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Гордън и Тапира
Представете си що за тандем са един много подреден пингвин и един мноого разхвърлян тапир?! Двамата се срещат в книгата „Гордън и Тапира“ на страхотния немски автор и илюстратор Себастиан Мешенмозер.
70 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2016
2 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Sebastian Meschenmoser
37 books30 followersSebastian Meschenmoser studied fine arts in Mainz, Germany. His illustrations were chosen from more than 2,700 entries and presented at the Children's Book Fair in Bologna in recognition of him being one of the most innovative new illustrators. As an accomplished artist with several exhibitions to his name, Sebastian Meschenmoser is among Germany's most successful and admired young illustrators for children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 8, 2016
There is a perception here in America about the Germans. It is a firm belief that, as a nation, they are devoid of a sense of humor. Americans love to bring this up. I’m not sure what they’re trying to prove necessarily when they say it, but the idea has been repeated so often that few would bother to contest it. Can you name any German stand-up comics? How about funny imported German films? What about funny German picture books? AH HA! There I’ve got you. Because while I cannot pull out of a hat any comics or movies, what I can do is show you without a sliver of a doubt that thanks to picture books like those of Sebastian Meschenmoser, we have absolute proof that Germans have a distinct and ribald sense of humor. With the release of his latest book in the States, Gordon and Tapir, Meschenmoser plumbs the Odd Couple concept with some distinctive twists of his very own. This is some primo German goofball stuff.
The book opens wordlessly. A penguin goes to his restroom with a newspaper. He reaches for the toilet paper. But what is this? Someone’s used it all up. And not just anyone. The penguin, who goes by the name of Gordon, stamps down the hall to his roommate Tapir’s room. Inside he finds the animal reclining in a toilet paper constructed hammock, an elaborate fruit cup in hand and a headdress that would wow Carmen Miranda on his noggin. Immediately Gordon launches into a litany of transgressions Tapir has engaged in. The floor’s sticky with fruit, the dishes are never done, and why exactly has there been a hippo living in the bathtub for the past few days? Tapir isn’t taking this lying down. He has his own complaints, like why does EVERYTHING have to be so neat and tidy? Why does the garbage have to stink of fish all the time? And why can’t Tapir join Gordon’s all-penguin club? Eventually, Gordon moves out and once Tapir discovers this he gives the bird a call. Turns out, it is a fantastic solution. Now Tapir can be dirty, Gordon can be neat, but they can visit each other and be friends again far better than if they lived together. Happy endings for all.
I’ve always carried the torch for Meschenmoser’s art. From his sleepless animals in Waiting for Winter to his previous penguin dip into surrealism in Learning to Fly the man has a strange kinship with the furry and feathery. So much of the character development in these tales comes from their body language. For example, there’s a spread in this book where Gordon lies in bed on his back staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m. while Tapir does much the same thing, albeit blearily, in his own room. This is followed by a silent film of sorts where Gordon finds a new place to stay in the paper and takes off as Tapir hears the door open and looks up with just the saddest expression in his eyes. Any picture book that dares to go silent for an extended amount of time in the center of the story is being gutsy. It’s not easy to pull off, and Meschenmoser ups the ante (as it were) by rendering everything during those wee hours of the morning in black and white graphite sketches.
Then there are the little visual details and gags. The humor is sublime here. Meschenmoser is just as comfortable with silent gags (remember, this is coming from the man who made Charlie Chaplin references in the images of Mr. Squirrel and the Moon) as he is with words. Some of the jokes are there for the parents doing the reading. Did you notice the tapir in a bathing suit that bedecks the inside bathroom door? Or the fact that when Gordon stomps from the bathroom to Tapir’s room the wallpaper goes from a pristine fish pattern to paper that’s torn and peeling in large chunks? Did you see that the little cactus that Tapir gives to Gordon as a housewarming present is sitting on his dresser earlier in the book? And did you know that every single one of Gordon’s penguin friends is based on a famous author? I’ve good money riding on the fact that one of them resembles Sigmund Freud. I loved that Gordon has a goldfish swimming in his party drink (a tasty treat for later?). And so tiny you’d probably miss them but worth it every time I notice them is this: mongooses in teeny tiny colorful party hats. Life is sweeter because they are there.
