Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Noisy Problem

Monkey with a Tool Belt

by Chris Monroe

Inspiration for the Netflix series Chico Bon Bon! Chico Bon Bon has a problem . . . a noisy problem. He wants to fix it. BUT HE CAN'T FIND IT! What's a monkey to do? Use his tools, of course. With his tool belt, Chico can do anything!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Science, Humor, Animals, Construction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Chris Monroe's humor and intricate illustrations draw high praise from reviewers and bloggers alike. Chris is also the author and illustrator of Totally Uncool and the long-running comic strip Violet Days. She lives in Duluth, Minnesota.

Reviews

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a terrible "Arooga! Boom! Clang!" noise in Chico Bon Bon's tree house, but he cannot find what's causing the sound. After searching from attic to basement, he locates the source of the problem: an elephant named Clark is stuck in the laundry chute.

No kidding. How priceless is that?

Chico Bon Bon uses his handy-dandy tool belt, and in just 12 easy steps involving tools like a tape measure, sticky winch, grease gun, and his newly-built banana cannon, he pulls Clark free. Yes, I did just say banana cannon. Awesome.

This is, by far, my favorite of the Chico Bon Bon books. And kids think Chico Bon Bon is the best.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chico Bon Bon is a monkey with a toolbelt. He fixes things for his family and friends until he is captured by an organ grinder from the circus. Fortunately, he has his toolbelt and uses his tools to escape and return home.

[Igpy Kin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to end off 2019 reading challenge. I am invested in this monkey and his many tools. Compelling mystery with a satisfying resolution.

[Laura Haske · Rating 5 out of 5]

My two-year old son loves this story. I've read it many, many times. He likes watching the monkey investigate the noise and gets a kick out of the tongue-twisting list of tools. For some reason, the noise itself "arooga boom boom clang clang" is hilarious. The best part, however, is the illustration of what is causing the noise. We always stop and laugh together at that page.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Chico Bon Bon and his inventive ways. In this story, Chico is awakened by a very loud AROOGA! BOOM! CLANG! CLANG! noise. He jumps out of bed to investigate, already wearing his tool belt, of course. He goes through his entire house making small adjustments, listening to the walls, climbing up a pole, diving into the pool, and looking under the stairs. But he can't find the noise! Finally he peers down the laundry chute and it looks like something is stuck in there. I was not expecting the next page and burst into laughter -- an elephant is stuck in the chute. And an amazingly funny illustration it is. The story of how Clark the elephant got into the chute and how Chico Bon Bon got him out is hilarious. And now Chico Bon Bon has another friend -Clark the elephant. These stories just keep getting better and better.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

We LOVE Chico Bon Bon in this house, and his Noisy Problem book is our new favorite! Cameron enjoyed it so much that we flipped back to the beginning for a reread immediately after finishing it the first time. We liked it much better than his Seaside Shenanigans. Every page of this is a delight, and Chico is still our favorite scamp monkey who likes to solve problems and fix things.

[Emily Storytime · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/13/23 "Construction"
I worried about the length, but it went off without a hitch! Got some good giggles and responses to questions. Some of the illustrations are quite small and detailed, but I had a smaller group today so that was OK. I still wish it were just a bit shorter, but I'm glad my group enjoyed it.

[alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one we loved! The treehouse diagram brings to mind all my childhood house drawings and had tons of fun details for the preschooler to discover. Plus an excellent mystery in that it takes awhile to solve and leads to friendship. Lots of great problem solving and fun tools and inventions!

[Sheron Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Very well written kids book it kept my grandson very interested and my grandson enjoyed it very much not like some children’s book which can be written in a very young style

[Norvin Granada · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another example that if you're a monkey with a tool belt you can solve any problem! Even a elephant stuck in the laundry chute!

Illustrations are fun.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute Read

I read this to my grandson this morning. It was really a sweet story. Rhett loves tools and his tool belt so it was a great book for him.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stinking adorable!

[Paul Graham Terpstra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool book. Very funny and engaging for children.
Great illustration style and colourful pages

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

solid

[Daniella Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a monkey finding out what sound has been bothering him! Music

[R.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute book with lots of illustrations to entertain a young reader!

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, fun little book. Not sure how to feel about certain parts, but it's fun -- and was good for a unit on tools.

[Parsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resourceful book for kids.

[Vera Grkinic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before bed

Lovely read, nice small rhymes. And furthermore, it helps kids to go to sleep. We have read this book from start few times.

[Allison A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite in our house. Love the detailed illustrations and humorous story lines

[DK YAMOAH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 👍

I don't dislike anything this book is great 👍 .The author needs to make more of these books.I loved this book

[Daniel Kingdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

my son loves it

A fan of the Netflix show, for my son this is just the ticket at bed time. Chico, Chico, Chico Bon Bon

[Miss M A Mulligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

So much to look at and a very entertaining read for my youngest. He especially liked the elephant. Recommend 5 stars. Well written and brilliant drawings.

[Niro Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab

Fab love the creativity elements and the fun names
Highly recommend
Cleverly buildFab love the creativity elements and the fun names

[Mrs S · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 starships

My 7 years old enjoyed reading this by herself, lots to discuss plenty of content.
Fab I thanks a lot

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all the safety equipment in this one. And Clark is hilarious.

[Addie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and silly. 2 year old liked it too

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

March 2017 - I like this one even more than the first, because I'm a sucker for pictures showing cut-away houses, and Chico's treehouse is pretty epic. Ben was super excited to see another installment in the series.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very odd story, but is a fun book to look at. The pictures are busy; Chico is trying to detect where the loud noise is coming from and with his tool belt (filled with all sorts of interestingly named tools), he is confident he can fix it.

The source of the noise is very strange indeed, but you can be sure that Chico has a plan. It's a fun story to read aloud, especially with all of the onomatopoeia, and it has (surprisingly) several examples of polite manners that are subtly incorporated into the story.

December 2012 update: our youngest loves Chico Bon Bon and brought this book home from her elementary school library. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more of Chico in the near future.