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thepagelady's review
3.0
On the day of his mother’s funeral, a young boy conjures the very visitor he needs to see: a gorilla. Wise and gentle, the gorilla stays on to answer the heart-heavy questions the boy hesitates to ask his father
Where did his mother go?
Will she come back home?
Will we all die?
Most of all, the gorilla knows that it helps to simply talk about the loss—especially with those who share your grief and who may feel alone, too.
Thank you Goodreads and Candlewick Press for a chance to read The Boy and the Gorilla by Jackie Azúa Kramer and illustrator Cindy Derby!
I entered this giveaway because my son saw it and asked me to try and win it. This is beautiful sad story about a boy who loses his mother. The illustration is this book is just absolutely beautiful. After reading it I went back just so I could look at the pictures more closely. It was a sad book and hopefully about a position I hope to never have to be put in. But it still was a very wonderful read. Happy reading everyone!!
Where did his mother go?
Will she come back home?
Will we all die?
Most of all, the gorilla knows that it helps to simply talk about the loss—especially with those who share your grief and who may feel alone, too.
Thank you Goodreads and Candlewick Press for a chance to read The Boy and the Gorilla by Jackie Azúa Kramer and illustrator Cindy Derby!
I entered this giveaway because my son saw it and asked me to try and win it. This is beautiful sad story about a boy who loses his mother. The illustration is this book is just absolutely beautiful. After reading it I went back just so I could look at the pictures more closely. It was a sad book and hopefully about a position I hope to never have to be put in. But it still was a very wonderful read. Happy reading everyone!!
guzforster's review
5.0
Wow, I never thought a children's picture book could have such an impact. A short, powerful story about grief, loss, and finding peace in it that, if you're a human, will bring you to tears by the time you finish it.
lizaroo71's review
4.0
I love this book about children's grief. The boy has lost his mother. Unable to give voice to his sorrow, a gorilla makes philosophical insights that give the boy some peace. Eventually, the boy is able to talk to his father which makes his grieving not so lonely.
The artwork looks like water colors and are subtle and guazy.
Thanks to Calista for posting such a lovely review.
The artwork looks like water colors and are subtle and guazy.
Thanks to Calista for posting such a lovely review.
spuriousdiphthongs's review
5.0
Wow, this book floored me. The art is beautiful and the narration is very well-done.
msgabbythelibrarian's review
5.0
Oh wow. I need to recommend this book to my counselor friends. This is the perfect book for handling grief! It doesn't diminish the grief. It doesn't white wash feelings or make everything rosy. It also, in one very telling illustration, shows that while trying to be strong for the child, the other parent is also going through grief themselves.
This book encourages children to find ways to keep memories alive. I think that aids with that fifth stage of grief--acceptance.
This book encourages children to find ways to keep memories alive. I think that aids with that fifth stage of grief--acceptance.
librarydreams's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This would not be the book I would use to introduce a child to the concept of death in general, as the death of a parent is a little too scary for general use . However, if the child in question has suffered that specific loss, this is an excellent book. The gentle questions and reassurances work perfectly. The gorilla, while looming, is never scary.