ALA Booklist (Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Bernstein introduces a humorous narrative of a bailor and bailee in this story of Owl and Monkey's misunderstanding. When Owl entrusts his friend Monkey to take care of his red balloon, Monkey agrees but soon becomes distracted by the balloon's splendor. Once Owl departs, Monkey gleefully plays with it until he accidentally pops it! Owl eventually returns to claim his red balloon, and Monkey takes one looks at the deflated results and tries to pass off any number of objects in its place. He offers a red chair, a big red fire engine, a big red flying parachute, and so on, but Owl isn't fooled! Eventually Monkey comes clean, but in a humorous closing twist, Owl gets a taste of his own medicine. Bernstein's message about stewardship, responsibility, and trust when caring for another's belongings is certainly present, but the humorous interactions, depicted in Magoon's splendidly over-the-top illustrations in bold colors, thick black outlines, and outsize expressions, are the star of the show. Vibrant art and a comical text make this a great pick for storytime.

Kirkus Reviews

Can Monkey be trusted to look after Owl's balloon?When Owl asks Monkey to hold their balloon, Monkey's excited. Monkey puts the balloon in their toy sock. They tie the balloon to their sock. They hit the balloon with their sock…and the balloon pops. When Owl returns and asks for the balloon back, Monkey tries substituting other items, but neither the pillow, the chair, nor the fire engine tricks Owl. After Owl punctures all of Monkey's prevarications, Monkey comes clean about the fate of Owl's balloon. Owl is so angry that while Monkey is sobbing, Owl rips up Monkey's sock! Now it's Owl's turn to substitute items. Bernstein and Magoon reteam for this second Owl and Monkey (and balloon) tale, following I Have a Balloon (2017), this time addressing owning up (eventually) to mistakes made. Fans of Elephant and Piggie will be right at home with the humor and the repartee (although the entirety of the text is dialogue, it is not in speech bubbles). Though the tale might not model best behavior, young listeners will identify with the two friends. Magoon's digitally rendered illustrations are bright, dynamic, and expressive, with heavy lines, and they reinforce the characters' emotions nicely. The two scenes where first Monkey and then Owl are overcome will have readers in stitches.Good for storytimes on honesty and sharing…even if Monkey and Owl don't have those concepts under their fur and feathers quite yet. (Picture book. 2-7)

School Library Journal (Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2019)

PreS-Gr 2 Magoon ( Misunderstood Shark ) brings his distinctive digital cartoon style to Bernstein's follow-up tale to I Have a Balloon . Owl entrusts his red balloon to Monkey, who's delighted with his own treasurea sock bearing a red star and a "perfectly shaped hole." Asked to hold Owl's prized balloon, Monkey experiments using both treasures, such as hitting the balloon with his sock, which unfortunately causes it to burst. When Owl returns, Monkey asks his friend to hold the sock as he attempts to pass off various red things as the defunct balloon. Monkey finally comes clean about the accident and Owl has a brief meltdown before expressing forgiveness. Monkey offers to have his friend join him in sock play but Owl has obviously misplaced it since he briefly disappears and returns wearing a cowboy hat with a red star and a hole. VERDICT The circular story is comic from beginning to end and is an engaging read-aloud, especially since it has some fun sound effects. Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA