Gorilla

If your kiddo likes Good Night, Gorilla, I suggest you freecycle (or maybe just recycle) the zoo propaganda and pick up a secondhand copy of Anthony Browne's Gorilla instead. This heartwarming picture book details the enchanted evening a little girl Hannah, somewhat neglected at home, experiences with her toy gorilla-turned-real. What makes this book a keeper from my perspective is Hannah's reaction to viewing primates -- gorillas, an orangutan, and a chimpanzee -- in the zoo. Despite her joy at seeing these animals in person, she views them through cage bars and observes that they are "sad." The next morning, Hannah awakes to an attentive father who offers to do finally what she's been asking him to do all along: bring her to the zoo. Whether the pair goes is ambiguous. I like to think that they spent a leisurely day in the park instead.

This book came to the school that I teach in a sample set from a publisher. It has stayed with me for years. The illustrations are wonderful and the story is better yet. The story is about a young girl who goes to the zoo with her gorilla friend (her father is too busy to take her. Her father finds time for her in the end and her gorilla turns back into a stuffed toy. Many children can relate to what this little girl goes through. The book has so much more to offer than what I can tell you. It is truely beautiful. I will put it next to my Narnia set...I am finally buying a copy for myself. Don't miss out on this gem.

My son (5) and I love this story and so does any kid I read this story to. We love it mostly because of the beautiful drawings (some sad, some funny) which are sensitive and full of little details that enrich the tale. Check out the incredible caged sad monkey (no need of words) or the funny "Super Gorilla" picture. We also like the text that is simple and straightforward on one hand but relies heavily on the pictures for further layers of understanding. Adults can argue about the subject of this story - I personally think it is about human relations (what's important) - but heard other say it is about fear (?) but all this is unimportant - kids and adults alike are drawn to the amazing drawings and can sense the richness of this book. Gorillas are sure to become your favorite animals.

Popular author/illustrator Anthony Browne has garnered enough accolades to fill many a shelf: the international Hans Christian Andersen Award, the Kurt Moschler Award three times, and the Kate Greenaway Medal twice. We are reminded of how richly deserved these honors are with "Gorilla," a warmly satisfying story of the bond between a young girl and an animal. Gorillas are the love of Hannah's life and her heart's desire is to see a real one. Regrettably, her father is either too tied up or too weary to take her to the zoo. When Hannah asked him a question, his usual reply was, "Not now. I'm busy. Maybe tomorrow." But, did you know that surprises can take place on a birthday? Hannah had asked her father for a gorilla and, sure enough, he gave her one but it was only a toy. She tossed it aside and fell fast asleep. She was awakened in the middle of the night by a smiling gorilla who invited her to go to the zoo. She wasn't at all frightened, and eagerly joined him. That was just the beginning of their nocturnal adventure. It was a wonderful night that Hannah will never forget, nor will young readers soon forget this happy, imaginative tale. - Gail Cooke

This is not a story only for children. It is an introduction to the painting details too. As the complete works for children Anthony Browne has developed, this book also contains the easy vocabulary to be understood by children and the baroque drawing of every element in each picture, so you can introduce even some famous paint masterpieces to the visual memory of every reader. In this case is Velazquez. Don't think the short number of pages is for a speedy reading, you can pass slowly every page looking the multiple details subjetively put on each square.