Caps for Sale and the Mindful Monkeys (Caps for Sale #4)

PreS-Gr 1--In this companion piece to the beloved Caps for Sale, the mischievous monkeys return to teach the peddler an important lesson about the value of mindfulness. This time the monkeys use their knack for mimicry to help, rather than hinder, the peddler's work. Irritated by the monkeys' habit of following him around, the peddler turns to his friend Essie--a character modeled after Slobodkina herself--who suggests that they may prove to be his friends. True to Essie's word, one day the peddler doesn't have time to make caps, and the monkeys spend all night copying his movements to prepare the caps themselves. The striking, abstract, folk-style images of the monkeys, the caps, the peddler, and even the white tree will be familiar to fans of Caps for Sale. Rhythmic text, repetitive phrases, and predictive questions will engage young readers, and older fans of Slobodkina's work will enjoy the back matter, which offers a history of the book's creation and its connection to the classic tale. VERDICT This title does not have quite the streamlined plot and wit of its predecessor, but enough of the genius of Caps for Sale shines through to make it a treat for children and adults who want to reunite with the peddler and his naughty monkeys for a new adventure. Purchase where the classic is popular.--Anna Stover, Poughkeepsie Day School, NY

As she did in 2015's More Caps for Sale, Sayer continues to build out the story of Pezzo the peddler and the monkeys that both frustrate and help him. This quietly funny if somewhat drawn out tale, based on Slobodkina's notes and employing her artwork, finds the peddler seeking advice from his friend Essie (herself a tribute to Slobodkina) on how to handle the monkeys. "Sometimes what we don't want is exactly what we need," Essie tells the peddler. And she's right: when Pezzo is called away to visit a sick friend, the monkeys, who have been attentively watching him make caps, step in to create more wares for him to sell the next day. A closing spread fills in valuable context about some of the tertiary characters that appear in the story, which can be traced to other books from Slobodkina's bibliography. Ages 4-8. Agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency. (Aug.)