FICTION

Still a Gorilla!

by Kim NORMAN
Still a Gorilla! illus. by Chad Geran. 32p. Orchard/Scholastic. Jul. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780545757911. POP
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PreS-Gr 1—Willy, a young gorilla, longs to be something else. A lion? A billy goat? A walrus? Each time Willy tries to emulate one of his fellow zoo animals, he is disappointed to find out he is still a gorilla. This bright and vibrant story is a fun read, and children will delight in inferring what animal comes next. The graphic-style digital artwork is cheerful and engaging. This silly read-aloud explores print awareness as well as rhyme. Illustrations and font are large, which adds to the creativity of the story and allows the book to work well when shared with a group. Text is minimalistic and done in various colors. Children will love the repetition, chiming in on the refrain, "No. Still a gorilla!"
VERDICT A surefire selection for a lively animal-themed storytime. A must-have.
Reviewed by Megan McGinnis, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY
Little gorilla Willy considers several new animal identities: e.g., "If Willy strides outside / and roars with pride, / will Willy be a lion? / Will he?" Geran, using preschool-friendly bold, flat colors, gives Willy's misguided animal impersonations the élan of the cartoon world's better pratfallers. Having succumbed to Willy's charms, readers will gladly add their voices to this book's chorus: "No. / Still a gorilla!"
 , Jun 01, 2016

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