About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is stuck in a grumpy mood and needs a gentle nudge toward a sunnier outlook. This near-wordless picture book follows a little girl whose bad day seems to be getting worse, even on a trip to the zoo. But when she sees a group of gloomy penguins, she decides to do something silly to cheer them up, and in doing so, transforms her own feelings. It’s a wonderful, visual demonstration of how empathy, kindness, and a little bit of humor can turn frustration into joy. Perfect for pre-readers, it models a healthy way to process big feelings by shifting focus outward.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
N/A. The book's conflict is a very common and mild childhood experience: a bad mood.
Ideal Reader
A preschooler (age 3-5) who gets stuck in a grumpy mood and has trouble self-regulating. It's for the child who is stomping their feet and crossing their arms, unable to articulate their feelings but in need of a way out of their emotional funk. It also works for children learning about empathy.
Parent Prep
No preparation is needed. The visual storytelling is clear and intuitive. A parent could point out the book's title, 'Monkey Walk,' and ask the child why they think it has that name when the girl waddles like a penguin, opening a fun, low-stakes conversation. The parent has just witnessed their child descend into an inexplicable, stubborn bad mood. The child is rejecting all attempts to be cheered up and is radiating frustration. The parent is looking for a gentle, non-preachy way to break the cycle.
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