I am always late to the party, so it should come as no surprise that the first time I make a Flannel Friday post, I’ve got a story that Cate did at Storytiming back in 2011, Sharon did at Rain Makes Applesauce in 2012, and Bridget did just this past January.
What can I say? It’s a good story!
Monkey Face, by Frank Asch, was published in 1977 and is way out of print. My library system doesn’t have a copy at all. I’m pretty sure I first encountered the story as a whiteboard draw-and-tell. I’ve been meaning to flannelize it for a while, and since the theme for next Monday’s Storytime/Craft program is Wild Animals, it was a perfect fit.
I started with the Bongo Monkey image from Ben’s Coloring Pages as a template for the original face, and then I cut the rest of the pieces without a pattern.
The story goes like this:
Little Monkey drew a picture of his mother. He took it home from school to give it to her. He was so proud of his drawing.
Along the way, he saw his friend, Owl. Owl said, “What a beautiful picture! Just one thing – the eyes should be a little larger.”
So, Little Monkey made the eyes a little larger.
As Little Monkey continued on his way home, he saw his friend, Giraffe. Giraffe said, “What a beautiful picture! Just one thing – the neck should be a little longer.”
So, Little Monkey made the neck a little longer.
As Little Monkey continued on his way home, he saw his friend, Crocodile. Crocodile said, “What a beautiful picture! Just one thing – the teeth should be a little sharper.”
So, Little Monkey made the teeth a little sharper.
As Little Monkey continued on his way home, he saw his friend, Rabbit. Rabbit said, “What a beautiful picture! Just one thing – the ears should be a little bigger.”
So, Little Monkey made the ears a little bigger.
As Little Monkey continued on his way home, he saw his friend, Lion. Lion said, “What a beautiful picture! Just one thing – you’ve forgotten her fluffy mane .”
So, Little Monkey added a fluffy mane.
As Little Monkey continued on his way home, he saw his friend, Elephant. Elephant said, “What a beautiful picture! Just one thing – her nose is much too small.”
So, Little Monkey made the nose bigger.
Little Monkey didn’t see anyone else until he got home, where his mother was waiting for him. “Mother, Mother,” he said, “I drew a picture of you!”
“I love it!” his mother said. “Just the way it is.”
Katie at Story Time Secrets has this week’s Flannel Friday Round-Up. Go and have a look at the fabulous posts! Also check out the Flannel Friday Facebook page and the Flannel Friday Pinterest boards.