Common Sense Media Review
Fantastic illustrations amplify funny primate dialogue.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Young Jim Panzee gets in trouble with his friends when someone drops a banana peel on some birds on a tree branch in GRUMPY MONKEY: WHO THREW THAT? Jim denies dropping it even though all his friends accuse him, so he leaves the jungle for the solitude of the desert. Things there don't go as he'd hoped, and soon he finds himself facing a difficult decision about honesty and friendship.
Is It Any Good?
Immersive illustrations and witty words make this graphic novel fun for early readers and their adults reading aloud. Grumpy Monkey: Who Threw That? is great for those new to chapter books, and brings along all kinds of life lessons about honesty, good communication, teamwork, and understanding what's really important. There are facts about primates and a delicious, easy recipe for treats that young readers can make.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about a time when it's been hard to be honest about something you've done, like Jim Panzee in Grumpy Monkey: Who Threw That? What can you do to help other people be honest when it's hard? What would make it easier for you to be honest with someone?
How do you react when you think someone is lying and they deny it?
What other books about jungle animals have you read? Which are your favorites?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Max Lang
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Humility , Integrity , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Studio
- Publication date : September 27, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 5 - 8
- Number of pages : 88
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate
