The Boy and the Gorilla by Jackie Azua Kramer, illustrated by Cindy Derby. PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Press, 2020. $17. 9780763698324
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
A little boy’s mom dies. As he deals with his grief, he talks it out with a beautiful black gorilla. The little boy is able to express his feelings and the things he liked and misses about his mom. Eventually the little boy comes around to sharing those memories with his father and the black gorilla fades away.
This is a beautiful picture book that depicts what grief feels like and also shows a way through the sadness. This book is essential, except because it’s such an emotional read, I put it as advisable because it’s not one you would want a child to happen upon without some guidance. It’s such a touchy-feely book, it might need some explaining or guided reading with an adult, but I think it’s a great resource for young kids who are grieving. Simple, yet I felt all the feels—very well done.
Reviewer, C. Peterson
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