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One Gorilla: a Counting Book
A counting book that features primates from gorillas to gibbons, macaques to mandrills, ring-tailed lemurs to spider monkeys.
28 pages, Hardcover
First published September 28, 2012
4 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Browne
162 books315 followersAnthony Browne, a Hans Christian Andersen Medalist, is the author-illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including Silly Billy and Little Beauty. He lives in Kent, England.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
March 26, 2024
Anthony Browne's 2012 One Gorilla is simply and beautifully a number and counting picture book, featuring the digits from one to ten, and text-wise, it really does not present much else. However, for young children just learning their numbers, One Gorilla truly is a superb introduction to basic counting and with the added benefit of One Gorilla demonstrating that ALL primates, including US humans, are related, are of one family so to speak. Of course, that one small bit (that all primates are related) might also, unfortunately, make One Gorilla rather unacceptable to parents who are strongly creationist and thus anti-evolution (but I would still hope that these individuals will simply decide not to read this book to or with their children, and not try to get One Gorilla censored or removed from classrooms and library bookshelves, that they will not try to force their attitudes and philosophies on others, but with book banning being so front and centre in many US states, One Gorilla will likely be and probably is already on banned book lists in puritanical Bible thumping states like Florida, Alabama, Texas etc.).
Now with regard to the accompanying illustrations themselves for One Gorilla (which are also by Anthony Browne), what can one really say, but wow! They are expressive, glowing, and especially the eyes of the diverse primates depicted makes one feel as though the monkeys, lemurs and apes are looking right out from the pages of the book, right out from the pages of One Gorilla (transfixing and mesemerising us). Amazingly, spectacularly detailed, Browne's pictorial primate renderings are a wonderful and true visual feast (and yes, the oh so emotionally depicted simian facial features also very nicely and beautifully demonstrate the family relationship of ALL primates, including humans, for when I look at the depicted primates' faces and eyes in One Gorilla, I do feel and even know that I am looking at extended family relations, that primates are indeed our cousins, that we are all related).
Now with regard to the accompanying illustrations themselves for One Gorilla (which are also by Anthony Browne), what can one really say, but wow! They are expressive, glowing, and especially the eyes of the diverse primates depicted makes one feel as though the monkeys, lemurs and apes are looking right out from the pages of the book, right out from the pages of One Gorilla (transfixing and mesemerising us). Amazingly, spectacularly detailed, Browne's pictorial primate renderings are a wonderful and true visual feast (and yes, the oh so emotionally depicted simian facial features also very nicely and beautifully demonstrate the family relationship of ALL primates, including humans, for when I look at the depicted primates' faces and eyes in One Gorilla, I do feel and even know that I am looking at extended family relations, that primates are indeed our cousins, that we are all related).
July 25, 2014
Count the primates, 1 to 10!
I loved the beautiful artwork of the different types of monkeys.
However, the ending of this book knocked it from 4 stars to 2.
I loved the beautiful artwork of the different types of monkeys.
However, the ending of this book knocked it from 4 stars to 2.
February 14, 2026
One of Browne's best, and that's saying something. Gorgeous pictures, perfect climax. Look at all the primates....
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Reread.
Gorgeous. I love that each creature is an individual. Look at them carefully for fun details! Though the Colobus monkeys are less distinguishable than they could be. Still, a book I recommend to all and am glad that I reread.
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Reread. Still gorgeous and moving. Would make a fun large board book, so a preschooler could carry it around and 'read' it independently often & at will.
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Reread.
Considering the condition that my local library's copy is in, I'm not the only one who keeps on reading it.
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Reread.
Gorgeous. I love that each creature is an individual. Look at them carefully for fun details! Though the Colobus monkeys are less distinguishable than they could be. Still, a book I recommend to all and am glad that I reread.
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Reread. Still gorgeous and moving. Would make a fun large board book, so a preschooler could carry it around and 'read' it independently often & at will.
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Reread.
Considering the condition that my local library's copy is in, I'm not the only one who keeps on reading it.
August 1, 2014
My sixteen-month-old son got excited about One Gorilla the minute I pulled it out of the library bag. So, we've already read that one ;-) A few times, in fact. He loves animals and animal books, and I think he's especially captivated by the eyes on all the primates in this book; or maybe I'm just projecting because that's what really struck me. So expressive! I really appreciated the expressions and personalities that Browne gave to each primate. I think my favorites are the gibbons with such a variety of expressions (but maybe because I love gibbons so much) and the spider monkeys just made me laugh, they looked so mischievous. I think it is very easy to attribute "human" emotion to the faces the various primates make, and I think that, plus the focus on the eyes, really helped accentuate Browne's message that we, too, are part of the primate family.
