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List Price: $14.95 | | Publisher: Redpsych Productions
Salesrank: 325260
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| Our Price: $9.10 |
| Used Price: $10.83 |
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| Media: Hardcover |
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Editorial Review:
This children s book is a beautifully illustrated depiction of a classic folk song by the late Jesse Fuller. A train engineer s pet monkey drives off with locomotive 99, leaving the engineer with a worried mind, The monkey operates the train well despite a near miss with a modern express engine. An abbreviated biography of Jesse Fuller as well as his original lyrics and sheet music are printed on the last pages.
Monkey and the Engineer Reviews:
A rhythmic telling of near-rhymes 
2008-04-10 - Reviewed by Conner (age 4) and Mom for Reader Views (4/08)
The words for this story were adopted from a one-man band songwriter, Jesse "The Lone Cat" Fuller, in the earlier 1900s. It is a rhythmic telling of near-rhymes of what happens when a monkey gets control of the train.
"What did you think of the book?"
"I love it. I like the story. That's all. I love it when the monkey drives off."
"Why?"
"Cause it's funny. That's all."
"Do you think it was right for the monkey to drive off with the train?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"'Cause you need a captain."
"What does a captain do?"
"He drives the ship."
"Do you think the monkey was lucky?"
"No, because he shouldn't drive off."
"Do you think the engineer was mad when he caught up to the monkey?"
"I don't know, no?"
Parent's comments:
I thought the illustrations in "The Monkey and the Engineer" really brought out what was happening in the lyrics. Not being familiar with any of the song versions of the story, I found it better to read the book as a book and not try to sing the story. The near-rhymes require someone who has a stronger musical talent than is in my ability. But I did appreciate the history behind the story and having a place to go where I could hear the song sung. We tried following the story with the music and that made the words have more zing when looking at the pictures.
A railroad engineer and his remarkably astute pet monkey
2008-04-04 - Monkey and the Engineer is a children's picturebook adaptation of a song written by African-American railroad worker and musician Jesse "Lone Cat" Fuller (1896-1976), about a railroad engineer and his remarkably astute pet monkey - a simian quite capable of running the train all by itself! Artist David Opie brings the tall tale of the engineer's monkey to life with vibrant, cartoony illustrations, creating a wonderful storybook distillation of American musical and cultural history. "Once upon a time there was an engineer. // He drove a locomotive both far and near. // He was accompanied by a monkey who would sit on a stool / watching everything the engineer would do. // One day the engineer wanted a bite to eat. / He left the monkey sitting on the driver's seat." Highly recommended.
A Book Your Children Enjoy Over and Over Again!
2008-03-29 - "Again, read it to me again." Those were the words that my three-year-old grandson spoke as soon as I finished reading Monkey and the Engineer to him for the first time. But even that wasn't enough! "One more time," he said over and over until his eyes finally closed, giving way to a much-needed nap. This delightful children's book is based upon lyrics originally written by the late Jesse Fuller, a blues musician and folk artist. Music lovers of all ages will enjoy seeing the original sheet music and reading Fuller's biography at the end of the book.
The colorful, beautiful, and rich art work is striking; the illustrations will, without a doubt, attract and hold the attention of children. Their imaginations will take delight in the antics of the monkey who pulls the throttle on the southbound locomotive when the engineer is off of the train, eating a bite under a tree. The monkey, who usually sat on a stool watching the engineer, had apparently paid very close attention to the operation. However, smart as he was, the monkey did not know there was a northbound train on the same main line. Thanks to the quick actions of the switch operator, a collision is avoided.
The words from the lyrics are easy to read for older children, but all ages will enjoy the incredible detail of the pictures. As a former publisher, I can truly say this is some of the best art work I have ever seen in a children's picture book. Although Monkey and the Engineer is recommended for children between two and six years of age, I suggest that parents and caregivers not allow themselves be hemmed in too tightly by this suggested age group. A budding nine-year-old artist might value the book for its dramatic illustrations, and young musicians might enjoy looking at the sheet music or hearing the original Monkey and the Engineer song by clicking on the link that is provided by the publisher. Consider this a "must have" book to add to your children's library.
Grandparents & Dead Heads!
2008-01-18 - The story of the Monkey and the Engineer is from a song by the famous blues artist and composer Jessie Fuller and has long been covered by the Grateful Dead (in their many incarnations). While this makes the book particularly attractive to "Dead Heads" - this story stands solidly on its own.
This delightful telling of the tale takes us on a fun ride...with colorful illustrations by David Opie that captivate your heart and release your imagination. Children of all ages will enjoy this entertaining story!
It has been said that "the blues" is the folk music of America - I really appreciate the history. The story of Jessie Fuller that is beautifully told in the back of the book helps to make this book relevant to children, teens and adults alike.
I hope that this is just the first in a long series of books based on the songs of the great "blues" Masters! Bravo!
A Fantastic New Children's Book
2008-01-10 - I have six nieces and nephews, so I'm always looking for terrific books to read to them. I was pleasantly surprised to discover an additional fan of Monkey and the Engineer: my husband. When he saw the book's title, he got very excited and sang the song as I turned the pages. What a hoot!
The lyrics, about an engineer's pet monkey running off with the train, are so silly and lend themselves to some classic pictures - the one of the engineer's "worried mind" is hilarious! And the monkey really looks competent in parts, which had me chuckling. The book includes an online link to Fuller singing his song with a harmonica, a nice touch.
I'd recommend this book not only to fans of folk music or The Grateful Dead, but to anyone looking for a fun book to make your loved ones (and yourself) smile. Let this inspiration move you brightly!
