The Monkey with a Bright Blue Bottom

So why does the zebra have stripes?

A Long time ago, at the dawn of the world, a mischievous monkey admires the brightly-coloured birds around him and wonders why the rest of the animals look so drab in comparison.

"So when he was sure everybody was sleeping,
With paintbox and brushes the monkey came creeping."

This can-do monkey takes matters into his own hands, gleefully applying colourful flourishes of stripes, spots, and squares to the napping animals. But when a certain humourless bear awakens, the monkey's brilliant solution comes to haunt him in the end - literally!

In lilting, rhymed text paired with jewel-toned illustrations, this playful story is bound to capture every child's imagination - and momentarily satisfy a few of her "why's".

Steve Smallman has taken up writing his own stories after illustrating children's books for over 30 years. He also teaches illustration and mural-painting workshops in schools. When he's not working, Steve enjoys films, television, gardening and walking in the countryside. Nick Schon was born in London and now lives in Luton with his wife, three children and five lazy cats. He has worked as an art director at an advertising agency and now illustrates full time.