*I really need to think of an alternative to "expressive/expressions" but my sixteen-month-old is also getting his molars in and I am quite sleep deprived, so this will have to do for now!
*I really need to think of an alternative to "expressive/expressions" but my sixteen-month-old is also getting his molars in and I am quite sleep deprived, so this will have to do for now!
May 3, 2013
One Gorilla: A Counting Book is one of those books that appears so simple, yet is truly outstanding in so many ways. First, the illustrations are beautifully stunning and lifelike, and each primate’s expression is unique and individual. Second, as a counting book the layout really encourages this learning aspect with its large, bold, colored numbers, bright white backgrounds, and placement of the primates in ways that make it easier to count them, such as in rows (most are this way). Third, I really like that it introduces both well-known and less-common primates to children (and their parents), encouraging vocabulary learning (and primatology). Lastly, it is wonderful to see a book for young children that shows a familial connection between all primates and builds an appreciation for this extended primate family and all those around us. “All primates. All one family. All my family…and yours!” Highly recommended!
September 12, 2017
This was another I picked up at the library to beef up my lagging reading goal. So glad I did!
The artwork grabbed me even before I lifted it off the shelf. It reminds me of Eric Carle's illustrations. Maybe a little more detailed?
I had to laugh out loud as I was selecting the tags for this book. You see I read the pictures, the names of the animals and oooo the pictures. In tagging I realized: THIS IS A COUNTING BOOK!
A teacher or parent could have loads of fun presenting new information each time this book is read aloud. Even beyond young children the science presented about primates could launch several discussions about the different classifications. Field trip to the zoo! An art class using water colors. Oh... and we can learn our numbers. I suppose that would be the place to start. But again--The pictures!!! They inspire me to get out my brushes and paints. I need to learn how someday. I must grow beyond drawing!
Check it out, read it aloud to a small child. Smuggle it into your room and enjoy the illustration!
The artwork grabbed me even before I lifted it off the shelf. It reminds me of Eric Carle's illustrations. Maybe a little more detailed?
I had to laugh out loud as I was selecting the tags for this book. You see I read the pictures, the names of the animals and oooo the pictures. In tagging I realized: THIS IS A COUNTING BOOK!
A teacher or parent could have loads of fun presenting new information each time this book is read aloud. Even beyond young children the science presented about primates could launch several discussions about the different classifications. Field trip to the zoo! An art class using water colors. Oh... and we can learn our numbers. I suppose that would be the place to start. But again--The pictures!!! They inspire me to get out my brushes and paints. I need to learn how someday. I must grow beyond drawing!
Check it out, read it aloud to a small child. Smuggle it into your room and enjoy the illustration!
March 7, 2013
I liked the counting...but I didn't like the end. My coworker suggested I just skip reading the last two pages next time...
September 18, 2016
At first glance, Anthony Browne’s One Gorilla: A Counting Book seems like a simple number-learning aid for small children. However, upon closer examination, the reader can see that Browne uses size and perspective to introduce a theme of the similarities that exist between different people all part of the same humanity.
On each opening, simple text on the left side of the spread says a number and the type of monkey depicted. Though all monkeys on the spread on the same species, Browne shows differences, mainly in size, coloring, or face shape. This suggests the possibility of differences in groups that are supposedly the same.
He uses a close-up perspective with most of his characters gazing directly at the reader to command their attention on the characters’ facial expressions. Though most of the characters are monkeys, Browne paints them with human-like features, emphasized by the fact that they look straight at the reader in most cases. Some monkeys look away or at each other, potentially showing the possibility of human-like relationships among animals.
Finally, Browne changes his text at the same time as he changes his images from monkeys to a close-up, large portrait of himself. On the last spread, a diverse group of humans with strikingly similar facial expressions to the monkeys are described as one family…”yours”.
Readers who are willing to take their time and examine the stunning artwork in this book will gain an appreciation for the value of the similarities and differences occurring in the world. Browne’s book is so much more than a counting tool if one dares to look beyond the words on the page.
On each opening, simple text on the left side of the spread says a number and the type of monkey depicted. Though all monkeys on the spread on the same species, Browne shows differences, mainly in size, coloring, or face shape. This suggests the possibility of differences in groups that are supposedly the same.
He uses a close-up perspective with most of his characters gazing directly at the reader to command their attention on the characters’ facial expressions. Though most of the characters are monkeys, Browne paints them with human-like features, emphasized by the fact that they look straight at the reader in most cases. Some monkeys look away or at each other, potentially showing the possibility of human-like relationships among animals.
