Where's Chimpy? by Berniece Rabe

From the Publisher

It's bedtime, but Misty can't go to sleep - her toy monkey is missing! Misty has Down syndrome, but that doesn't mean she acts differently from any other child. As she and Daddy retrace all the places she went during the day, they seem to find everything but Chimpy, until...

Publishers Weekly

The author of The Balancing Girl has written a story about Misty, a girl who is all ready for bed, but has lost her stuffed chimp. Her father helps her retrace the events of her day, but as they return together to the places she played, Misty finds many toys, but not Chimpy. Finally he is found in the bathroom, half-hidden by a towel, and Misty ecstatically hugs him. A logical, well-thought-out story is enlivened by photos of Misty and her father. That Misty is a Down's syndrome child is of no importance to the plot, only explained in a preface and in the author's note at end. Readers will simply see a beaming child playing, bathing and sleeping, and Misty will endear herself to those engaged in her hunt for Chimpy. Ages 2-7. (August)

Children's Literature

This is a joyous photo essay of Misty, a little girl with Down syndrome. When she discovers her toy monkey is missing, she and her father recall her day's activities in order to find Chimpy. Misty's day is like all other 4-year-olds. She is irresistible!

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2 Misty cannot go to bed without her stuffed monkey, Chimpy. She and her father look for it throughout the house and the yard until Chimpy is found at last, under a towel, and Misty finally goes to bed with her toy, after helping her father find his glasses. This is a simple book made different because it is a photographic story and because the little girl has Down syndrome. It thus becomes a photo essay on the fact that children with disabilities can and do enjoy the same things other children do. The full-color photographs are posed to go with the story, showing Misty looking for her animal, playing with her friends, and expressing her feelings. Misty definitely steals the show in the pictures. A brief introduction about Down syndrome is included. This would be a good book to share with children when discussing handicaps, particularly as it shows a disabled child participating in and enjoying regular play instead of concentrating on the differences. Margaret C. Howell, West Springfield Elementary School, Fairfax County, Va.

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