The Farmer and the Monkey by Marla Frazee is a wordless picture book full of wonderful visual examples of compassion, friendship and love. It is the second in the author-illustrator’s The Farmer Trilogy. This story starts where the first story, The Farmer and the Clown, ended. We see the tall white bearded farmer walking back to his quiet house from the circus train where he has just said goodbye to the clown. Unknown to the farmer, however, there is a cute little monkey following him home.
Lonely for the clown the farmer puts the clown’s hat on a chair by the window and gazes at it. All the while the little monkey looks inside peeking from one window to another trying to catch the farmer’s attention—which he does. When the farmer opens the door the little monkey comes in and jumps and whirls about in wild and joyful circles knocking over the farmer’s picnic basket, tub and tablecloth. The farmer orders the boisterous monkey outside.
During the night it snows so much that by morning the little monkey can hardly be seen! The farmer brings him inside for a hot bath, fixes him something to eat, makes him a little drum so they can play music together (the farmer on banjo), tells him a story and tucks him in bed.
The endearing illustrations, rendered in black pencil and gouache, are visual narratives of love and caring. Much fun awaits the young reader when the monkey plays his drum for the excitable farm animals. The last double spread gives a hint of what just might happen in the final book of this adorable trilogy.
The Farmer and the Monkey by Marla Frazee is designed for children 4-7 years of age (Beach Lane/ Simon and Schuster, 2020).
Activity Questions for The Farmer and the Monkey
Look at the double spread illustration of the farmer first inviting the monkey to come inside. What four things does the monkey do to the farmer’s possessions? Although the monkey is having fun, why would these actions make the farmer angry? If this illustration had words what words would the monkey be saying and what sounds would the monkey be making? Be sure to look at the expressions on the monkey’s face. Be the monkey and try out your words and sounds. Have fun!
Why does the farmer decide to let the monkey back inside? How does he take care of the little monkey? What storybook would you read to the monkey if you were rocking him to sleep? Why? What song would you teach the monkey to play on his drum and sing along with you if you were the farmer? If you were this little monkey what song would you teach the farmer? Think about it.Then, let’s hear the monkey sing.
What does the monkey hear that tells him it is time to leave? Study the last few illustrations to answer these questions: Where is he going? What does the farmer give him for his journey? What does the monkey give the farmer before he leaves? There is one more storybook in the farmer series to come forth soon. What do you think will happen?
