The Monkey goes bananas
C. P. Bloom
The Monkey goes bananas
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by C. P. Bloom
The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if a clever monkey spots the biggest banana tree ever, but it’s across a wide, wobbly river? Imagine all the wild tricks and funny surprises as the monkey tries every way to get a tasty banana! Will the monkey’s cleverness be enough, or will the bananas stay just out of reach?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This nearly wordless picture book follows a determined monkey as it tries to reach a banana tree across a river, using inventive and humorous methods. Perfect for early readers ages 5 to 8, it encourages problem-solving and perseverance through engaging visual storytelling. The story is lighthearted and free of any concerning content, making it suitable for young children.
Why we rated The Monkey goes bananas 6C
The Monkey goes bananas is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 38 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Monkey goes bananas works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate The Monkey goes bananas as 6C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, The Monkey goes bananas explores humor, determination, animals, and early reader fiction — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about humor, determination, animals.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781419708855
- Pages
- 38
- Publisher
- Abrams
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction