Where Is Monkey?

Part of the Babsy B Board Book Series, Where Is Monkey? is designed for infants ages 0–12 months. This book assists babies who, from birth, are learning that people, animals, and all things around them have unique names. Infants are particularly attuned to animals and people. Child development research tells us that babies also notice, and come to expect and depend on, constancy of things around them. For example, although a person or object may go away, it may also return. Where Is Monkey? targets all these developmental stages while appealing to a baby’s innate interest in the world. This book’s story encourages socialization and addresses constancy through use of the age-old game of peek-a-boo, this time looking for an adorable and mischievous baby monkey. Where Is Monkey? invites oral language development through repetition of language sounds, phrases, and complete statements and questions. Question marks, exclamation marks, and “stage directions” (whisper) help readers model the natural flow of language when asking and answering questions. Such tips also encourage readers to share a sense of mystery that invites a baby’s curiosity and participation. There’s added fun and interaction when readers add the tune of “Are You Sleeping?” to sing the Where Is Monkey? book. With repeated readings and singalongs, an infant learns to depend on constancy of the picture cues and the sounds and rhythm of language. Research and experience tell us that such familiarity and constancy build a child’s confidence and security. Consistent with emerging recommendations from child development research, Where Is Monkey?’s black-and-white illustrations play to the appeal of high-contrast images to infants. The Babsy B Board Book Series includes eight books, two titles for each age category.