Little Beauty (Hardcover)

~ (Author, Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 3—This reworking of the classic tale of a beast transformed by unconditional love depicts the protagonist as a lumbering gorilla and Beauty as a petite cat. A red rose on the title page hints at what's to come. But wait! Alert readers will recognize this relationship, these very poses: here are Hanabi-Ko and All Ball from the real-life story of the sensitive, signing gorilla described by Francine Patterson in Koko's Kitten (Scholastic, 1985). Browne melds fact and fiction into a story that reads simply, but offers layers. Luscious, creamy pages provide contrast for the large, well-spaced font and the dark, furry figure that often bleeds off the page. Watercolor and pencil renderings capture the animal in moments of profound loneliness and extreme anger; he reacts to King Kong by smashing the TV in a page red with rage. Zookeepers fear for Beauty's safety, but her surprising intervention saves the day. Children will chuckle as they view the pair doing everything together, from using the bathroom to swinging from the lamp, like the mythical figure flying too close to the sun. (Bruegel's Fall of Icarus hangs in the background.) Browne's exquisite interpretation of a real-life gorilla is a welcome progression.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
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From Booklist

*Starred Review* As in Willy and Hugh (1991) and many other animal fantasies, Browne once again tells a picture-book story with exquisitely detailed art that blends magic and realism. Full-page pictures in pencil and watercolor show a gorilla seated in a floral armchair watching TV with his mug of tea and a hamburger. The ape’s human keepers have taught him sign language, and when he signs that he is lonely, they give him a small white kitten. He names her Beauty, and the two bond in bliss. He holds her in the palm of his hand and feeds her milk and honey. The cover shows Beauty perched on the gorilla’s head, and one delightful spread shows him on the toilet, her using the litter box (“They did everything together.”). Then, in a fury after seeing a King Kong movie on TV, the gorilla smashes the set. The keepers come to take Beauty away after the outburst, but when Beauty signs that she broke the TV, everyone laughs at her improbable claim, the mood lightens, and the friends live happily ever after. With the beautiful close-up views of each hair on the gorilla’s furry body, his gentle eyes and soft hands, and then the sudden uncontrollable anger that all kids fear—in themselves and others—this is the stuff of “Beauty and the Beast,” as terrifying as it is tender. Preschool-Grade 3. --Hazel Rochman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (September 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763639591
• ISBN-13: 978-0763639594
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 10.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #222,146 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A LESSON IN FRIENDSHIP FOR YOUNGSTERS, October 12, 2008

By	Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Few can resist the art of Anthony Browne. His name on the cover guarantees sales to a multitude of parents, grandparents and doting aunts and uncles. His art is often times larger than life as is his skill in blending watercolors with stories that not only appeal to children but also often reflect feelings familiar to them.

Little Beauty is the charming story of a very unlikely friendship between a gorilla and a very small kitten named Beauty. The gorilla was extraordinary because he had been taught to use a sign language, thus he was able to tell his keepers what he wanted. He seemed to be quite comfortable with accouterment that other gorillas might only dream about. Nonetheless, he was very sad.

His keepers were puzzled until one day he signed to them, "I want a friend." They wondered what could be done as there were no other gorillas at the zoo. So, they gave him Beauty saying, "Don't Eat Her." Well, the gorilla loved Beauty, and this is the story of their friendship , as well as an excellent opportunity for youngsters to be reminded of the meaning of loyalty, protection, and love.

- Gail Cooke

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet (and funny) story of friendship, October 30, 2008

By	Mumztheword (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

My 5-year-old and 4-year-old love this book -- it's laugh out loud funny every time we read it (I won't give it away here, but bathroom humor is always good for a laugh). The pictures are beautiful. I would highly recommend this book -- I'm thinking of reading it to my son's Kindergarten class when I'm the visiting reader.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This heartwarming tale of friendship and love will appeal to both children and adults alike!, September 22, 2009

By	D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Once upon a time there was a gorilla who could have anything he wanted because he learned how to ask for things by signing to his keepers. He could even get a mug of coffee or cocoa to go with his burger if he felt like it. He would sit in his flowery chair, remote in hand, watching television, but something was missing and it wasn't relish on his hamburger. His lips were turned down and his eyes were sad. He knew exactly what he wanted and "he signed to his keepers, "I ... want ... a friend." Hmmmm, were they going to be able to help him?

One of them had an idea and soon a little kitten named "Beauty" was placed in his hands and he was told not to "eat her." He fed her, he cuddled her, he pampered her and they loved each other. "They did everything together" and when he piddled on his potty she piddled in her kitty litter box. One night they were watching King Kong dragging Fay Wray up the Empire State Building and he got so mad he smashed the television set. The keepers ran in and were going to take Beauty away. What would he do without her?

This is a heartwarming tale of friendship and love. The art work is beautiful and brings out the emotional aspects of the story. This story is obviously reminiscent of the famous Koko and her kitten and just as charming. This is a tale that will appeal both the children and adults alike!