But for all that, the real reason I loved this book as much as I did was that the lesson I took away from it wasn’t American in the slightest. Imagine if a Yank tried writing the same book. Gordon and Tapir would have their differences. They’d have their fight. They’d both spend a sleepless night. Then the next morning Gordon would make a concession, Tapir would make a concession, and they’d work out their differences. And there is nothing wrong with a book about meeting someone halfway. Yet what I loved so much about this book was the fact that it eschewed every rote picture book plot I’d come to expect and went in an entirely new direction. Because honestly, let’s face it, sometimes friends are NOT meant to live together. Couples grow apart, people change, and there are times when you are much closer to someone if they don’t share the same space that you do 24/7. Meschenmoser makes it crystal clear that Gordon and Tapir’s friendship is stronger when Gordon leaves. Now I’m sure some folks will read this as a “stick with your own kind” narrative (after all, tapirs and penguins don’t even occupy the same temperate zones) but I’d argue that their friendship belies that. It isn’t that they don’t vastly enjoy each other’s company. They just need their own personal space at the end of the day, and that is absolutely 100% a-okay.
As crazy as it sounds, this actually wouldn’t be the worst picture book to hand to a small child with parents going through a divorce. I think it’s pretty clear from the book that sometimes you have nothing in common with the person you’re living with and that it’s best for all parties if a split is made. I don’t think the book was written with that intention in mind, and that is probably why it would work particularly well. There isn’t any didacticism to plow through. Just good storytelling
There’s a long history of funny German children’s literature that leads directly to Mr. Meschenmoser. Remember that this is the country where Der Struwwelpeter came to light (though its humor is a bit of an acquired taste). And alongside fellow contemporary funny German picture book artists like Torben Kuhlmann and Ole Konnecke he’s in good standing. With any luck we’ll be seeing more of their books coming to U.S. shores in the coming years. So who knows? Maybe if we get enough Gordon and Tapir types of books the humorless perception of the German people will undergo a change. At the very least, we’ll get some magnificent stories out of the deal. This one’s a keeper.
For ages 3-6.
The book opens wordlessly. A penguin goes to his restroom with a newspaper. He reaches for the toilet paper. But what is this? Someone’s used it all up. And not just anyone. The penguin, who goes by the name of Gordon, stamps down the hall to his roommate Tapir’s room. Inside he finds the animal reclining in a toilet paper constructed hammock, an elaborate fruit cup in hand and a headdress that would wow Carmen Miranda on his noggin. Immediately Gordon launches into a litany of transgressions Tapir has engaged in. The floor’s sticky with fruit, the dishes are never done, and why exactly has there been a hippo living in the bathtub for the past few days? Tapir isn’t taking this lying down. He has his own complaints, like why does EVERYTHING have to be so neat and tidy? Why does the garbage have to stink of fish all the time? And why can’t Tapir join Gordon’s all-penguin club? Eventually, Gordon moves out and once Tapir discovers this he gives the bird a call. Turns out, it is a fantastic solution. Now Tapir can be dirty, Gordon can be neat, but they can visit each other and be friends again far better than if they lived together. Happy endings for all.
I’ve always carried the torch for Meschenmoser’s art. From his sleepless animals in Waiting for Winter to his previous penguin dip into surrealism in Learning to Fly the man has a strange kinship with the furry and feathery. So much of the character development in these tales comes from their body language. For example, there’s a spread in this book where Gordon lies in bed on his back staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m. while Tapir does much the same thing, albeit blearily, in his own room. This is followed by a silent film of sorts where Gordon finds a new place to stay in the paper and takes off as Tapir hears the door open and looks up with just the saddest expression in his eyes. Any picture book that dares to go silent for an extended amount of time in the center of the story is being gutsy. It’s not easy to pull off, and Meschenmoser ups the ante (as it were) by rendering everything during those wee hours of the morning in black and white graphite sketches.