Finally, Browne changes his text at the same time as he changes his images from monkeys to a close-up, large portrait of himself. On the last spread, a diverse group of humans with strikingly similar facial expressions to the monkeys are described as one family…”yours”.
Readers who are willing to take their time and examine the stunning artwork in this book will gain an appreciation for the value of the similarities and differences occurring in the world. Browne’s book is so much more than a counting tool if one dares to look beyond the words on the page.
August 28, 2014
The mixed media paintings are absolutely stunning, and large enough to use successfully with a group. Text is super simple, just a number and the name of the primate on each double-page spread. I don't agree that humans are in the same "family" as apes and monkeys, but this is a minor point. Otherwise, the book is pretty fabulous.
September 28, 2017
A beautifully illustrated counting book with a surprise message to end on! Each number corresponds to a different primate and, as the end of the book suggests, although there are differences between them, they are all part of the same family. With beautiful and visually bright illustrations, this is a wonderful demonstration of successful celebration of diversity! Perfect for any age.
February 21, 2013
Gorgeous illustrations : very bold and emotive. Although, the full grown man's face at the end for the message twist felt out of place for me. Perhaps using a child would have been better for me.
March 11, 2019
A good book to introduce children to counting. It also develops children’s understanding that they evolve from monkeys.
June 21, 2019
Lovely! Need this to help me to learn my primates!
July 4, 2022
ta weno pa aprender a contar
pero yo ya sé, entonces no me ayudó mucho
pero igual lo recomiendo si no saben
pero yo ya sé, entonces no me ayudó mucho
pero igual lo recomiendo si no saben
September 26, 2019
This is a really beautiful book that would be great for the teaching of early counting. This book contains much nicer illustrations than most counting books.
September 12, 2014
Our girls have grown out of reading counting books, so without a sarcastic or humorous storyline (like Musk Ox Counts or Count the Monkeys), they are a bit offended by the babyish nature of the story.
So before we read our stories tonight, I prefaced each book by saying that I was reading the book for my book club and I wanted them to appreciate the book for the illustrations, if nothing else. That advice certainly worked well for this book.
With mostly white backgrounds, big bold fonts, and little text, this is a simple, yet beautifully illustrated counting book. The book features different primates throughout and we loved their expressions and the close-up details.
We had a lot of laughs ascribing different emotions and thoughts to each of the faces (with some admittedly juvenile toilet humor). We really enjoyed the tie-in to humans, showing that we are all part of the primate family.
This book was selected as one of the books for the August 2014 - Counting discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
So before we read our stories tonight, I prefaced each book by saying that I was reading the book for my book club and I wanted them to appreciate the book for the illustrations, if nothing else. That advice certainly worked well for this book.
With mostly white backgrounds, big bold fonts, and little text, this is a simple, yet beautifully illustrated counting book. The book features different primates throughout and we loved their expressions and the close-up details.
We had a lot of laughs ascribing different emotions and thoughts to each of the faces (with some admittedly juvenile toilet humor). We really enjoyed the tie-in to humans, showing that we are all part of the primate family.
This book was selected as one of the books for the August 2014 - Counting discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
February 11, 2015
This amazing counting book brings you in with its unique title, One Gorilla. As I started reading this book, I figured it was going to be a regular counting book, just with a different theme. Turns put it teaches you more than counting. It brings you in learning about one gorilla, two orangutans, 3 chimpanzees.. and etc. Soon enough it gets to showing you all types of monkeys around the world with one meaning, One family. It teaches you that everyone around the world, despite their color of skin, ethnicity, or where the live in part of the world. Together we all are family, and the only people we have.
The illustration that browne creates is full bleed that takes up the whole page creating that demand sort of feeling for you to see the full picture clearly and understanding what he wants you to understand. There really is no setting for this book only objects that he based it around was several types of one main thing, which was monkeys and in the end its humans.
The wonderful color scheme has all the colors of the rainbows, showing it by being very diverse.
Children will defiantly be motivated to count let alone see that they are that one gorilla.
The illustration that browne creates is full bleed that takes up the whole page creating that demand sort of feeling for you to see the full picture clearly and understanding what he wants you to understand. There really is no setting for this book only objects that he based it around was several types of one main thing, which was monkeys and in the end its humans.
The wonderful color scheme has all the colors of the rainbows, showing it by being very diverse.
Children will defiantly be motivated to count let alone see that they are that one gorilla.
September 2, 2015
Anthony Browne’s One Gorilla is an excellent read for young children looking to expand their vocabulary through counting. One Gorilla is a counting book however, the book uses a variety of different primates as it subject for counting. This book will not only help younger readers from 3 upwards to continue number recognition through sequential counting, it will also provide a challenge for a more advanced younger reader as it will allow them to learn new vocabulary. The illustrations within the book are excellent and extremely lifelike allowing the reader to gain a real perspective as to what the different primates actually look like.
