Gakky Two-Feet
by Micky Dolenz
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Book Summary Information
Author: Micky DolenzIllustrator: David H. Clark
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-05-18
ISBN: 0399244689
Number of pages: 32
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Book Reviews of Gakky Two-Feet
Book Review: 41/2 "Here We Come, Bi-Pedaling Down Your Street..."
Summary: 5 Stars
"...Gak gets the funniest looks from, almost every monkey he meets..." Like author Mickey Dolenz, Gak is a monkey (I suppose Dolenz is actually a "Monkee"), but, unlike Dolenz, Gak is notable for walking on two feet. In fact, he's the first bipedaling monkey in the "Big Trees" community. Dolenz explains that Gak is a hominid, a creature that began to walk around 4 million years ago--in approximately the same era as "Lucy," the famous example of "Australopithecus afarendis." Dolenz includes these facts in a forward, a sincere sounding account of anthropological curiosity. These opening comments make Dolenz seem genuinely absorbed by his subject, rather than just another celebrity cashing in on the recent children's book craze.
While the pre-human setting is remote, the theme is familiar: Gakky's ability to walk on two feet makes him different. The other monkeys call him names ("Gakky Two-Feet"), and Gakky has self-doubts. Telegraphing the story's plot, Dolenz has Gak's mother say: "You should never be ashamed of being different." Someday that difference might turn out ta be helpful."
Dolenz introduces another folktale motif ("The Forbidden Lands")when risk-taking "Frizz" dares the young monkeys to run through the dangerous "Tall Grass," and anyone who doesn't is a "scaredy cat." Gak replies assertively that the thing he's afraid of are "the big cats," the lions who "would have us for lunch if they couold." Gak's argument persuades no one, and, to no adult's surprise, the group siin runs right into the hunting territory of a huge, hungry lion. Gak heroically scoops up a cute female monkey ("Gleeb") who can't run fast because of a childhood accident. Just as his mother predicted, Gak's difference proves very helpful" His two-footed stance makes him tall enough to guide all the other monkeys safely home, but not before the lion makes one last ferocious leap at Gak and Gleeb.
The story flows well, and illustrator Dave Clark's simian faces individualizes the monkeys. (He also resists the temptation to draw them as the musical Monkees, although one or two reminded me of Peter TOrk. Yeah, I know, cheap shot...). Clark uses orange, brown, and other warm tones for the grasses and jungle floor, all canopied by the green jungle treetops. His watercolor and ink drawings skillfully depict action and emotion. One very minor complaint is that much of the nocturnal story takes place during low light conditions, and the pictures are a little dark. Some reflected light would have helped here. Moreover, the lion looks a bit too much like a Disney knock-off, but at least he's emulating one of the best.
Dolenz has a light but remarkably informative treatment of evolution and natural selection. He focuses on how physical features might be advantageous in certain environments, and he cleverly gives a very subtle nod to the role of reproduction: When the rescued Gleeb mentions that Gak would make a "fine husband," her friend asks, "But what if your children are like Gak and walk around on two feet?" Gleeb glibly replies, "THat might not be such a bad thing after all." Dolenz, who looks fit and friendly on the inside back cover, has writing talent that transcends his fame as the one who played the drummer. Still, it's difficult not to remember his past...
"We're too busy singing,
to put anybody down..."
An excellent book for any primate.
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