Then there are the little visual details and gags. The humor is sublime here. Meschenmoser is just as comfortable with silent gags (remember, this is coming from the man who made Charlie Chaplin references in the images of Mr. Squirrel and the Moon) as he is with words. Some of the jokes are there for the parents doing the reading. Did you notice the tapir in a bathing suit that bedecks the inside bathroom door? Or the fact that when Gordon stomps from the bathroom to Tapir’s room the wallpaper goes from a pristine fish pattern to paper that’s torn and peeling in large chunks? Did you see that the little cactus that Tapir gives to Gordon as a housewarming present is sitting on his dresser earlier in the book? And did you know that every single one of Gordon’s penguin friends is based on a famous author? I’ve good money riding on the fact that one of them resembles Sigmund Freud. I loved that Gordon has a goldfish swimming in his party drink (a tasty treat for later?). And so tiny you’d probably miss them but worth it every time I notice them is this: mongooses in teeny tiny colorful party hats. Life is sweeter because they are there.
But for all that, the real reason I loved this book as much as I did was that the lesson I took away from it wasn’t American in the slightest. Imagine if a Yank tried writing the same book. Gordon and Tapir would have their differences. They’d have their fight. They’d both spend a sleepless night. Then the next morning Gordon would make a concession, Tapir would make a concession, and they’d work out their differences. And there is nothing wrong with a book about meeting someone halfway. Yet what I loved so much about this book was the fact that it eschewed every rote picture book plot I’d come to expect and went in an entirely new direction. Because honestly, let’s face it, sometimes friends are NOT meant to live together. Couples grow apart, people change, and there are times when you are much closer to someone if they don’t share the same space that you do 24/7. Meschenmoser makes it crystal clear that Gordon and Tapir’s friendship is stronger when Gordon leaves. Now I’m sure some folks will read this as a “stick with your own kind” narrative (after all, tapirs and penguins don’t even occupy the same temperate zones) but I’d argue that their friendship belies that. It isn’t that they don’t vastly enjoy each other’s company. They just need their own personal space at the end of the day, and that is absolutely 100% a-okay.
As crazy as it sounds, this actually wouldn’t be the worst picture book to hand to a small child with parents going through a divorce. I think it’s pretty clear from the book that sometimes you have nothing in common with the person you’re living with and that it’s best for all parties if a split is made. I don’t think the book was written with that intention in mind, and that is probably why it would work particularly well. There isn’t any didacticism to plow through. Just good storytelling
There’s a long history of funny German children’s literature that leads directly to Mr. Meschenmoser. Remember that this is the country where Der Struwwelpeter came to light (though its humor is a bit of an acquired taste). And alongside fellow contemporary funny German picture book artists like Torben Kuhlmann and Ole Konnecke he’s in good standing. With any luck we’ll be seeing more of their books coming to U.S. shores in the coming years. So who knows? Maybe if we get enough Gordon and Tapir types of books the humorless perception of the German people will undergo a change. At the very least, we’ll get some magnificent stories out of the deal. This one’s a keeper.
For ages 3-6.
March 31, 2018
Gordon and Tapir were as different as could be. While Gordon loved a clean and orderly abode, Tapir would make quite the mess and always had friends over to stay. Things eventually came to a head and the two had quite the clash. Thereafter, Gordon made a significant decision that would affect the living arrangements significantly. By the time the dust settled, the two were able to live happily, though not entirely as they had to that point. Neo liked the story, but raved about the detailed pencil crayon illustrations, which captured his attention. He hopes that we can live together and not become too much like Gordon and Tapir.
May 16, 2016
There aren't enough books that feature a tapir.
October 15, 2016
Roommate conflicts. Not every pair of best friends should live together, but it doesn't mean they can't be friends.
April 1, 2016
*cue the Odd Couple theme song*
Gordon the penguin is super neat. Tapir is a massive slob. As roommates, they get on each other's VERY LAST NERVE. So Gordon moves out. But they miss each other. So they talk on the phone a lot and come to each other's parties.
It's brilliant. They do NOT move back in with each other, because sometimes not living together is the right thing to do, and the prevailing picture book narrative that best friends sometimes disagree but parting ways is never the right answer is just bullshit.
