Priscilla Gorilla

by Barbara Bottner, Michael Emberley (Illustrator)

Priscilla madly, passionately loves loves LOVES gorillas. There are many reasons why, as Priscilla will happily tell you. But the best reason?

They always get their way!

So when Mr. Todd tells all his students to dress up like their favorite animal, Priscilla's choice is obvious. But dancing around and beating her chest when it's not her turn sends Priscilla straight to the Thinking Corner. As her attitude spreads, soon the whole Thinking Corner is full of her classmates!

Is Priscilla really channeling her inner gorilla, or is she just a troublemaker in ape's clothing?

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, School, Childrens, Humor, Storytime, Juvenile

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 7, 2017

About the author

Barbara Bottner, New York Times best-selling author, is a screenwriter, TV writer, and writing coach, who began her multi-hyphenate career as an artist and actor. Designing off-Broadway sets in the ’60s led her to performance and following her career in theatre, she began writing and illustrating books for children. In total, she has written over 40 books in all areas of children’s literature including Young Adult, Middle Grade, chapter, and "I Can Reads". Several of her award-winning picture books have been animated and translated into multiple languages.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Priscilla loved gorillas. She loved reading about them, looking at pictures of them, and dressing up as one for show-and-tell at school. But when her gorilla antics land her in the Thinking Corner, she begins to wonder if she is the right kind of gorilla - the cooperative kind - or the troublemaking kind...

Priscilla Gorilla is the second picture-book collaboration between American author Barbara Bottner and Irish illustrator Michael Emberley that I have read, following upon their Miss Brooks Loves Books! (and I don't) . I enjoyed the humor of Bottner's tale here, particularly as Priscilla discusses classroom events with her mother, who is obviously very aware of her daughter's penchant for gorilla-esque behavior. The artwork, created in pencil and watercolor, captures that sense of humor quite adeptly. Recommended to all young gorilla lovers, or any child who adores a particular kind of animal, as well as to those searching for new picture-books featuring feisty girls.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could look at Michael Emberley's art all day long. His faces edge just slightly into caricature, all the better to spotlight emotion or attitude. There's always something neat going on in the background, and always some reverberation from the text - beyond the simple one-to-one ratio of 'show what the words are saying. I always recall the patterned upholstery in It's Perfectly Normal - if you looked very very closely, characters sat on couches covered with fabric in a tiny uterus or vulva pattern. That's commitment to the story.

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable. Great read aloud potential!

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tickled me. A young girl obsessed with gorillas is sent to the thinking corner repeatedly for disrupting her class. When she tells her parents that her class is running out in the Thinking Corner, her father informs her that the All About Gorillas book says: "gorillas mostly help each other. They've lasted all these millions of years because the COOPERATE." When Priscilla says she's more of a troublemaker gorilla. Her father replies that if she likes being a troublemaker maybe she should be a different animal - a skunk.

[Sara Grochowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent! PRISCILLA GORILLA is a humorous, thoughtful story of a passionate girl whose love of gorillas sometimes gets a bit out of hand. A must have for home, library, and classroom collections.

[Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a great appreciation of books about children who express their individuality despite the repressive nature of some adults. Priscilla is a free spirit. Her mom and dad encourage her to be. Priscilla is also nuts about gorillas. At school, her enthusiasm gets her into hot water with her teacher. In Barbara Bottner's Priscilla Gorilla, it's the teacher, Mr. Todd, who gets schooled not only about gorillas, but also about all things Priscilla. This book is illustrated in a magnificently fun-filled style and has a terrific little story as well.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be in the Thinking Corner.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: When Priscilla turned six, her dad gave her a book called ALL ABOUT GORILLAS. They read it a million skillion times!

Premise/plot: Priscilla spends a LOT of time in her classroom's thinking corner. It could be because she's a HUGE distraction to the rest of her class. Priscilla is so completely-absolutely obsessed with gorillas that she does not want to learn, at least in a traditional sense of the word.

My thoughts: To teachers everywhere looking for a book besides Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes to read aloud at the start of the year, I give you Priscilla Gorilla.

