I was inspired to write this book for my great granddaughter, Carlie Noel Erlandson, but I was moved to publish it because to two young readers who learned about the birds and flowers in the forest, and remembered the story long after they heard it. Andrea"s story: when my Mom read me the book, Mr. Monkey with an Air of Importance, I asked her what "admire and contemplate" mean. After she told me what they mean, I wanted to do what Mr. Monkey does. I look at the flowers and find myself asking questions about flowers to any person who is working in gardens. I am 10 years old now and when I see some plants I can tell what kind of flower it is. Thanks to Mr. Monkey I have learned to admire, contemplate, and love flowers." Mary"s story: "One day my grandpa asked me if I wanted to go with him bird watching. So I thought to myself, "I can go and look for Mr. Monkey"s tree with all those birds and surprise Grandpa" I was excited and agreed to go. Grandpa and I began to watch birds often, but I was always watching for Mr. Monkey"s tree. Finally, I discovered that not only the birds are beautiful and interesting, but we also have gorgeous and wonderful trees too. "I am now 11 years old. I never found Mr. Monkey"s tree, but I did find the real thing." One day I told grandpa, "Come and see this butterfly!" Grandpa said, "It is lovely, Mary" "Yes," I say to him, "this is called the Baltimore butterfly." "Baltimore?" he asked. Grandpa said "Mary you know nothing about butterflies." When we got home I found the book Mr. Monkey with an Air of Importance. I opened the page where the butterflies are and told Grandpa. Read it, and pointed to the picture. Grandpa said, "I"ll be darnned."