Where's Chimpy?

by Berniece Rabe

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...

Genres: Picture Books, Disability, Childrens

ebook

First published June 1, 1988

About the author

While growing up in a large sharecropping family in Missouri during the Depression, Berniece Rabe Tryand practiced telling stories to herself. When she was 40, a teacher at Elgin Community College inspired her to use those storytelling skills to become an author, leading her to write 17 books, several of which won awards.

Ms. Tryand’s 1978 book “The Orphans” (Dutton Juvenile) won the Society of Midland Authors award for best children’s nonfiction. Ms. Tryand, who wrote under the name Berniece Rabe, also was nominated five times for the American Library Association’s Newbery Medal and won the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ Golden Kite award, the National Children’s Choice Award and two Best of the Decade awards.

Ms. Tryand met her first husband, Walter Henry Rabe, in Panama during World War II while she was modeling a line of fashions and he was in the Army. They were married in 1946 and organized the first Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation in Elgin. Walter Rabe died in 2005 after a 59-year-marriage, and Ms. Tryand married James Tryand of Plano in 2009.

She is survived by James Tryand; her three sons Alan, Brian and Clay Rabe; her daughter Dara Rabe Sandland; 10 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were two things I really liked about this book. One is that the illustrations are color photographs, depicting the real Misty and her father, who are neighbors of the book’s author. Even though pictures of real people may mean that a book feels dated quickly, I like the use of photographs in children’s books so the children who read them can more easily identify with the characters – they might have the same toy, or haircut, or sofa, and it’s a special moment of recognition for the reader.

The other thing I really liked is that Misty, the main character of the book, has Down syndrome, but this wasn’t the driving factor of the plot. In fact, Down syndrome isn’t mentioned at all in the text of the story, only in an introductory page before the story starts (that most readers would skip). Though for some children in a classroom, Misty’s appearance without explanation might raise questions, for families of children who live with Down syndrome, or have friends or other family members with Down syndrome, that spark of recognition from a photo of Misty might be followed by a realization that, “she’s not that different from me.” The plot of this book reminded me of Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems. I think the experience of misplacing a cherished toy is nearly universal for children, and it gets a lighthearted treatment in this book.

[Dana Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This real-life story is about a little girl named Misty Spurlock; who has Down Syndrome and her adventures in finding her toy monkey, whom she calls Chimpy. The dialogue for the entire story is between Misty and her father and takes place as Misty is getting ready for her bedtime story. The author, Berniece Rabe and photographer Diane Schmidt, have thoughtfully captured the importance of Chimpy in Misty's life. As Misty and her father retrace Misty's steps throughout the day, Misty is able to remember where and when she last played with Chimpy. In retracing her steps, Misty is able to find her other "lost" toys (ex. Joseph Doll and Happy clown on the swing set, pink purse in the front seat of the family vehicle, a necklace in the sofa). As a teacher, I will use this text to show my students that with determination and perseverance, all things are possible. The author's background in teaching students with disabilities allows her to tell the story through the real-life experiences of a child. The beautiful photographs went along exceptionally well with the text.

[Jade Ralston]

This book is a great book to have in the classroom. It has a character who has down syndrome and it is about her and her father. It is a multicultural book. It is sweet showing her father helping her retrace her steps. It shows their relationship and how if you are determined you can accomplish what you need to, whether big or small. The pictures were nice and went along with the story. I think it is nice because it does not focus on her disability, but shows that she is a normal child.

[Debbi]

This woman was a friend and an early mentor. I decided to buy all of her books and read them in sequence. What an interesting experience! I love her style--clear and age-appropriate, but she doesn't "talk down" to anyone. Those that echo her childhood are captivating. Those that speak to children in her life are tender. All have funny moments, real conflicts, and resolution. It was like talking to her again. Thank you, Berniece.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book to read to students to help them undrstand that people with disabilities still experience the same things that they do. The pictures are old but they are still appropriate to the text.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young down syndrome girl and her dad get ready for bed but her stuffed monkey is missing. Where could it be? They set off remembering the day and trying to find it. One on one for length. great finding and counting aspects.

[Jesse Freedom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was adorable, and about a situation that most children can relate too. I also liked the lesson on retracing your steps and counting. It's also great to see a protagonist with Down Syndrome, in a story that has nothing to do with their condition. I rate this book 9.5/10 stars.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book about a little girl with Down Syndrome. She loses her Monkey so they retrace all of her steps to find it. It shows that we all go through the same things in life no matter our differences.

[Amber]

1 copy

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with a protagonist who has Down Syndrome! I love seeing real pictures for once, too.