I liked it. I'm not sure I loved, loved, loved it. Priscilla is an over-the-top character. It's just as easy to forgive her as to get mad at her in the first place. The book is cute.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations and appreciated the storyline about a little girl who is obsessed with gorillas--this will ring true to anyone who has experience with youngsters who get really, really enamored with one subject and have to know everything about it.

That said, I guess the adult in me was rather disapproving of how much Priscilla disrupted class, and how little control her teacher had over his classroom.

[Peyton Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! I think this would be an excellent book to read aloud in the classroom. Priscilla learns the perfect balance of excitement and disruption in the classroom. There are many silly elements that students will love, along with a meaningful story. The illustrations are wonderful, as well.

[Susan Schuler · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute!

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bestselling duo behind the Miss Brooks books returns with a new book. Priscilla loves gorillas, mostly because they get to do whatever they want. She acts like them and dances like them. She loves to wear her gorilla costume all the time, particularly at school. But because she acts like a gorilla, her teacher puts her in the Thinking Corner sometimes. As Priscilla starts to be seen as a troublemaker, other children join her in the Thinking Corner in their own costumes. But perhaps it’s not being really gorilla-like to be so troublesome, since gorillas are also known for cooperating together. Can Priscilla figure out how to be true to her own inner gorilla even if it means cooperating?

Bottner has such a way with capturing the spirit of childhood on the page. Priscilla speaks for all children as she struggles to navigate the lines between being troublesome, being an individual, and cooperating with others. Bottner writes in an engaging way, allowing the story to unwind at a natural pace that keeps readers caught up in the story. The book ends with Priscilla’s class visiting the zoo and the book beautifully comes full circle as cooperation merges with gorilla dancing.

Emberley’s illustrations are superb. He depicts all of the children in their animal costumes with a wry sense of humor, plushness, bent tails and wrinkles. One wants to crawl into a costume and join the fun. The depiction of Priscilla’s parents and teacher are also cleverly done, showing parents who are allowing their daughter to figure things out but also giving a gentle gorilla nudge in the right direction.

Funny and smart, I’m bananas about this picture book. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Priscilla receives a book on gorillas, she instantly falls in love. She talks about them, draws pictures of them and even wears gorilla pajamas. Gorillas are the best, because they always get their way! When her teacher assigns the class to write a report on their favorite animal, Priscilla’s choice is easy. The next day, Priscilla dresses up like a gorilla and goes to school, and decides to stay a gorilla, even after the report was over. The following day, Priscilla decides she is still a gorilla and Lily decides that she is a lion. As the days go on more of the kids in her class decide to be animals, which sends them all to the dreaded “thinking corner.” Will everyone soon become animals, turning the classroom into a zoo, or will Priscilla finally learn the best lesson of all?

Follow the engaging story of an independent girl whose passion can get her in a little bit of trouble. This is for anyone who has a little gorilla of their own, and understands the overzealous nature of Priscilla, and her need to be a gorilla at all times. Priscilla Gorilla perfectly captures the heart, mind and authentic character of a child’s mind and delightfully gives a voice to the child who marches to their own tune.

You can find the rest of my reviews and giveaways in my weekly newspaper column: For the Love of Books-Dixon's Independent Voice

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Priscilla loves gorillas and her gorilla costume and wears it whenever possible. Her behavior in school mimics gorillas and she earns some thinking time. Cute book and nice way of saying she has to think about acting like a gorilla in class. The teacher is more patient than most. Priscilla is a fun, precocious girl and reminds me of many children I know well. The illustrations are so fun and showing all the kids in their costumes for favorite animal reports. But find out what Priscilla misses when she won't take off her costume. The ending has a twist when teacher takes the children to the zoo and the Ape House.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Priscilla loves gorillas so much that she learns as much as she can about them and goes to school dressed up as one. Over time, she becomes more of a troublemaker gorilla than a cooperative one and is often invited to the "thinking corner" by her teacher. Her friends begin to join her there as they appreciate and repeat her antics. However, when they get to the zoo, all of Priscilla's knowledge comes in handy with the real gorillas. Pencil and paint illustrations bring the story to life and help teach readers appropriate classroom behavior.

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really smitten by the illustrations in this book. They have an old-fashioned quality (so maybe invoked a bit of nostalgia?), and they felt very true-to-life in their depictions of school and home.

