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Quick answer: The best picture Books About Monkeys include Curious George by H.A. Rey, Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow, Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree by Eileen Christelow and twelve more picks chosen for story quality and age fit. Each book below has a short description, a suggested age range and who it suits best, with a comparison table to help you choose quickly.
Monkeys are playful, curious and full of mischief, which makes them perfect picture-book characters. These stories feature famous monkeys, jumping monkeys and grumpy monkeys, and many are great for counting, rhyming and acting out.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curious George | H.A. Rey | 3-7 | curious kids |
| Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed | Eileen Christelow | 2-5 | bedtime fun |
| Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree | Eileen Christelow | 2-5 | counting fans |
| Caps for Sale | Esphyr Slobodkina | 3-7 | classic fans |
| Monkey Puzzle | Julia Donaldson | 2-5 | kids who miss a parent |
| Grumpy Monkey | Suzanne Lang | 3-7 | kids with grumpy days |
| Hug | Jez Alborough | 1-4 | toddlers |
| Monkey and Me | Emily Gravett | 2-5 | young animal lovers |
| Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake | Jeff Cleary | 5-7 | early readers |
| Monkey with a Tool Belt | Chris Monroe | 4-8 | handy kids |
| That's Not My Monkey | Fiona Watt | 0-3 | babies |
| Little Monkey Calms Down | Michael Dahl | 1-4 | toddlers with big feelings |
| Banana! | Ed Vere | 2-5 | kids learning to share |
| Monkey: A Trickster Tale from India | Gerald McDermott | 4-8 | folktale fans |
| Good Night, Gorilla | Peggy Rathmann | 2-5 | bedtime |
How We Chose These Books
We looked for real, widely available titles that match the theme and the age range, and we favoured books with clear storytelling and strong reputations with parents, teachers and librarians. Age ranges are suggestions, not rules, so you know your reader best. Previewing a book before you hand it over is always a good idea, especially for sensitive topics.
The 15 Books
1. Curious George by H.A. Rey
A little monkey's curiosity gets him into all sorts of trouble. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: curious kids.
2. Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
Five monkeys keep jumping and falling off the bed. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: bedtime fun.
3. Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree by Eileen Christelow
Five monkeys tease a crocodile. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: counting fans.
4. Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
A peddler's caps are stolen by monkeys in a tree. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: classic fans.
5. Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson
A butterfly helps a little monkey find his mum. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: kids who miss a parent.
6. Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang
Jim Panzee learns it's okay to feel grumpy. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids with grumpy days.
7. Hug by Jez Alborough
A little chimp sees other animals hugging and wants his mum. Recommended ages: about 1-4.
Best for: toddlers.
8. Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett
A girl and her toy monkey act out zoo animals. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: young animal lovers.
9. Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake by Jeff Cleary
Mr. Monkey enters a baking contest. Recommended ages: about 5-7.
Best for: early readers.
10. Monkey with a Tool Belt by Chris Monroe
Chico Bon Bon uses his tools to escape a tricky situation. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: handy kids.
11. That's Not My Monkey by Fiona Watt
A touch-and-feel board book. Recommended ages: about 0-3.
Best for: babies.
12. Little Monkey Calms Down by Michael Dahl
Little Monkey learns to calm down after a tantrum. Recommended ages: about 1-4.
Best for: toddlers with big feelings.
13. Banana! by Ed Vere
Two monkeys argue over one banana. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: kids learning to share.
14. Monkey: A Trickster Tale from India by Gerald McDermott
A clever monkey outsmarts a crocodile. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: folktale fans.
15. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
A gorilla lets the zoo animals out at bedtime. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: bedtime.
How to Choose the Right Book
For babies and toddlers, start with That's Not My Monkey, Hug and Good Night, Gorilla. Kids who love counting will enjoy the Five Little Monkeys books, while Caps for Sale and Curious George are timeless classics. For feelings, Grumpy Monkey and Little Monkey Calms Down are excellent.
Tips for Choosing and Sharing These Books
- Read it first. A quick skim lets you spot anything that might need a conversation.
- Match the book to the child. A reader who loves jokes may prefer a funny pick, while a quiet reader may prefer a gentler story.
- Read together. Pausing to ask what a character might feel or do next turns a story into a conversation.
- Visit the library. Borrowing a few titles from this list lets you find the ones your child returns to.
- Revisit favourites. Children often ask for the same book again and again, and rereading builds confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book on this list to start with?
Curious George by H.A. Rey is a strong place to start, and every book on this list is a good option.
What age are these books for?
The books on this list suit roughly ages 0 to 8, and each entry shows its own suggested range.
Should I read these books aloud?
Many of them work well read aloud, especially with younger children, and older readers may enjoy reading them independently.
Where can I find these books?
Most of these titles are easy to find at public libraries, school libraries and bookshops, and many are available as ebooks or audiobooks, which can help reluctant or struggling readers.