Monkey World: An A-Z of Occupations
on Goodreads (9)
What’s inside...
This alphabet book features paintings of monkeys engaged in a variety of occupations, such as astronaut, pirate, cowboy, and queen. The book is written in classic nonsense verse, with hilarious rhymes accompanying bold illustrations. It not only teaches children their ABCs but also introduces them to unusual professions like detective, snake charmer, bass player, and ventriloquist.
Discussion points
What job do you think you would enjoy doing when you grow up and why?
Which animal character's job in the book seemed the most interesting to you?
How do you think the different animals help each other in their jobs?
Can you think of a job that wasn't in the book? What animal would be perfect for it?
Why do you think it’s important for everyone to have different jobs?
Tip: Role play these questions
As you read through 'Monkey World: An A-Z of Occupations' with your child, pause at each page to discuss the animals and their jobs, connecting them to real-life roles in society.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the roles depicted in the book, asking them how they would feel and what they would do in those jobs.
Use the illustrations to engage your child further, pointing out details and asking them to describe what they see.
Relate the jobs in the book to people your child knows, like family members, teachers, or community workers, to make the concepts more relatable and grounded in their world.
After reading, encourage your child to draw or act out their favorite job from the book, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of the lesson.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding diverse occupations
Explanation: Through engaging illustrations and text, 'Monkey World: An A-Z of Occupations' introduces children to various careers from astronaut to zookeeper.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate various professions and understand the role each plays in society, helping them respect different job functions and possibly inspiring future career interests.
Example Lesson: Alphabet recognition
Explanation: Each occupation in the book corresponds to a different letter of the alphabet, aiding in letter recognition and alphabetical ordering.
Real-World Application: This approach helps children in identifying and ordering letters, enhancing their early literacy skills necessary for reading and writing.
Example Lesson: Values of hard work and dedication
Explanation: The characters in the book, represented by monkeys in various jobs, show enthusiasm and commitment to their work.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of dedication and hard work in achieving success, applicable in their academic and personal life.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The whimsical portrayal of monkeys in diverse occupational roles stimulates creativity and broadens the imaginative horizons of children.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think creatively in their play and learning, imagining themselves in diverse roles and scenarios.
Example Lesson: Understanding and acceptance
Explanation: The diverse occupational roles depicted through monkeys promote inclusivity and show that various jobs are accessible to everyone, regardless of background.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to be open to diverse career paths and to appreciate the variety of roles people around them perform.