Gorilla [Hardcover]

Anthony Browne (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Anthony Browne’s incomparable artwork illuminates the deeply satisfying story of a lonely girl, a friendly gorilla, and their enchanted night out.

Hannah spends all of her time reading gorilla books, watching gorilla TV shows, and drawing gorilla pictures. She has gorillas on her bedside lamp
and even on her box of cereal. Hannah loves gorillas and longs to see a real one, but her father is always too busy - or too tired - to take her to the zoo. Then, on the night before her birthday, something extraordinary happens - and Hannah’s wish comes gloriously true.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Anthony Browne's Gorilla reappears this fall, nearly 20 years after its original publication. The surreal story captures Hannah on the eve of her birthday and follows her escapades with a toy gorilla gift that comes to life; art and film fans will enjoy seeing gorilla mugs in place of the faces on the Mona Lisa, Whistler's mother and Superman, among others.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"* "One of the best picture books for the over-threes I've seen in a long time." Practical Parenting * "Sad, joyous and full of surprises for the sharp-eyed... Browne asks his readers to think...His strong visual images are arresting, compulsive." The Good Book Guide * "Joyous and moving... A tour de force." The Times Literary Supplement" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; 1st Candlewick Press ed edition (August 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763618136
• ISBN-13: 978-0763618131
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,070,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sad (for adults) heart warming story. Beautiful drawings., January 16, 2003

By 

Tsila Sofer Elguez "Tsila Sofer Elguez" (Haifa, Israel) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gorilla (Hardcover)

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.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, September 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Gorilla (Hardcover)

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.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A WONDERFUL NIGHT! A WONDERFUL BOOK!, September 29, 2002

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gorilla (Hardcover)

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