Speedy Monkey

Speedy Monkey by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Chantelle and Burgen Thorne
 
Deep in the rainforest, everything is peaceful and calm — until Speedy Monkey arrives. He is curious, noisy and always on the move, whooping, swooping, prancing and dancing while the other animals long for a little quiet.
 
When their patience runs out, Speedy finds himself alone at the edge of the forest. Then a fierce storm approaches and the animals need someone who can move quickly, make himself heard and warn the whole community in time.
 
Jeanne Willis’s warm, energetic story has the shape of a traditional animal fable, while Chantelle and Burgen Thorne’s rich full-colour illustrations carry movement, rainforest atmosphere and emotional expression across the pages. Divided into chapters, it offers the satisfaction of a proper sustained story with far more visual support than a text-heavy novel.
 
Funny, reassuring and thoughtful, Speedy Monkey celebrates being yourself while also making room for other people’s needs. It is an inviting bridge from picture books to first chapter books for children beginning to build fluency and reading stamina.