Night Monkey, Day Monkey
on Goodreads (631)
What’s inside...
Night Monkey, Day Monkey tells the story of two little monkeys, one that is awake during the night and the other during the day. They are initially puzzled by each other's unfamiliar world, but soon they learn to appreciate their differences as they see the world from each other's perspective. The story is written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Lucy Richards. It is a warm-hearted and rhyming picture book that focuses on friendship and celebrating differences. This book is perfect for storytime reading and comes with a shiny cover foil.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Night Monkey feels when she sees everything in the dark for the first time?
Why do you think Day Monkey was afraid of the night?
What are some differences between Night Monkey’s world and Day Monkey’s world?
Can you think of a time when you were scared like Day Monkey and how you overcame it?
How did Night Monkey and Day Monkey help each other understand their different worlds?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story. Relate the monkeys’ experiences to your child’s own by discussing times they’ve faced unfamiliar situations. Highlight the theme of friendship and understanding differences, prompting your child to think about how they can learn from others who are different from them. Use expressive reading to make the characters come to life and keep the discussion light and enjoyable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Differences
Explanation: The story showcases Night Monkey and Day Monkey experiencing each other's worlds, emphasizing how things that are familiar to one may seem strange to another.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and respect individual differences among their peers, understanding that everyone has unique experiences and perspectives.
Example Lesson: Facing Fears
Explanation: Both monkeys are initially scared of the unfamiliar sights and sounds in each other's worlds, but they learn to overcome their fears through understanding and friendship.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to confront their own fears and realize that many fears are based on the unknown, which can be overcome with knowledge and support.
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: Despite their differences, Night Monkey and Day Monkey become good friends, showing that friendship can cross boundaries and bring diverse individuals together.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn the importance of building friendships that bridge gaps, whether they be cultural, social, or based on differing abilities.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The monkeys' adventure leads them to explore and ask questions about each other's lives, highlighting the role of curiosity as a driving force for learning.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of asking questions and seeking knowledge to understand the world better, fostering a lifelong love of learning.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: As the monkeys spend time in each other’s company, they begin to empathize with each other’s experiences, showing an emotional connection that transcends their initial fear and confusion.
Real-World Application: Children can see the importance of empathy in understanding others’ feelings and perspectives, aiding in social and emotional development.