Monkey and Elephant Go Gadding

Monkey and Elephant #2

by Carole Lexa Schaefer

Monkey and Elephant are out and about in their third adventure. You never know what fun surprises you’ll find when you go gadding!Monkey and Elephant are very good friends, very good friends with nothing on the agenda. So they decide to go gadding. "Gadding?" said Elephant. "What’s that?" "Gadding," said Monkey, "is walking along, looking around, finding something fun, stopping awhile, then moving on." Along the way, Monkey and Elephant meet up with some old friends, and three new ones, too. Beginning readers will love the antics in this cheerful ode to friendship, family, and the joys of serendipity.

Genres: Picture Books, Adventure, Friendship, Childrens, Animals, Fiction

Hardcover

First published March 11, 2014

About the author

When Carole Lexa Schaefer was growing up, she wanted to be both a poet and a journalist. In an unexpected way, she feels she achieved her ambition. While studying for a master's degree in early childhood education, she once put together a picture book made of photo essays. "The lyrical, every-word-counts genre captivated the poet and journalist in me," Carole Lexa Schaefer recalls--and she's been writing stories for children ever since. Her first book with Candlewick, THE COPPER TIN CUP, traces the origin of a family keepsake that's been handed down for generations. "It was inspired by my connections with my immigrant relatives through stories and songs--invisible heirlooms--to keep handing on," she says.

The longtime director of a Seattle preschool that she founded in 1980, Carole Lexa Schaefer often draws on her experience with young children when writing stories. In DOWN IN THE WOODS AT SLEEPYTIME, not one of the baby animals in the woods is ready to go to bed, until Grandma Owl finally finds a way to settle everyone down. The author says she was inspired "by all my friends at Little Friends Preschool who like to play just a little bit longer--even at sleepytime." Luckily, preschool teachers now have some help at nap time: DOWN IN THE WOODS AT SLEEPYTIME, says PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, is a book in which "author and artist make bedtime about as appealing as it gets."


With her next books, Carole Lexa Schaefer switches gears from sleepytime to partytime. FULL MOON BARNYARD DANCE is a rousing read-aloud that showcases farm animals dancing as they learn to appreciate their differences. ONE WHEEL WOBBLES, a zany counting book, follows one fun-loving family on Family Parade Day as they roll along on an ever-increasing number of wheels--Gramma on a motorcycle, Sister on a trike, and Grampa on some snazzy skates. Of ONE WHEEL WOBBLES, Carole Lexa Schaefer explains, "I wanted to create a counting book for children with which they could have a rollicking good time."


Carole Lexa Schaefer, who has a master's degree in early childhood education from the University of Washington, taught school for ten years in places as varied as Taiwan, Switzerland, and Micronesia, as well as Missouri and Washington. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, the author now lives in Seattle.

Reviews

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just sheer delight. I want to get all of Monkey and Elephant's adventures. now.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early readers will enjoy reading about Elephant and Monkey and their day spent walking around their neighborhood and beyond in search of adventure. They make lots of new friends, visit and elderly elephant, and find and give away a hat. All of it is described sweetly and in a way that reassures children that it's okay to take some small risks. I liked the colors of the digital illustrations and the idea of making your own fun rather than waiting for others to entertain you.

[Alyse Erickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monkey and Elephant are all cleaned up, looking and feeling great. Two unlikely friends who want to do something fun! They don't want to just sit around being bored so they decide to go gadding. During the three chapters they go on adventures together exploring the wilderness, meeting new friends, and making new friends, while running into old ones as well.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great early reader book - it has some unusual vocabulary, new friends, and fun travels. Also, there are phrases that direct readers to look at the pictures (which are lovely, large, and colorful) and become more invested in the story. A fun adventure!

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Monkey and Elephant book. I like how they make up their own word for making up their own fun times when they are bored. The crazy babies were my favorite. I also love the colorful pictures. That is all, my dear folks.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who wouldn't want to gadding? Monkey and Elephant spend the day on an adventure filled with surprises ~ simple pleasures.

[Kaitiebeth Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it because they found Uncle Phump. I didn't like it because Uncle Meemee scared them.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the friendship of Monkey and Elephant. You can never have too many friendship books in chapter books! I also love the vocabulary word, "gadding", and teaching about this wholesome habit!

[Katheirne Morales]

Summary: Monkey and elephant go gadding. Gadding is, as explained by monkey, "walking along, looking around, finding something fun, stopping a while, then moving on." In chapter 2 they come upon Uncle Phump who gives them each a hat from his new hat house. Monkey thinks the berries on her hat are good for eating. Chapter 3 they meet monkeys causing Mimi and her three babies. Elephant looks little uncomfortable around the children. They take off their hats and go swimming together. They splashed around in the pond with great fun. The babies fell asleep inside the hat and Monkey, Elephant and Mimi have a a snack. Monkey tells Mimi to keep the hats. They loved their day of fun surprises.

Questions: 1. Who are the characters in this book and how would you describe them? 2. What is the relationship between Monkey and Elephant? 3. In your own words what was the book about? 4. What would have happened if Monkey had not left her hat with Mimi? 5. How are monkey and Elephant the same and different?

Citation: Schaefer, C. L. (2015). Monkey and elephant go gadding. Place of publication not identified: Candlewick Press.