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The Boy and the Gorilla
This profoundly moving tale about a grieving boy and an imaginary gorilla makes real the power of talking about loss.
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? Yet with the gorilla’s friendship, the boy slowly begins to discover moments of comfort in tending flowers, playing catch, and climbing trees. 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. Author Jackie Azúa Kramer’s quietly thoughtful text and illustrator Cindy Derby’s beautiful impressionistic artwork depict how this tender relationship leads the boy to open up to his father and find a path forward. Told entirely in dialogue, this direct and deeply affecting picture book will inspire conversations about grief, empathy, and healing beyond the final hope-filled scene. "Luminous." Kirkus Starred Review.
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? Yet with the gorilla’s friendship, the boy slowly begins to discover moments of comfort in tending flowers, playing catch, and climbing trees. 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. Author Jackie Azúa Kramer’s quietly thoughtful text and illustrator Cindy Derby’s beautiful impressionistic artwork depict how this tender relationship leads the boy to open up to his father and find a path forward. Told entirely in dialogue, this direct and deeply affecting picture book will inspire conversations about grief, empathy, and healing beyond the final hope-filled scene. "Luminous." Kirkus Starred Review.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2020
About the author
Jackie Azúa Kramer
18 books111 followersJackie Azúa Kramer is an award-winning and internationally translated children’s book author. Her picture books include THE GREEN UMBRELLA, 2017 Bank Street College Best Children’s Books of the Year; IF YOU WANT TO FALL ASLEEP; THE BOY AND THE GORILLA, 2021 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner; I WISH YOU KNEW, Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books and Parents’ Magazine Book Club Pick; MILES WON’T SMILE; DOROTHY AND HERBERT: AN ORDINARY COUPLE AND THEIR EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION OF ART, Junior Library Guild Gold Selection. Her upcoming picture books are MANOLO AND THE UNICORN, WE ARE ONE, EMPANADAS FOR EVERYONE and BOOGIE IN THE BRONX.
Jackie strives to write books that meet children where they are and reflect what children see in the mirror and out of their windows. She lives with her family in Long Island, NY.
Jackie is a member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and is represented by Stephen Fraser of Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency.
Jackie strives to write books that meet children where they are and reflect what children see in the mirror and out of their windows. She lives with her family in Long Island, NY.
Jackie is a member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and is represented by Stephen Fraser of Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
December 3, 2020
In a mixing of metaphors, unspoken grief is the 800-pound gorilla in the room of a household that has recently experienced a death in the family. Or is the gorilla a metaphor, since he is actually there and breaks the silence about the dead person.
Regardless, this sad but very well done book should be a pretty effective tool to begin a philosophical conversation about death with a young person.
Regardless, this sad but very well done book should be a pretty effective tool to begin a philosophical conversation about death with a young person.
December 8, 2020
A gorilla comforts a boy after his mother passes away and helps the boy to find a way to speak to his father about his grief. A deeply sad, a deeply consoling book.
July 31, 2021
Beautiful illustrations, this would be a thoughtful gift for a child who has recently lost a parent. If you are looking for books to share with your own children or students on the loss of a loved one or death, other titles you may enjoy are Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs by Tomie dePaola, City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems or The Rough Patch by Brian Lies.
November 25, 2020
Wow, this book floored me. The art is beautiful and the narration is very well-done.
October 6, 2023
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.
October 19, 2020
Richie’s Picks: THE BOY AND THE GORILLA by Jackie Azua Kramer and Cindy Derby, ill. Candlewick, October 2020, 48p., ISBN: 978-0-7636-9832-4
“Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and they died”
-- Jim Carroll (1980)
There will be ten thousand movies made about the year 2020. None of them are going to make us nostalgic, make us want to go back and do 2020 a second time.
220,368. That’s the US death toll currently listed on the John Hopkins Coronavirus website. It has increased by thousands since I wrote my rough draft a few days ago. Marking my significant sixty-fifth birthday at the beginning of the pandemic and then seeing all those people, including a family member, die, I’ve become far more attuned to mortality.
With so much death on the news, and in those homes where there is an empty space at the dinner table, we need a good book for little kids about death.
THE BOY AND THE GORILLA is that book.
“How do you know when someone dies?
A person’s body stops working.
Like their heartbeat?
Yes.
Will we all die?
Yes. We all do. But you have many more kites to fly.
Where did Mom go?
No one knows for sure.
Maybe Mom’s here. She liked the waves.
Can’t my mom come back home.
No. But she’s always with you.”
THE BOY AND THE GORILLA is equally notable for its acutely relevant discussion of death, and for its compelling visual story of an imaginary gorilla who arrives in the wake of a little boy’s mother’s funeral and becomes his constant companion. On the swings, in the house, at the shore, and on the bus, the gorilla is a steady, comforting presence, providing companionship, answers, and advice to the boy.
This is a notable picture book about death, published at a timely moment when it is needed.
Be well. Wear a mask.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
Those are people who died, died
They were all my friends, and they died”
-- Jim Carroll (1980)
There will be ten thousand movies made about the year 2020. None of them are going to make us nostalgic, make us want to go back and do 2020 a second time.
220,368. That’s the US death toll currently listed on the John Hopkins Coronavirus website. It has increased by thousands since I wrote my rough draft a few days ago. Marking my significant sixty-fifth birthday at the beginning of the pandemic and then seeing all those people, including a family member, die, I’ve become far more attuned to mortality.
With so much death on the news, and in those homes where there is an empty space at the dinner table, we need a good book for little kids about death.
