Monkey and Me by David Gilman
Puffin, 2014. ISBN 9780143308232.
(Age: All) Thoroughly recommended. This wonderful, heart-warming
story of a young boy who befriends a very nervous, bewildered, but
highly intelligent chimpanzee, is one of the most enjoyable
children's books I have read. Patient leukaemia suffer,
philosophical nine-year-old Beanie, is quite desperate to 'prove'
himself, to be accepted as a full member into his older brother's
gang.
Desperate to save the Sweet Dreams Sweet Factory (that makes his
favourite sweets) from demolition, he dangles a banner from a fourth
floor fire escape and narrowly escapes falling as the structure
pulls away from the wall. Gifted with a wacky sense of humour,
Beanie's good-natured dad, rescues the boy, without reproof.
Exploring the haunted house Black Gate with the gang, Beanie becomes
lost and after being terrified out of his wits, encounters the
hungry chimpanzee who he names Malcolm, in the overgrown greenhouse.
Beanie quickly wins the chimp's trust, bringing him food and reading
to him. He realises, to his astonishment, that Malcolm can 'sign'
certain messages. Not understanding sign language, the lad has to
engage (with a dubious promise of full gang membership) the help of
deaf girl Tracy.
She is able to interpret the chimpanzee's signing and Beanie is
overwhelmed when told Malcolm signs that he loves the boy.
However, baddies Potato Face and Comb Head are out to capture the
chimp and Beanie must save his little friend, especially as the
Police and RSPCA are also searching for the animal.
With his brother's help, Beanie brings Malcolm home overnight, with
disastrous results. Ever resourceful, Beanie conceals the chimp in
the Postie Bag on his father's bike. A crazy ride ensues until the
pair hide out in a trucking yard and stow away clandestinely in a
King of the Road cab, travelling some distance, completely unbeknown
to the driver.
A Roadhouse CCTV is their undoing, the truck is halted and the weary
pair removed from their hiding place. Beanie is relieved to learn
that clever Malcolm is taking part in a Research Programme in Animal
Communication and is in fact well looked after.
Written entirely in the first person, Monkey and Me is
hilarious, thought-provoking, droll and I thoroughly recommend it
for children of any age.
Joan Kerr-Smith