This book can be used for individual reading in terms of the counting however, it presents an opportunity for paired reading and group reading as to help with pronunciation of the more difficult primates. The colourful and bright illustrations will also allow this book to be used as part of an Art lesson.
This book can be used for individual reading in terms of the counting however, it presents an opportunity for paired reading and group reading as to help with pronunciation of the more difficult primates. The colourful and bright illustrations will also allow this book to be used as part of an Art lesson.
January 31, 2026
Un albo illustrato semplice ma elegantissimo pensato per avvicinare i bambini ai numeri e al mondo degli animali. Anthony Browne presenta una serie di ritratti di primati, partendo da “1 gorilla” e contando fino a “10 lemuri”, con ogni volto dipinto con grande dettaglio, colore e personalità su sfondo bianco, così che il giovane lettore possa concentrarsi su forme, espressioni e contare con facilità. Il libro non è solo un semplice strumento didattico: attraverso occhi intelligentemente illustrati e volti espressivi, Browne trasmette anche una sensazione di vicinanza emotiva tra primati e umani, concludendo con una pagina che include esseri umani e suggerisce che tutti i primati siamo una sola famiglia. Perfetto per i più piccoli (circa 3–7 anni) o per chi ama albi illustrati che uniscono apprendimento, arte e un messaggio di connessione tra gli esseri viventi.
August 10, 2016
Beautifully rendered color drawings of primates, each looking like an individual--though it would have been better if some of the beings depicted were in more lively positions. I was particularly caught by the very humanlike expression in their eyes. Which is appropriate, considering how Browne ends the book. Let's just say I don't envision this picture book being bought by fundamentalist-Christian preschools...
August 7, 2014
Love the illustrations of the different primates. Really wonderful pictures. This is a perfect book for young children, and even older children and adults can appreciate the artwork. However, I wished there was more text, text that gave more information about each primate...even if in the form of footnotes or an author's note. It would have made it more enjoyable for my older children.
February 12, 2013
This is a wonderful, vibrant book that emphasizes that we are all primates. This would be a great conversation starter about our primate family -- the ways in which primates are similar and different, and our inter-connectedness with the rest of the world.
July 20, 2013
Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous! And perfectly done.
November 16, 2016
first read to Ivy 16/11/16
Capitalising on Ivy's love of Gorillas and the way she bangs her chest whenever she sees one!
Capitalising on Ivy's love of Gorillas and the way she bangs her chest whenever she sees one!
May 3, 2017
Maybe good for numbers, impossible for new reader.
October 23, 2018
Gorilla by Anthony Browne is a sweet story about a lonely young girl, Hannah, who is obsessed with gorillas. She lives in a house with her father who is always busy and has no time for her. She receives a toy gorilla from her father and her world turns joyfully around when that gorilla comes to life and takes her to the zoo. This story is written for children from 4 – 8 years old but even older children could relate to this story which contains elements of reality and fantasy and is evoke sensitive feelings. It is particularly relevant to many children in modern day society who often spend time isolated from their parents as so many parents are working long hours and distracted by professional responsibilities.
Gorilla has received several awards including the Kate Greenaway Medal (1983) for distinguished illustration, the Zilveren Griffel award (1989) for translated children’s text in the Netherlands, the Kurt Maschler Award (1983) for outstanding text and illustration integration. The author’s illustrations are muted using soft, dull colors that add to the sense of forlornness and they appear to be done in marker. There are details in the background that draw attention and create further interest such as the room details of the living areas as well as concentration on the emotional emptiness of the rooms. Her father always has his back to her or never meets her eyes. When she meets the gorilla, the colors become more vivid and a sense of joy is added to the story. This book would be excellent to use when discussing feeling with children. I think this book is a great way for children to understand they are not alone if they are having feelings of abandonment. Using a piece of literature and characters with whom they can identify can help a child acknowledge and speak about their own feelings.
Gorilla has received several awards including the Kate Greenaway Medal (1983) for distinguished illustration, the Zilveren Griffel award (1989) for translated children’s text in the Netherlands, the Kurt Maschler Award (1983) for outstanding text and illustration integration. The author’s illustrations are muted using soft, dull colors that add to the sense of forlornness and they appear to be done in marker. There are details in the background that draw attention and create further interest such as the room details of the living areas as well as concentration on the emotional emptiness of the rooms. Her father always has his back to her or never meets her eyes. When she meets the gorilla, the colors become more vivid and a sense of joy is added to the story. This book would be excellent to use when discussing feeling with children. I think this book is a great way for children to understand they are not alone if they are having feelings of abandonment. Using a piece of literature and characters with whom they can identify can help a child acknowledge and speak about their own feelings.
