Apes A-Go-Go!

Gr 1–3—A small, stylish village is trying to win the Tidiest Town Competition for the third year running. When the mayor discovers a single flower that is longer than the others, he calls upon a passing Great Ape who promptly destroys the bed of flowers. When the mayor understandably freaks out, the Great Ape shouts out, "BOGO! POGO! APES A-GO-GO!" and another ape comes to tidy up the mess. When things don't go as well as planned, more Great Apes are called, until there is a path of destruction left in their wake. How will they clean up the town so they can win the competition? Will there even be a town after the apes "help"? Milisic's text has a nice, gentle rhythm to it, making it a good choice for a read-aloud for younger elementary children. Who could resist screaming out the Great Apes' mantra whenever it appears on the page in big bold font? Allen's pastel illustrations have a retro feel, which will make this a popular choice for parents with nostalgia for the cartoons of their youth. Text and illustrations pair well together to create an amusing story that kids will enjoy.