Chico the monkey carries with him everywhere he goes the tool box of all tool boxes on his tool belt. He is always prepared for emergencies. One day he receives a postcard from his friend, Clark, about the many things that were breaking at his uncle’s beach resort. Together Clark and Chico looked for clues to solve the mystery.

Humor. Mystery. And a wonderful can-fix-everything tool belt. These add up for a great story.

“Next, they walked down to the hammocks.

‘I think something has CHEWED the ropes,’ said Uncle Bill.

‘Yes, I believe you are right,’ said Chico.

‘Kind of a weird thing to do,’ observed Clark.” ( )

The tool-toting monkey returns in this seaside adventure. When summoned to his uncle's seaside resort to repair many broken items, he puts his tools to work and solves a gentle mystery along the way. Monroe's brightly-watercolored pen and ink sketches will appeal to primary-grade readers, and the part-picture book, part-graphic novel format will help students who consider themselves "too old" for picture books to transition. Highly recommended. (92) ( )