Caps For Sale: The Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business

Written by Esphyr Slobodkina

Narrated by Peter Fernandez

Awakening from a well-earned nap beside a stout tree, an itinerant cap peddler finds that his wares have been confiscated by a band of feisty monkeys cavorting in the branches overhead. In reply to his commands to return the caps, the monkeys simply imitate – and so further anger – the peddler.

Finally, by throwing down his own cap in frustration, the salesman unwittingly outwits the monkeys as they follow his example.

Children will delight in following the peddler’s efforts to outwit the monkeys and will ask to read it again and again. Caps for Sale is an excellent easy-to-read book that includes repetition, patterns, and colors, perfect for early readers.

A Live Oak Media audio production.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Live Oak Media
• Release date: Jan 1, 1987
• ISBN: 9781430115205

Reviews for Caps For Sale

[sweetiegherkin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A hat salesman wakes up from a nap to a startling surprise -- all of his wares have been stolen by monkeys! How can the frustrated peddler get his caps back?This is a classic of children's literature, and I can't believe it took me this long to finally read it. It is humorous and can be interactive in a readaloud with all the various motions (the peddler checking his high lineup of hats, the peddler shaking his finger at the monkeys, etc.). It also has some repetitious phrases, which children tend to enjoy in readalouds. It is a tiny bit on the longer side so it would probably work best with preschool-age and up. The illustrations fit the text nicely.

[wichitafriendsschool · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fun book to read aloud to kids! The repetition of the peddler's "caps for sale!" and the interactions with the monkeys are silly and fun. The illustrations are beautiful, and seem to be reminiscent of the author's Russian heritage. All the action in the book is plausible. The monkeys seem to act slyly, craftily, and cunningly, which is how monkeys behave in real-life, as well.

[madelynmaxwell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is fun when a peddler is trying to sell caps and is unsuccessful. So he then decides to take a nap under a tree which is full of mischievous monkeys who make it hard for him when he wakes up.

[yhwhisyeshua · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved making the monkey sounds when reading this to my boys.

[sheila1957 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The peddler carries his caps on his head. When he wakes up from a nap his caps are missing. He looks up and sees a tree full of monkeys wearing his caps. He cannot figure out how to get the caps back and he get frustrated.This is a classic tale. I liked how the peddler showed his frustration and the monkeys followed suit. It teaches children about imitation. It also got the peddler back his caps. It is a fun, easy read.

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just one of those classics that's perfect the way it is. It does seem kind of old-fashioned at first, but timeless is a beter pov. Hilarious fable. I've read it many times - the date is a guess as to the most recent time with my youngest.

[michael_rose-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kids books like this aren't exactly plot heavy, but they're fun. I remember my kindergarten class putting on a play variant of the book (sort of). Fun times.

[rachelbowers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A great read for early learners, this book is full of colors, repetition and patterns. It is a bit of an older book, but it is a classic. A funny read that once children hear or read themselves will want to experience the story over and over again.

[karleesampson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is very dear to my heart. My grandpa Bob used to always read this to me.

[mwade4-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A cap salesman was selling his caps and decided he would take a nap in the countryside. When he woke up he realized that he was missing all of his caps. His caps were stolen by some monkeys who were sitting in the nearby tree. He ordered the monkeys to give him back his caps. The caps salesman threw down his own cap in frustration and the monkeys then threw back down all of the caps. The peddler walked away and continued his walk through the town in attempts to sell his caps. This is a classic book for young children. They will see a lot of repetition and imitation between the peddler and the monkeys. There is a large use of patterns and colors throughout the story as well. Children will love to see what antics the monkeys cause with the peddler. I feel that most children would not pick this book over others though. With this book being published in 1987, children will be more interested in more current literature. The author did a good job of using simple text for children to portray his message. The author's central message is to persevere through difficult times as a salesman, and in more general terms just life in general. The peddler had to persevere and find a way to get his caps back in order to get back to selling them to the town.

[sarabeck-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In my opinion, this is a good book. One of the main reasons I liked this book was because of the language used throughout the story. The author used repetition frequently; whether it be describing the sequential order of the caps on the peddlers head or when he was attempting to outwit the monkeys to get his caps back, it was an integral element of this story. When he was trying to get his caps back, the peddler says to the monkeys, “You monkeys you", "you give me back my caps." Each time he said this he followed by either shaking his finger to stamping his foot, to which the monkeys mimicked his actions. Finally, the peddler throws his own cap on the ground and the monkeys do the same! I thought that the repetition was really useful because it gave the book a predictable and entertaining pattern that all readers can enjoy. I also enjoyed the plot of this story with how it was organized. The story started and ended the same way, with a conflict in the middle. I thought how the repetitions and patterns aided in unfolding the conflict were really funny and engaging. The illustrations were also another reason I liked this book. The colors were very rich and vibrant and had a reoccurring color scheme of red, green, blue, black, brown, and white. I think this reinforced the repetition present throughout this book and enhanced the story’s pace by helping it progress. The big idea of this book is that one must be persistent with their efforts to overcome a conflict and show the desired results explicitly if one wants to prevail.