You don't have to see this as a divorce book, but it certainly works as one. AND THE ART. IS UNBELIEVABLE.
Gordon the penguin is super neat. Tapir is a massive slob. As roommates, they get on each other's VERY LAST NERVE. So Gordon moves out. But they miss each other. So they talk on the phone a lot and come to each other's parties.
It's brilliant. They do NOT move back in with each other, because sometimes not living together is the right thing to do, and the prevailing picture book narrative that best friends sometimes disagree but parting ways is never the right answer is just bullshit.
You don't have to see this as a divorce book, but it certainly works as one. AND THE ART. IS UNBELIEVABLE.
September 12, 2017
Really beautiful artwork in this book!
April 29, 2016
Gordon is a very tidy penguin who lives with a very untidy tapir. The two of them simply can’t get along together. Tapir takes all of the toilet paper to make a hammock in his room and a hat to go with it. He doesn’t do the dishes and the living room has started to look like a jungle. Tapir has complaints about Gordon too. Gordon is too orderly and won’t let Tapir join his club of penguins. Finally Gordon has had enough, particularly when Tapir’s friend moves in and lives in the bathroom. So Gordon moves out. Tapir misses him dreadfully, but Gordon soon reaches out and the two discover that sometimes friendships work best when you don’t share the same space.
Shortlisted for the German Children’s Book of the Year, this picture book is entirely delightful. A large part of that comes from the skillful mix of anthropomorphic animals but also keeping them very realistic as well. These are real-feeling animals who just happen to have couches, dishes and bathrooms. The art is beautifully and detailed, allowing the text to fade into the background for much of the book. My favorite pages are actually free of text as the two of them struggle to make living together work.
The use of the odd-couple dynamics in the book doesn’t feel stale at all and is further freshened by the unique animals chosen as the protagonists. Young readers will want to discover more about Tapirs even if they are slovenly. The book has a lovely story arc that gives a satisfying ending to the book, one that young readers will appreciate as they navigate their own friendships whether they are the tidy or messy one.
A clever look at friendships that gives new life to an old trope. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Shortlisted for the German Children’s Book of the Year, this picture book is entirely delightful. A large part of that comes from the skillful mix of anthropomorphic animals but also keeping them very realistic as well. These are real-feeling animals who just happen to have couches, dishes and bathrooms. The art is beautifully and detailed, allowing the text to fade into the background for much of the book. My favorite pages are actually free of text as the two of them struggle to make living together work.
The use of the odd-couple dynamics in the book doesn’t feel stale at all and is further freshened by the unique animals chosen as the protagonists. Young readers will want to discover more about Tapirs even if they are slovenly. The book has a lovely story arc that gives a satisfying ending to the book, one that young readers will appreciate as they navigate their own friendships whether they are the tidy or messy one.
A clever look at friendships that gives new life to an old trope. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
May 7, 2018
Oh my lord, I never realized how much my refrigerator needs a marmoset. I wish I could go back in time and give this book to my younger self as I was heading off to college. This is the most elegant and loving summation of the potential difficulties of roommates that I've ever seen. It would also work really nicely if you wanted to gently introduce the idea of divorce to a young child, but it's too good a story to put in any one niche. Penguins! A tapir! Meerkats! This book has universal appeal, I promise. The drawings are perfect. All the booksellers with whom I've shared this love it. So do my children. Get on it, folks!
June 4, 2016
Even though this is a book about friends who are opposites, I think you could give this to a child going through a divorce. These friends are ill-suited as roommates, but they get along great once they separate and have their spaces to be themselves instead of conforming to each other's lives.
December 16, 2015
Tidy Penguin and sloppy tapir are quarreling roommates.
March 13, 2016
Because some people are meant to be friends but not roommates.
April 3, 2016
An odd couple story of two roommates with different personalities and what happens when they finally can no longer live together. I think I enjoyed the illustrations more than the text.
July 1, 2016
What a surprise ending... so accustomed to the ethic of "must make things work" it's nice for kids to see that in reality sometimes going your separate ways is better for all.