THE BOY AND THE GORILLA is that book.
“How do you know when someone dies?
A person’s body stops working.
Like their heartbeat?
Yes.
Will we all die?
Yes. We all do. But you have many more kites to fly.
Where did Mom go?
No one knows for sure.
Maybe Mom’s here. She liked the waves.
Can’t my mom come back home.
No. But she’s always with you.”
THE BOY AND THE GORILLA is equally notable for its acutely relevant discussion of death, and for its compelling visual story of an imaginary gorilla who arrives in the wake of a little boy’s mother’s funeral and becomes his constant companion. On the swings, in the house, at the shore, and on the bus, the gorilla is a steady, comforting presence, providing companionship, answers, and advice to the boy.
This is a notable picture book about death, published at a timely moment when it is needed.
Be well. Wear a mask.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
October 21, 2020
Wow. A beautiful, touching, frank, honest discussion between a bereft boy and a gorilla about the death of the boy's mother. Well done. The artwork is gorgeous too.
January 9, 2021
Incredibly poignant and powerful story about grief, explained honestly and honoring truthful talk with children.
March 1, 2021
There's something about a giant mountain gorilla guiding you through grief that is surprisingly accessible.
June 20, 2021
Powerful story of young boy struggling with grief after his mother died. Really appreciate the way it honors the child’s point of view.
July 8, 2024
Lovely depiction of grief.
October 29, 2020
It's such a difficult topic to deal with, but Jackie Azúa Kramer has given us a gift that will help our readers dealing with death and grief. On the day of his mother's funeral, a gorilla comes to ease the boy's pain and answer the questions he has, unable to talk with his father. The gorilla patiently answers the boy in a straight forward compassionate manner and stays at his side until he can speak to his father. Once the boy and the father share their grief and memories, the gorilla no longer needed, quietly slips away. The language of the answers is soft-spoken and sensitive- "Where did mom go? No one knows for sure." I am becoming a big fan of Cindy Derby's talents as I discover more and more of her work (Outside In and Too Many Birds), and this book is no exception. The muted tones and the use of watercolours create the grief-stricken and then hopeful mood. A beautiful powerful book that needs to be readily available in classrooms and libraries.
October 17, 2020
Author Jackie Kramer weaves together a wonderful story about a boy who has just experienced the loss of his mother. The boy's questions ("Where did Mom go?" "Will we all die?") are gently and patiently answered by a large gorilla who represents both the enormity of the boy's grief and the subtle way the grief changes and deepens the boy's character as he comes to terms with his loss. I can't say enough about Cindy Derby's exquisite watercolor illustrations, which manage to be both child-friendly and extremely sophisticated. Keep a watch out for the tiny little red bird that pops in and out of the story. It's an Easter Egg for the soul.
February 19, 2021
Beautiful and heart-touching picture book about a young boy dealing with his grief after losing his mother.
The illustrations are watercolor, colorful yet not ridiculously bright. They match well with the somber topic of the story.
The illustrations are watercolor, colorful yet not ridiculously bright. They match well with the somber topic of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2021
After the death of his mother a young boy is visited by an imaginary gorilla that lets him talk through his grief and then reach out to his father.
This struck just the right tone for me, quietly thoughtful.
This struck just the right tone for me, quietly thoughtful.
December 10, 2020
Oh my...💔
April 8, 2021
This book made me cry.
August 20, 2021
This is hard to judge, but the coloring is so peaceful and it features so many questions you imagine a child asking after the loss of a parent.
December 28, 2022
A beautiful story about grieving
September 2, 2023
One of the best books to teach children about death, loss and grief, frank, no cheap metaphysical hand waving or empty promises of magic healing.
Also, a complete parent breaker, obviously.
Also, a complete parent breaker, obviously.
December 23, 2023
Beautiful and meaningful and important
April 2, 2026
a book about grief
November 23, 2020
A gentle, poignant story that walks and talks young readers through grief and loss.
February 16, 2021
An imaginary gorilla keeps a child company during their mother's funeral and through the grief that follows. This book made me cry at work.
August 25, 2021
apraudājos
October 18, 2020
Stunning and powerful.
October 20, 2020
A touching book about death and loss. The illustrations are soft and gorgeous. This beautiful picture book will touch lives and comfort those who need it.
September 25, 2020
A beautifully emotional book. This is the touching story of a young boy grieving the loss of his mother. With an imaginary gorilla by his side the boy asks all the questions he has been keeping inside. The gorilla thoughtfully provides some answers and helps him connect with his father. The topic of death is a hard story to tell but this book delicately provides an opening for children and parents to talk about something so painful.
January 21, 2021
Simple prose and gentle watercolour illustrations share lessons about grief and death.
Unlike many picture books, this carefully, yet straightforwardly, answers questions about death and grief. What is death? When will I feel better?
It is also a story of finding comfort in memories and family, in shared experiences.
Unlike many picture books, this carefully, yet straightforwardly, answers questions about death and grief. What is death? When will I feel better?
It is also a story of finding comfort in memories and family, in shared experiences.
December 15, 2020
(E) a little boy is grieving his mother’s death and uses an imaginary gorilla to help the boy find a path towards healing through sharing the boy’s grief with his father. Beautifully written w. great illustrations. Due to the recent death of my 42-yr. old son, it (1.) made me sad(der) and (2) want an imaginary gorilla: may not be a bad idea…; 2020 early reader hardback via Madison County Public Library, Berea, as per the recommendation of the Berea Children’s Librarian; unnumbered pgs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews