This goofy tale of friendship will appeal to young readers who like to try to solve problems by themselves. They will laugh at the antics of the guild, which have some merit to them, and can be asked why they think Mr. Pip is sad. Readers who have internalized the antics of Curious George might suggest more in the way of bananas and trips to the jungle, but Mr. Pip's fondness for his friend is clear enough that even the youngest readers will understand that he is feeling neglected.

Santat's pictures share the same sense of humor as the text, with the guild all sporty quirky features, from Dr. Lancaster's impressive handlebar mustache to the modified fez that all of the members wear. I thought it was funny that the guild brought in other monkeys for Mr. Pip to hand around, but he didn't speak the same language that they did, and the other monkeys were much more interested in bananas! The palette is heavy on blue and brown, with touches of brighter colors, and demonstrates Santat's style rather than embracing any current styles in illustration.

Readers who like Lane Smith and Jon Scieszka's quirky and exuberant picture books will appreciate this tale of how friends should treat each other.