There Were Monkeys in my Kitchen            
Written by Sheree Fitch
Illustrated by Sydney Smith
Nimbus Publishing  $19.95

We at Benjamin’s Books are delighted to celebrate our 12th anniversary this month.  Much has changed over these past 12 years but one of the constants in our life as booksellers is Sheree Fitch.  As a poet, Sheree has been an advocate for independent bookstores all over North America.  Benjamin’s Books is a recipient of her support in a huge way. Whenever possible, Sheree graces us with her presence and her kind words always encourage us to keep going.
 
To celebrate the reissue of There Were Monkeys in my Kitchen, we are welcoming Sheree to the shop again on Friday, December 2 at 3:30pm.  The new version of this classic is wonderful.  For those who aren’t familiar with Sheree’s lip-slippery verse, this book tells the story of Willa Wellowby and her woes with a house full of monkeys. Bouncing basketballs, breaking cereal bowls, hanging off the clothesline and dancing in the basement.  Willa has to contend with it all!
 
The vibrant illustrations are whimsical and chock-full of detail.  Little eyes will be mesmerized by the monkeys in ballerina tutus and apes playing rock’n’roll.  My favourite is that of the orangutans waltzing…  Some children (including ours) will relate well to the sight of the disaster zone/kitchen that the monkeys have inhabited!
 
Mac, our 9 year-old, summed it up well the other day after I read the story to him and his sisters: “No offense Mom, but I like these new illustrations a lot better.”  
 
No offense taken, Mac!