[mdierd1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys, and Their Monkey BusinessBy Esphyr Slobodkina (1987)I liked Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys, and Their Monkey Business by Esphyr Slobodkina for three reasons. First, I liked the actions displayed by the monkeys. Specifically, the monkeys steal the peddler’s hats, and mimic his every action; for example, the peddler shakes his finger, and the monkeys shake their fingers back at him. Therefore, the monkeys are quite amusing. Second, I liked the photos in the book. The photos have a reoccurring color scheme. For instance, all of the photos have the same shades of red, green, blue, brown, black, and white. I think this is a nice quality because it helps the story flow well. Lastly, I liked the sequencing that occurs within the book. In detail, the hats are always on the peddler’s head in the same order: his cap, followed by gray caps, brown caps, blue caps, and red caps. Thus, readers are introduced to the idea of patterns and arrangement. Overall, the “big idea” of Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys, and Their Monkey Business is to emphasize the difficulty the peddler experienced when trying to reason with the monkeys.

[kbarge1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I liked this book for many reasons. One reason I liked this story was because of the language that was used. The author used repetition when describing the peddler's attempt to get his caps back. He says to them, "You monkeys you", "you give me back my caps." Each time he says this he follows by either shaking his fingers or stomping his feet. The monkey's respond by copying the peddler's motions, and either shake their fingers back at him or stomp their feet. I really enjoyed this repetition because it added a pattern to the story and made it possible to predict what the man would say and how the monkeys would respond. When the peddler angrily throws his cap on the ground and begins to walk away, the monkeys continue to repeat after him and throw the caps on the ground as well. This use of repetition and pattern allowed the reader to predict what would happen and how the man would resolve the issue. I also liked that the author incorporated humor into the story. I found it rather funny that the man simply went back to what he had been doing at the beginning of the story after collecting all of the caps from the ground. It was as if nothing had happened and he went about his day as he had been earlier, trying to sell his caps. Another thing that I really liked about this story was the plot. I like that the story ends the same way that it begins, but also includes a conflict in the middle. The use of repetition and patterns as the conflict unfolded made the plot fun and engaging, because the reader is able to easily make predictions. I also thought that the author made the story easy to follow and understand by reconnecting the peddler's actions after the conflict with his actions at the beginning of the story; before he had faced the problem with the monkeys. Another thing that I liked about this story were the illustrations. I thought that the author used very rich, bright colors that kept the story interesting and helped keep me engaged. I also liked that the illustrations added to the simplicity and warmth of the story by sticking to the same color scheme by using the same shades of orange, red, green, and blue. The illustrations also enhance the story by depicting what is being described in the text. For example, when the peddler shouts at the monkeys and stomps his foot, the illustration portrays him with his foot kicked back as he is stomping. I believe that the overall message of this story is that one will often get their desired results by having self control, being persistent, being patient, and by showing what they want rather than being impatient and simply telling.

[jessiebarry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina is about a cap peddler who sells caps in a small town. One day he goes to take a nap under a tree and a group of monkeys steal all his hats. The peddler then tries to get them all back. This book could be used to practice repetition. It can also get the students involved and moving, by participating in the fist shaking and stomping.

[david9z · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Caps for Sale is another read aloud favorite for library preschool groups. The repetition is effective, the illustrations clear and engaging, and the stamping of feet and shaking of fists fun for children to do. Its rhythmic, predictable text encourages laughter and participation. The circular plotline ends where it began. It is a perfect example of "monkey see, monkey do." For preschoolers up to age 5. Highly recommended for preschool and public library collections.

[nicolemansun · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Summary : A man walked through town selling caps that he kept on his head. He had grey caps, blue caps, brown caps and red caps. Four of each and his own checked cap. The peddler was tired and took a walk outside of town and found a tree to rest under. After taking a rest under a tree his caps were gone. They were taken by some monkeys. After the peddler got his caps back form the monkeys he went back to the town to sell his caps.Personal Reaction : I loved re-reading this book! This was one of the first books I learned to read on my own. My dad was very influential in my childhood and read to me all the time. This was one of our personal favorites.Extension: I think pre-k and elm ed students can read this (or have it read to them depending on their reading level) and easily understand the plot and could make a craft to show what caps the peddler was selling.

[dannien-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a story of a peddler who almost loses his merchandise by leaving his caps for sale out while he falls asleep. Monkeys come down and take his caps while he is asleep. Students will laugh as they read about the monkeys stealing the hats from the peddler. Children will learn of the concept of the peddler having to sell his caps to earn his money to live off of. The story is very simple and simply written, but younger readers will enjoy the humor in the plot.

[cfmichel_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another classic story - about a peddler and some monkeys. Can you guess what they are up to? A humorous tale that is certain to delight al of it's readers!

[kmunsey_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A traveling sales man decides to nap with all of his hats upon his head. As he sleeps monkeys come and steal all of his hats. The sales man is smart and get the monkey to see and do what he does. And throw the hats on the ground. This is a great story of monkey see monkey do and the clever people who can use copiers like this for thier own advantage.

