Ten Monkey Jamboree
By Dianne Ochiltree
Illustrated by Anne-Sophie Lanquetin
Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster 2001
ISBN 0-689-83402-0 Hardbound
Children's Fiction
Ages 4-8

Reviewed by Beverly J. Rowe, MyShelf.Com
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Ten monkeys teach kids some new math tricks with their lively antics in their "Tail-tangling, tree dangling, jungle jamboree." These fanciful, bright illustrations of cute monkeys wearing colorful shorts show us just how many ways monkeys can have fun in the jungle. The imaginative, rhyming text takes us on a lively romp that begins with one lonely monkey extending his plea; "Monkeys, monkeys, play with me. Monkey fun takes more than one."

The monkeys' adventures are hilarious as they show us just how many combinations of monkeys add up to ten. They even outwit the greatest menace of the jungle with a "tiger-racing, monkey chasing, jungle jamboree."

The monkey counting is done without numerical figures, and can introduce children to word numbers and reinforce their counting skills. This story is great fun to read aloud to younger children, and for early elementary students to enjoy on their own.