When Gorilla Goes Walking
PreSchool-Grade 4–Enormous, lively illustrations are paired with an equally bouncy text in this winning picture book. In a series of delightful poems, a girl introduces her cat, Gorilla, and describes her pet's many interests, talents, and behaviors. A fierce meow,/a tiger's claws–/Gorilla ain't/no Santa Paws….She has no tail./She's rain-cloud gray./I love that cool cat/more each day. While the feline is decidedly the star of this show, Cecilia also shares tidbits about her own life, such as getting into trouble for making a mess and feeling sad when her best friend moves away. The rich and rewarding relationship enjoyed by cat and human comes through loud and clear. From a breathless entry about the animal chasing a fly, to an elegant haiku (Gorilla gazes/into a puddle. Does she/know she's beautiful?), the poems vary in style and mood. Grimes's use of language and point of view are consistently refreshing and childlike. The bold cartoon artwork endearingly portrays the African-American narrator and her smoke-colored pet as they play together, comfort one another, and experience life's ups and downs. This book is an excellent choice for cat lovers, budding poetry enthusiasts, and just about any reader who enjoys a fun-filled romp with words.–Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.