January 30, 2025
"Гордън и Тапира" от Себастиан Мешенмьозер, издадена от "Точица", е едно истинско бижу сред картинните книги. Това е истинска галерия от майсторски скици, които разказват история с малко думи и много емоции, като будят усмивки (и мъничко размисъл) у читатели от всички възрасти. Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле“: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
April 7, 2019
Gordon and Tapir are roommates with different levels of cleanliness. Gordon is fed up with Tapir's messy habits, and they get into an argument. Tapir also voices his frustration with Gordon's complaining. Gordon moves out, but they remain friends. They are happier living separately than together. This is a sweet story about overcoming squabbles with friends. It is also a good conversation starter about cleaning up one's own messes.
June 27, 2022
I like the message that "getting along" doesn't always mean learning to live with the other person by accepting and living with the way they live. In this case, it means one person moving out, and each living exactly as they like. And staying friends, hanging out with each other, always able to go home to one's preferred style.
April 24, 2024
I think I have found an amazing new author. This book was incredible. It was funny, the illustrations were wonderful. I love the message of the book, and honestly the little details are amazing.
I wouldn't necessarily call this a children's book, more middle school/high school/college, but it is truly an amazing book.
Absolutely 100% recommend!
I wouldn't necessarily call this a children's book, more middle school/high school/college, but it is truly an amazing book.
Absolutely 100% recommend!
December 2, 2024
Modern Fantasy, Preschool-3rd Grade
What a cute story about friendship and giving yourself some space when needed. I LOVED this book! The illustrations are out of this world. I can't believe this hasn't won a Caldecott yet. I'm sure it will! I would love to have a copy of this sweet book on the bookshelf in my future classroom!
What a cute story about friendship and giving yourself some space when needed. I LOVED this book! The illustrations are out of this world. I can't believe this hasn't won a Caldecott yet. I'm sure it will! I would love to have a copy of this sweet book on the bookshelf in my future classroom!
July 5, 2018
I love the details in the illustrations. Each roommate has a hard time living with the other. They observe both character's perspective about their roommates habits. they decide they can be better friends if they don't live together.
January 17, 2023
Мнооого сладки илюстрации! Допадна ми много, че някои страници са толкова ясни, че нямат нужда от текст. Самата история не бих казала, че толкова много ми хареса, но визуално е пиршество за сетивата :-)
January 26, 2017
One of those two stars is for the illustration, which is great. The other is because I didn't like the story, but there's nothing technically wrong with it. It just felt incomplete to me.
October 14, 2017
Definitely a great example of why sometimes best friends should not be roommates, but a great ending of how making changes doesn't always mean friendships end.
April 8, 2018
Checked this out from the library and needed to go buy it! Loved this book!
May 22, 2022
love it!it is so funny!
March 31, 2023
Новата ми любима книга! :)
August 16, 2023
I loved the art and the moral of the story.
August 12, 2024
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet❤️🥰
September 3, 2024
Beautiful art
May 5, 2025
Хубави илюстрации, историята е малко никаква.
July 30, 2016
The buildup to the friends' differences made sense, but the ending left me a little confused. Did Gordon 'let his hair down'? Why was he suddenly comfortable in Tapir's messy surroundings?
Plenty of white space helps keep the reader's eye on the characters and the messiness and neatness that makes the friend different. Simple text in simple black font will invite beginning readers. Appropriately use of wordless pages in the middle will encourage the reader to think and perhaps verbalize about what is happening. The illustrator also used just gray tones for these pages, which also helps set this section of the story apart. However, at the end, when everyone else had gone to sleep, the setting is just a bright as a daytime setting.
I wonder why the author gave the tapir his name, "Tapir" but called the penguin "Gordon"?
Plenty of white space helps keep the reader's eye on the characters and the messiness and neatness that makes the friend different. Simple text in simple black font will invite beginning readers. Appropriately use of wordless pages in the middle will encourage the reader to think and perhaps verbalize about what is happening. The illustrator also used just gray tones for these pages, which also helps set this section of the story apart. However, at the end, when everyone else had gone to sleep, the setting is just a bright as a daytime setting.
I wonder why the author gave the tapir his name, "Tapir" but called the penguin "Gordon"?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews