MONKEY PHOTO

Mr. Monkey—usually the subject of tourists’ photos—becomes the photographer in this playful animal tale. Ferocious tigers, colorful frogs and slithering snakes clamor for a close-up, while Monkey snaps away. While not every creature is camera-ready; all are delighted when they see their portraits on display. Chitrakar uses Indian, folk-style artwork to tell this modern story. Large, flat blocks of primal colors, richly decorated with repeating line-work, depict standard zoo animals in a lighthearted, refreshing light. The graphic nature of the shapes and patterns lend themselves to interesting, energetic compositions, offering much to readers who might see themselves in the creatures’ reactions to Monkey and his pictures. Unfortunately, it appears that in the editing process a few of the illustrations were cropped in, making the resolution slightly blurry. Despite this quibble, the spirited monkey and his friends lend themselves to a very satisfying story. (Picture book. 3-6)