December 3, 2018
One Gorilla, A Counting Book. Browne, Anthony. New York: Candlewick 2013. Counting Picture book aimed for 3 to 7 years old range. The book teaches to count 1 to 10 through a beautiful illustration work of primates. Each number is aligned with the primate name and the correspondent amount of various images. My rating is five, mainly for the theme, illustration, and color. The themes of counting 1 to 10 and the primates are perfectly well address to make them totally appealing even when these are basic topics for young readers. The book images are represented by suggested lines rather than carefully drawn and the shapes are ovals and circles mainly. The pictures are large reaching mostly the two facing pages with vivid colors. Even though there is a lot of empty space on each page, it is used to direct our attention to the number, name, and pictures. This book would be totally appealing to readers for the same reasons of theme and quality of illustration. I would introduce the numbers with this book to children and make it interactive with them while we discovered the diversity of primates on it. I would also reinforce the reading with some worksheet activities where the students can color the amount of primates corresponding to a giving number.
January 17, 2020
Count on this realistically illustrated book of numbers to highlight the variety in the primate family. And as we count the groups of gibbons or spider monkeys, it is apparent that the individual creatures are as diverse and as full of expression any group of people. We discover after "ten lemurs" that perhaps this is the very point the author/illustrator is making. Humans may be differ in age, gender or race, yet we are all connected. In fact, we're family!
Find this book at the intersection of biology, social studies, and math. Enjoy it as a counting tool, a science lesson, or a tale of human connectedness. Have fun noticing the differences in the primates as well as the people. And ask, why do you think the author included himself in the pictures? or what significance might you see in the end pages? One Gorilla is rich with possibilities.
Find this book at the intersection of biology, social studies, and math. Enjoy it as a counting tool, a science lesson, or a tale of human connectedness. Have fun noticing the differences in the primates as well as the people. And ask, why do you think the author included himself in the pictures? or what significance might you see in the end pages? One Gorilla is rich with possibilities.
March 25, 2020
Muchas veces un libro ilustrado es una historia que ilustran, pero para mí la gran gracia de estos libros es que los mejores son ilustraciones con historia. Es difícil explicar, pero he leído cuentos que quizá podrían leerse sin la ilustración, quizá serían menos didácticos, pero se podría. Y hay veces que las mismas ilustraciones van entrelazando una historia, es ahí la clave de este libro.
Un gorila, un libro no solo para contar, cae justamente en ese enfoque, en el darnos el espacio de aprender a contar con bellas ilustraciones, a través de distintas especies de primates, y luego darnos un bello mensaje: la diversidad. Recomendadísimo para adentrar al futuro de esta sociedad a un mundo más multicultural.
Un gorila, un libro no solo para contar, cae justamente en ese enfoque, en el darnos el espacio de aprender a contar con bellas ilustraciones, a través de distintas especies de primates, y luego darnos un bello mensaje: la diversidad. Recomendadísimo para adentrar al futuro de esta sociedad a un mundo más multicultural.
October 13, 2022
Guau !!!!!!! Me ha encantado 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
No quise leer la sinopsis porque quería sorprenderme y ha sido superemocionante cuando he visto que se trataba de ilustraciones preciosas de 10 especies distintas de primates, no me lo esperaba. Me parece un recurso superllamativo y bonito y guay para introducir una pequeña mirada curiosa en el mundo de los primates, que es tan grande y del que se le habla tan poco a los niños.
Pero, desde luego, mi parte favorita ha sido el final: "Todos son primates. Todos son una gran familia. Todos son mi familia... ¡y también la tuya!" ❤️. Puede llevar a conversaciones muy importantes sobre los animales y cómo son muy diversos y nosotros somos solo una muestra más de esa diversidad.
No quise leer la sinopsis porque quería sorprenderme y ha sido superemocionante cuando he visto que se trataba de ilustraciones preciosas de 10 especies distintas de primates, no me lo esperaba. Me parece un recurso superllamativo y bonito y guay para introducir una pequeña mirada curiosa en el mundo de los primates, que es tan grande y del que se le habla tan poco a los niños.
Pero, desde luego, mi parte favorita ha sido el final: "Todos son primates. Todos son una gran familia. Todos son mi familia... ¡y también la tuya!" ❤️. Puede llevar a conversaciones muy importantes sobre los animales y cómo son muy diversos y nosotros somos solo una muestra más de esa diversidad.
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