PICTURE BOOK
Mr. Mouthful and the
Monkeynappers
Joseph Kimble | WordFancy Books
34p, hardcover, $21.95, ISBN 978-1-7342097-5-4
Kimble continues his Mr. Mouthful series
(after Mr. Mouthful Learns His Lesson) with this rollicking romp of adventure, excitement, and, above all, the pleasure of learning unusual words. This time, Mr.
Mouthful, “our favorite fancy-pants,” is moseying through town with his sidekick, a pet monkey named Dupree, in an effort to show off their spiffy new threads—an admirable pastime, to be sure. The flashy pair soon attracts oodles of attention, garnering them their own retinue of admirers, but when a soccer game gone awry puts Dupree in harm’s way, Mr. Mouthful and his entourage must come together for a daring rescue.
Young readers will revel in Kimble’s evocative language as Mr. Mouthful expresses himself in the most fanciful terms possible. When a pothole threatens their walk, he cautions Dupree “Such a perilous situation! For your personal safety and comfort, take heed,” and when Dupree breaks out into a dance, Mr. Mouthful sings “Disport, disport.
Strut your stuff.” The neighborhood kids who can’t get enough of the pair make merry in their own way, though accidents abound as they lag behind: an open paint can becomes a tripping hazard (“a most unfortunate outcome,” according to the story’s star), and when the children join in the chase to rescue Dupree from the local ne’er-dowells, a bike crash stops them in their tracks.
Just as Kimble delivers loads of effusive entertainment, Bell’s sprightly illustrations—showcasing the characters as they stumble, dance, and scamper after Mr. Mouthful—overflow with subtle amusement. A pair of thieves kidnapping Dupree sport underwear emblazoned with hearts, the “youth brigade” saves the day with juice box projectiles, and Mr. Mouthful’s green bowtie and matching plaid pants steal the spotlight. In the end, Dupree’s rescue leaves Mr. Mouthful a bit tonguetied, as he thanks the youngsters with his least extravagant speech yet: “Thank you, kids. You saved my pal.”
Cover: A- | Design & typography: A | Illustrations: A- Editing: A- | Marketing copy: A