100 Hungry Monkeys!
on Goodreads (107)
What’s inside...
This playful picture book, written and illustrated by Masayuki Sebe, revolves around the concept of 100 through a narrative-driven counting adventure featuring 100 hungry monkeys. The monkeys go on a quest for food and encounter a monster, whom they initially fear but later realize just wants to be their friend. The story is spread across vibrant illustrations that challenge children to count the monkeys and search for specific items, promoting visual literacy. This makes it an excellent resource for math and language arts lessons in early grades, with activities aimed at counting and identifying parts of speech within the text and images.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the monkeys felt when they were hungry? Can you describe their emotions?
What are some ways the monkeys tried to find food? Which way was the most creative?
If you were one of the monkeys, what would you have done differently to find food?
Why is it important to share food and resources with others?
How did the monkeys work together to solve their problem? What can we learn from them about teamwork?
Tip: Role play these questions
While reading, use expressive voices and gestures to mimic the monkeys’ actions and emotions to make the story come alive.
Pause after each significant event in the book to ask your child predictive questions, such as 'What do you think will happen next?'
Encourage your child to count along with the monkeys, fostering both literacy and numerical skills.
After reading, relate the story to your child’s experiences by discussing a time when they had to share or work together with others.
Create a drawing activity where your child imagines and sketches their own solution to the monkeys' hunger problem.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Counting and Numeracy Skills
Explanation: 100 Hungry Monkeys! uses a fun and engaging storyline to introduce the concept of counting to young children. As the monkeys increase in number, children are encouraged to count along, enhancing their early math skills.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these counting skills in everyday situations, such as counting toys, stairs, or other objects around them, reinforcing their numerical understanding.
Example Lesson: Importance of Sharing
Explanation: The monkeys in the story learn to share limited resources like food. This part of the story models positive sharing behaviors.
Real-World Application: This lesson promotes the value of sharing among peers during playtime or in classroom settings, helping children develop social skills and empathy.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, monkeys face various challenges that require problem-solving skills. This narrative encourages children to think critically and find solutions to problems.
Real-World Application: Children learn to apply problem-solving skills in their daily interactions and challenges, such as resolving disputes with siblings or deciding on the order of playing different games.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The monkeys must work together to overcome obstacles and find food. This highlights the effectiveness of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to collaborate with others in group activities or team sports, understanding that teamwork can lead to achieving common goals more efficiently.