fresh air and an extended tech break; as long as he can find his controller...