Priscilla is a bit of a stinker, but I like the way the adults in her life handle her quirkiness, and the ending is sweet. I think older elementary will enjoy this book as a readaloud.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book. It has become one of my all time favorites. After multiple reads it never gets old. Spunky Priscilla remains true to herself and her passion about gorillas. That passion and joy spreads to her classmates and teacher who finally joins in the fun. The illustrations are a delight.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A precocious little girl is obsessed with gorillas.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Priscilla madly, passionately loves loves LOVES gorillas. There are many reasons why, as Priscilla will happily tell you. But the best reason?

They always get their way!

So when Mr. Todd tells all his students to dress up like their favorite animal, Priscilla's choice is obvious. But dancing around and beating her chest when it's not her turn sends Priscilla straight to the Thinking Corner. As her attitude spreads, soon the whole Thinking Corner is full of her classmates!

Is Priscilla really channeling her inner gorilla, or is she just a troublemaker in ape's clothing?

[Elda Hyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was such a great read that was quite engaging! I had the opportunity to read this story to students and they loved it and found it funny. Priscilla loves her Gorilla suit and no one can stop her from wearing it! It takes a lot of time and effort from her teacher and parents to understand that she needs to cooperate with expectations. This would be a great book to use at the beginning of the year for grades K through 3. It really brings in how cooperation is so important in the classroom and outside.

[Victoria Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Priscilla Gorilla” by Barbara Bottner is a delightful read- aloud children’s book with a profound message and school-age wit. Illustrated by Michael Emberley, the protagonist Priscilla is brought to life throughout the book, in such an enjoyable manner it is as much fun to read as it is to look at. Children who hear the story might want to imitate Priscilla’s behavior and adults who read it might recall when they were her age. All in all it’s enjoyable way to spend story time.

[Kelly Boggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover makes me think of classic Curious George. The illustrations are wonderful and I love the font used.
Priscilla is a pretty sassy girl who loves to get her way; she is creative and energetic but struggles with respect. Lots of conversations could be had while reading this with your child! Her parents and teacher gently guide her to make better choices. I like how the teacher shows how he values her interests after she makes a good choice to obey.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another children's book with great parenting techniques: when to let your child get their own way and letting them know in a purposeful but loving way when they've gone over the line! Priscilla's parents are modern and cool. Very satisfying storyline and ending.
I like Emberley's style of drawing active children.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character is passionate and opinionated, and also learns an important lesson that the littlest of kids are sure to relate to. I also like that the teacher did not handle a tricky situation very well, but later redeemed himself by doing a silly Gorilla dance (honestly, if a kid wants to take a picture in gorilla pajamas, let them).

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute story about a young girl who LOVES gorillas. She knows everything about them and is excited to dress as one and share her knowledge with the class. Her teacher doesn’t quite share her enthusiasm for the belief that gorillas also do whatever they want! This was a book I won in a giveaway and I’m certainly glad I can add it to our library collection.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Priscilla loves gorillas. She does a report, then decides to leave her costume on. She gets in trouble in class and ends up in the thinking corner. Pretty soon the whole class is with her. She figures out that gorillas cooperate with each other. So she apologizes and behaves. But she gets to wear her costume to the zoo.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book feels really dated. The art is cute, but the style of the writing and feistiness of the main character feel like they are from books of a past era. I still enjoyed this gorilla-obsessed girl and the exasperated adults she leaves in her wake. Not completely satisfied by the ending, but over all, it was cute.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really not a fan of bratty characters, so Priscilla didn't appeal to me much. I also wasn't really sure what the message was. I understood how Priscilla came around, but Mr. Todd was still a mystery to me. His gorilla dance was pretty awesome, though.

[Chris Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork in this book is great. Mr. Todd should win a teacher award for patience. Although we might not understand what would come later, we get a sense that Mr. Todd would likely have had the patience to handle the class.

[Carol V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an engaging story! Perfect for all the zoo-loving kids out there, especially those that love gorillas and monkeys! What a great read aloud that will surely have the kids laughing. Just ask them if they can dance like a gorilla. I bet they will want to hop right up!