BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jenkins, Steve.2009. Never Smile at a Monkey. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN-10: 061896620x ISBN-13: 978-0-618-96620-2

PLOT SUMMARY
Never Smile at a Monkey is about 18 wild animals, insects, birds, and reptiles. Steve Jenkins has put together a group of wild animals that are familiar to us and some that are not as well known. Whenever these animals feel threatened, they will defend themselves quickly and aggressively. “NEVER harass a hippopotamus” (Jenkins, 2009, 5-6) or it could result in a very violent attack, which could severely hurt you or even kill you. So read on and BEWARE of your surroundings when dealing with the world’s habitats and their inhabitants.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Science can be so wonderful and is a subject that seems to not be taught as thoroughly as it could be. Children love to learn all about animals and their habitats. Steve Jenkins, who was raised with a father who was a physicist, thought at one time that he would also go into science. Instead he went to art school and lucky us. He has written a wonderful, factual book about the aggressive instincts that animals will employ when they feel threatened. Steve has combined his love of science and art to bring us a book that will not only teach, but maybe inspire future scientists and artists alike.

Check out Steve Jenkins website (www.stevejenkinsbooks.com) to learn more about his science background and a wonderful step-by-step process that he goes through when constructing his cut paper collages. It is amazing how many different steps and the thought process it takes to just make one picture. There are many words to describe his work, but for me it would be a true mastery of colorful, detailed, informative depiction of animals as they appear in real life.
The text of this book is set in Adobe Garamond Pro. The illustrations are collages of cut and torn paper.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 1–4—A visually stunning book illustrated with cut paper and torn collages. Jenkins's introductory warnings are gently alliterative: "NEVER pet a platypus"; "NEVER touch a tang." The gentleness stops there, however. "NEVER jostle a jellyfish. A box jellyfish, that is. Most jellyfish can sting people, but….If you are unlucky enough to become really entangled with a box jellyfish, you can die very quickly." Readers may enjoy staring deadly danger in the face, knowing that it is distant and rare. They'll also be treated to fascinating facts about creatures like the cassowary, electric caterpillar, cane toad, and puffer fish. Further reading is provided in the back matter, including an explanation of animals' need for powerful protection from their predators in the wild. This exceptionally well-written portion of the book is generously illustrated. The most eloquent of these cut paper and torn collages are on the front and back covers, which feature a rhesus monkey looking solemnly out, and then opening its large mouth filled with scarily sharp teeth. This superlative illustrator has given children yet another work that educates and amazes.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY END

Children's Literature
Youngsters know that many creatures are dangerous. Here, Steve Jenkins chooses to focus on some whose threats are not obvious. He devotes one or two pages to each of eighteen animals that can be hazardous in a variety of ways. "Never " warns each informative introduction. The sentences finish "pet a platypus," "collect a cone shell," "harass a hippopotamus," "jostle a jellyfish," or "step on a stingray." This liberal use of alliteration leads to descriptions of the unfortunate consequences of such actions. The final advice—"NEVER smile at a monkey!"—warns that showing your teeth may be interpreted as an aggressive gesture, and the result may be violent. Jenkins achieves remarkable naturalistic results with his cut paper collages; he designs his pages using extra-large type for the headings and blocks of regular text for the descriptions. The final four pages offer further information along with a small picture of each creature included in the text and a bibliography. The strikingly contrasting pictures of the monkeys on the front and back of the jacket and cover are sure to attract attention. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

Kirkus Reviews
Judi Barrett may have cautioned readers to Never Take a Shark to the Dentist (illustrated by John Nickle, 2008), and Jean Conder Soule's sage advice to Never Tease a Weasel (illustrated by George Booth, 1964, 2007) has been passed on for generations. However, Jenkins's current list of instructions are for the more practical and realistic explorer. That is, if one happens to stumble upon a cassowary or a blue-ringed octopus. Eighteen alliterative rules showcase the dangerous defense mechanisms of animals found in the wild. Jenkins warns readers to "never pet a platypus," "never harass a hippopotamus" and, true to the title, "never smile at a monkey"-a Rhesus monkey to be precise. Baring teeth can be seen as an aggressive gesture and the monkey may attack. Illustrated with the author's trademark ingenious paper collage, the animals look serene and unassuming, as is often the case in nature. But turn to the detailed endnotes, and jaws and claws are out with a vengeance. Another stunning environmental lesson from an aficionado of animal behavior. (further reading) (Informational picture book. 5-8)

CONNECTIONS
Other Books
Jenkins, Steve. Biggest, Strongest, Fastest. ISBN-10: 0395861365 ISBN-13: 978-0395861363
Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? ISBN-10: 0439703840 ISBN-13: 978-0-618-25628-0
Steve Jenkins
www.stevejenkinsbooks.com
National Geographic
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/rehesus-monkey.html
Free Lesson Plan on Retile Adaptions K-5
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/reptileadaptations/

AWARDS/HONORS
Booklist Editor's Choice citation, 1995, for Biggest, Strongest, Fastest, and 2001, for Slap, Squeak, and Scatter: How Animals Communicate; Scientific American Young Readers Book Award, 1996, for Big and Little; Booklist Editor's Choice citation, 1997, and Outstanding Trade Book for Children citation, National Science Teachers Association, 1998, for What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You?; named to list of recommended books, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), 1998, for Animal Dads; School Library Journal best books of the year citation, 1999, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Nonfiction, and American Library Association Notable Children's Book designation, both 2000, all for The Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest; Booklist Editor's Choice citation, and School Library Journal best books of the year citation, both 2002, and NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended Book citation, 2003, all for Life on Earth: The Story of Evolution; Caldecott Honor book, 2004, for What Do You Do with a Tail like This?