[kellylpickett · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a silly story of a peddler who sells caps at fifty cents a piece. Unlike the other peddlers, he carries his caps stacked on his and not on his back. One day he cannot seem to sell any caps de decided to rest under a tree in the countryside and take a nap. When he wakes up he realizes that his caps are no longer on his head, but have been taken by a bunch of monkeys who are all wearing them in the tree above him. The peddler yells at the monkeys shaking his finger, then his fists, then stomping his feet only to have the monkeys mimic everything he does. Finally he gets so mad that he throws his own hat off of his head and so do the monkeys, still mimicking him. The Peddler then collects his caps, puts them back in order on top of his head and continues back to town. This would be a great book to use simply to practice prediction and as a fun end of the day read.

[hhuget_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Caps for Sale is a classic story about a peddler that loses all of his caps and tries to get them back from a group of monkeys. This story is a great read-aloud for lower elementary classrooms because it includes repetitive language that students enjoy being a part of. This book can also be used to discuss basic math concepts such as counting.

[shifflett2009 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Summary:This book is about a peddler who sales different colored caps. He had gray, brown, blue, and red caps. He would walk up ad down streets calling "Caps! Caps for Sale! Fifty cents a cap!" One morning for some reason he could not sale any caps, therefore had no money for lunch. He then decided to go for a walk in the country. He walked for a long time and became tired so he he decided to take a nap by a tree. He quickly fell asleep. When he woke up he was rested but before he got up he felt his head and noticed that his caps were gone. He looked everywhere and could not find them. Then he looked into the tree and there were his hats. Every branch sat a monkey and every ,monkey had on a cap. The peddler then shook his finger and told them to give back his caps, but all they could do was shake their finger back at him. The peddler became really angry but all the monkeys did was shake their finger back . Feeling quite angry the peddler stamped his feed and shook his fingers at them. They monkeys did the same. he became so angry that the took his own cap off and walked off. The monkeys then took off their caps and threw them on the ground, The peddler then picked ip all of the hats and put them in order and put them back on his head. he then slowly walked back into town. Personal:I thought this book was very colorful for using mostly prime colors. The pictures were very detailed. I thought this book would be good to use when teaching someone about manners.Extension:1. I could use this book for teaching prime colors2. I could use this to teach numbers and manners.

[rachelpeterson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is about a peddler who sells hats, and decides to take a nap, when he awakes he finds monkeys wearing his hats who refuse to give them back and copy his every move. He eventually gives up, and throws his hat on the ground. He gets his hat back because the monkeys were copying him. This book is great for young elementary, it is humorous, and predictable and teaches us all a good lesson.

[e1ob · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Caps for sale is basically about this man trying to sell his caps in order to get some money. As he is doing his rounds around town one day nobody had wanted to buy a cap from him so he took a walk into the country. He found a try and sat down beside it, he had checked his head to make sure that he had all of his checkered, grey, blue and red caps on, he takes a nap afterwards. When he wakes up he notices that his caps are missing, so he looks around the tree but they were not there. As he was pondering where they could have gone he finds monkeys in the tree above him wearing his caps. He tries to get them back making many different gestures and the monkeys copy his moves. He does not find this entertaining but instead he gets mad. After a while he gets his caps back and makes his way back home. This book is great for imagination and is fun.

[claire1cavell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book would be great for younger elementary students. The repetition in words would also be great for student participation. The peddler sold caps and balanced them on his head. He went through town but no one wanted to buy caps so the peddler walked towards the country and found a tree to take a nap under. When he awoke he noticed his caps missing. He looked up and saw monkeys on every branch wearing his caps. The monkeys were relentless but finally released his caps.

[brborsen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The repetition of this book makes it a great book to have students work on their prediction skills by thinking about what is going to happen next. It is a fun book to read to a child or a group of students because it gives you multiple chances to act out the book and engage the students. Overall, I think this is an excellent book.

[restock_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A peddler selling hats decides to take a nap under a tree. When he awakes to his surprise the caps have been taken by monkey's. After several attempts he finally gets his caps back. Great story (the 3-5 year old group loved this book). 

[vossc2009 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of my favorite books from when I was younger. I think it's a great book for students to guess what is going to happen next. It's a funny story that children love! I would read this to K-2nd grade.

[mbeal_16 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After reading this book to a third grade class as a read aloud, I woulddefinitely use this as a read aloud in my own classroom. I think itprovides excellent opportunities for students to practice makingpredictions during a story. I also found it to be a fun read in general. Asfar as whether I’d make this book available for my students to read ontheir own, I believe I would. I just wouldn’t have it open for them toread until after I read it to them first.

[mmontet_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The peddler in this book tries to sell many caps that he stacked on top of his head. Once some monkeys come around and steal them, the peddler gets angry. The monkeys mirror his action when he takes off his own cap and throws it on the ground. This book might be good for a "what happens next" type lesson, but I felt that the story itself had no real substance.