Monkey Mo Goes to Sea - Hardcover

*Starred Review* Ages 3-6. Bertie's grandfather, the captain of a luxury liner, invites Bertie and his monkey, Mo, to come aboard for lunch. Mo is instructed to act like a gentleman, so once on the ship, he picks a gentleman in a white suit, slouch hat, and yellow scarf to imitate. Punctuated by the line, "Monkey see, monkey do," the story follows Mo as he tries to act like a gentleman. His valiant efforts hysterically degenerate after he makes conversation while swinging from a chandelier and dancing on passengers' heads. Mo is banished, but when "his gentleman" falls overboard, Mo follows and becomes a hero by saving him. Like many of Goode's picture books, it's the art that catches the eye, but this well-structured book has a sly story that's as strong as the illustrations. Set against foam-white pages, bordered in custard and blue, the illustrations are as buoyant as the waves, capturing both Mo and his gentleman from different angles that give the pictures as much movement as the hijinks do. The 1920s setting adds flair, and the mannered passengers make perfect foils for the mischievous monkey. Ilene Cooper
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reSchool-Grade 2--"Curious George visits the Titanic" is an abbreviated synopsis of the content and ambience of this delightful period piece. Bertie, a boy, and Mo, his pet monkey, receive an invitation from the child's grandfather to come to lunch aboard the luxury liner Blue Star. At the bottom of the page is the postscript: "Tell Mo to act like a gentleman." At first, all goes well, but things go awry in the dining hall and ballrooms. Rather than engendering goodwill, Mo's attempts to ingratiate himself infuriate the passengers. Just like his mischievous literary predecessor, the monkey manages to redeem himself by the end of the story. Cartoon illustrations of the characters and the shipboard setting contain many interesting period details seemingly from the 1920s or '30s. The formality of the ocean-liner setting juxtaposed against the comical antics of the monkey makes for good farce. Mo will endear himself to youngsters as they will recognize so much of themselves in his well-intentioned, impish behavior.
Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
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