The Farmer and the Monkey
9781534446199 | Beach Lane Books, Simon & Schuster
The farmer has another unexpected visitor from the nearby circus in this humorous and tender follow-up to The Farmer and the Clown
After his new friend the baby clown returned home to the circus train, the farmer expected to resume his quiet and solitary life. Little does he know a playful circus monkey has followed him home! At first, the farmer isn’t sure what to make of his excitable houseguest’s wild sense of fun, but he soon learns that sometimes an unexpected visit can lead to a wonderful new friendship.
Sweet, funny, and full of emotion, this wordless second book in Marla Frazee’s stunning trilogy is sure to become a classic favorite for young readers.
Awards
2020 Society of Illustrators Original Art Show
Reviews
“A disruptive monkey takes up the action in this wordless sequel to The Farmer and the Clown. Returning to his farm disheartened, a tall red clown’s hat beneath his arm and its owner’s circus train speeding away behind him, the farmer initially fails to perceive the circus monkey apparently left behind. Trailing him in a yellow collar and red cap, the monkey bows to the farmer at the door, then launches into a whirl of activity (even crumpling the clown’s crisp chapeau) that gets it sent promptly outdoors. But a fall of overnight snow awakens the farmer’s sympathies and care—at least until the monkey has rested enough to cause further chaos. In her signature art style, Frazee slyly turns the previous narrative of loss into one of antic comedy just right for anyone who has wrangled a toddler: this time, when the circus train returns, the farmer looks downright relieved to embrace the solo life.”
— Publishers Weekly
“Frazee’s soft colors, careful lines, and masterful compositions work their magic once again to evoke mood and feeling in a way that children can immediately grasp. The experience hits adult readers just as powerfully.”
— Kirkus Reviews
“With impeccable pacing, and completely wordlessly, Frazee conducts her drama.”
— Horn Book Magazine
“Sweet, funny, and full of emotion, this wordless second book in Marla Frazee’s stunning trilogy is sure to become a classic favorite for young readers.”–Bookworm for Kids