Monkey Tricks

Reach for this book when your child is beginning to notice the concept of personal property and is struggling with the frustration of a peer or sibling taking things without asking. It is a gentle tool for teaching boundaries and the importance of checking in with others before 'borrowing' their treasures. Through the eyes of James the bear and Horatio the rabbit, children see how one friend's fun can unintentionally be at another's expense. Set in a soft, nostalgic world of toys, the story follows James as he realizes a mischievous monkey's magic tricks are powered by James's own missing belongings. The book is perfectly calibrated for preschoolers and early elementary students, offering a low-stakes way to discuss honesty and social etiquette. Parents will appreciate the beautiful, classic illustrations and the calm manner in which the characters resolve their feelings of being overlooked.