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(formerly Don't Wake Up Mama!)
Publisher - Clarion Books
Ages 3-6
“Will combine nicely with Christelow’s
other books for a foolproof story hour.”
—School Library Journal
IRA/CBC
Children’s Choice —1993
Other books about the monkeys...
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| The Story: |
Five little
monkeys get up with the sun and sneak into the kitchen. It's Mama's
birthday and they are going to bake a cake. They'll have to measure
the flour and mix the right number of eggs-and get it all into
the oven in time for the birthday surprise. Can they do it without
waking up Mama?
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| Where did you get the idea?: |
When my daughter Heather
was really little, she liked to get up earlier than I did. I started
writing a story about a little girl who liked to get up early in
the morning, before her parents. I wrote one page. Then I was stuck!
My character was a very mischievous little girl-as mischievous
as the five little monkeys. Then I thought, "Why not write about
the five little monkeys?" So I did! Sometimes my stories get 'unstuck'
when I change the characters.
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| Tidbits: |
The title:
It's difficult to think of a good title. I usually leave it until
the last minute. My editor told me I should title this book Five
Little Monkeys Bake a Birthday Cake. But I liked Don't Wake
Up Mama! which is the title we used.
The problem was many people didn't realize this is another book about the five
little monkeys. So this year (2004) the title has been changed
to Five Little Monkeys Bake a Birthday Cake. I guess my editor was
right after
all.
The illustrations:
1. I drew the line with a number 2 watercolor brush and India ink.
2. I photocopied the line onto watercolor paper.
3. I painted the color with gouache, an opaque watercolor. I also used watercolor
crayon for highlights.
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| Other
Books About the Monkeys: |
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