The Guild of Geniuses

This review first appeared in the "Ephrata (PA) Review": Not even the Guild of Geniuses, which advertises "Problems Solved in a Jiffy. No Question Too Difficult. Win a Prize if You Stump Us!," can figure out why Mr. Pip, is so sad. Mr. Pip, a monkey, is the companion of the famous actor Frederick Lipton. He's been down since Lipton's birthday, when extraordinary gifts for the celebrity poured in from all parts of the world and there was no time for Mr. Pip to give Frederick his gift. Santat's colorful pages are alive with silly people and wacky inventions in action, and he doesn't overlook whimsical details. When not poring over the pictures, children will feel proud that they can figure out what's wrong with Mr. Pip, even if the geniuses can't. The story is also a gentle reminder to adults that children, like monkeys, thrive on personal attention and time with the important people in their lives.

This book is a work of art: the illustrations are fresh and funny, and help to engage and pull the reader through the somewhat plodding story of a pet monkey who has difficulty getting one-on-one time with his master. The plot feels dreamlike, and the wonderfully creative illustrations help maintain this milieu. This would make a great read-aloud or read-alone for the younger set, with a bit of interpretive help on the terms like "guild" and "back to the drawing board". This is a remarkable first book for the author, I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

This book is everything I could want in a children's book! The Illustrations are beautiful and unique and open up a wonderful, whimsical world. The story is funny and original, and appeals to adults as well as children. This is a book that children will want to hear over and over again, and that adults won't mind repeating. There are not enough books like this one on the shelves. I recommend The Guild of Geniuses highly!

First, full disclosure: Dan Santat illustrated my short novella, "Greaseguns & Feathers," so I'm already predisposed towards his graphic work. However, I hadn't read any of his words until this book was published, and he's just as talented with a story as he is with art. "The Guild of Geniuses" is clever without being self-aware, and cute without being saccarine. The illustrations are detailed and highly stylized, but none of that compares to the sheer fun of this book. Who doesn't like monkeys in spacesuits and benevolent scientists with fezzes? Your kids will enjoy this book, and you'll enjoy reading it to them. 'Nuff said.

I read this book yesterday and loved both the story and the illustrations. The pictures are complex, lots of details that invite further exploration. Kids will love it!