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Little Gorilla
As beloved Little Gorilla grows up, he discovers that love grows with him. Perfect for bedtime or snuggle-time, this warm and timeless classic reassures readers that as they grow and change, they are always loved.
Just about everybody in the great green forest loves Little Gorilla. His mother loves him. His father loves him. Even Big Boa Constrictor loves him. But Little Gorilla begins to grow . . . and Grow . . . and GROW. And then, when Little Gorilla isn’t so little anymore—everyone still loves him! A soothing, rhythmic text and expressive illustration create a heartwarming story about the security and constancy of love.
Just about everybody in the great green forest loves Little Gorilla. His mother loves him. His father loves him. Even Big Boa Constrictor loves him. But Little Gorilla begins to grow . . . and Grow . . . and GROW. And then, when Little Gorilla isn’t so little anymore—everyone still loves him! A soothing, rhythmic text and expressive illustration create a heartwarming story about the security and constancy of love.
28 pages, Board Book
First published December 31, 1976
8 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
October 10, 2019
The pictures are both sweet and funny. The story is slight, but well-crafted. I would have loved to have read this to my boys when they were 'little gorillas' themselves.
I see there's a board book version with fewer than 1/2 the pages. Hm. I think I'd pass on that, as an abridgment of this would leave out much of the charm. Otoh, it may be a condensation, instead of an abridgment, so it might be ok... has anyone had a chance to compare them?
I see there's a board book version with fewer than 1/2 the pages. Hm. I think I'd pass on that, as an abridgment of this would leave out much of the charm. Otoh, it may be a condensation, instead of an abridgment, so it might be ok... has anyone had a chance to compare them?
January 3, 2017
My children love this book. I think mainly because the illustrations are just scary enough to grab their attention (example: roaring lion), without being too scary to steal their delight. They also can relate to the main character (little gorilla) who struggles with the transition between being a baby to growing "big". I think the text is a bit awkward to read, but not so much that It prevents me from enjoying reading or aloud.
May 16, 2008
Little Gorilla is a perfect book for approximate ages one to three years. It succeeds in many ways. Physically, it is a good size for small hands, it is a sturdy board book, and it is the right length for this age. The illustrations are simple and engaging and characters and their expressions are easily recognizable. Thematically, it deals with an important issue facing the toddler set -- growing up and transitioning out of babyhood. The book gently assures the reader that everyone who loved the baby he once was will, in turn love the person he is growing up to be. Little Gorilla is supported by many characters in his community (a large, extended family, and a diverse group of friends). Overall, the overarching messages of "change is good" and "help is all around you" are clearly expressed. I can't recommend this book highly enough for very young children.
September 13, 2009
I just bought this book for a 2 year old who just became a big sister. To me it is the perfect book to give toddler/preschooler who has a new baby in the house because it gives the message that adults continue to love you as you grow up, and it doesn't mention siblings at all.
August 20, 2016
The Library of Congress description (one of my favorite things about children's books) really gets at the subtext of this story.
June 7, 2020
This is a lovely book for kids about the love offered by family and community to the growing child!
January 12, 2022
This book about a well-loved baby gorilla owes most of its charm to the author's darling illustrations.
An oldie, but a goodie.
An oldie, but a goodie.
December 29, 2010
Little Gorilla lives in the jungle with lots of different animals who all love him. His family loves him, giraffes love him, snakes love him and even hippos love him. Gorilla worries that when he grows up everyone will no longer love him. Finally, Gorilla does grow up and everyone still loves him.
The illustrations are the best part of this book. The illustrations portray all of the animals as being friendly and happy. The pictures are made with different textures, and done with great detail. The pictures add to the story. Without the pictures, you would not know what Little Gorilla did with any of his friends, only that he had them.
This book would be best for a one-on-one reading environment. In order to get the most out of this book, children need to be able to see the illustrations. This book is a good method of teaching children that no matter what, they will always be loved.
The illustrations are the best part of this book. The illustrations portray all of the animals as being friendly and happy. The pictures are made with different textures, and done with great detail. The pictures add to the story. Without the pictures, you would not know what Little Gorilla did with any of his friends, only that he had them.
This book would be best for a one-on-one reading environment. In order to get the most out of this book, children need to be able to see the illustrations. This book is a good method of teaching children that no matter what, they will always be loved.
November 22, 2013
Sometimes children are afraid of growing up. They think that things will be different and that change might scare them. This story could be used to address this issue. Little gorilla was loved by all the animals in the forest. Something happens though… Little Gorilla grows and grows and he is not so little anymore. In fact he is very big now! Little Gorilla doesn’t know what to think about this change. The illustration after we see how big the gorilla is makes it look like the other animals are sad now. Then we flip the next page and see that all the animals are just coming to say happy birthday and Little Gorilla is still loved by all in the forest. This shows that just because changes happen doesn’t mean things will be bad, in fact sometimes they will be better! Changes are a part of life and no matter what happens things will be okay.
May 27, 2018
Growing up can be scary, especially for kids who were adorable babies but now find that they aren't getting the same attention that they used to. Enter Little Gorilla. Everyone loved the Little Gorilla because he is cute and tiny and sweet. But every little gorilla has to grow up and one day Little Gorilla is suddenly much, much bigger than all his friends. He can't do all the same things any more and isn't as cute and cuddly. But everyone loves him anyway.
With sparse but adorable illustrations and very clear writing, this is a great book for both one on one story time as well as reading aloud to a group. It's perfect for helping little ones realize that they are still just as lovable once they get taller and aren't the tiniest person in the room any more.
With sparse but adorable illustrations and very clear writing, this is a great book for both one on one story time as well as reading aloud to a group. It's perfect for helping little ones realize that they are still just as lovable once they get taller and aren't the tiniest person in the room any more.
January 29, 2011
This book is about a gorilla that begins growing bigger and bigger as his birthday nears. As children go through many growing stages in life, this book can help offer a little support to those feeling as though they may be too different to belong anymore. The moral of this story is that children will still be loved by family and friends even when they begin to change. A great comfort story.
Main Character: gorilla
Other Animals in the book: butterfly, parrot, monkey, boa constrictor, giraffe, elephant, lion, hippo,
Main Character: gorilla
Other Animals in the book: butterfly, parrot, monkey, boa constrictor, giraffe, elephant, lion, hippo,
January 16, 2020
My crowd was a little young for this today. Probably better for 2's-3's. Everyone loves Little Gorilla even when he grows into a big gorilla. 8/15/12
Used for my birthday PJ Story time. An older child, said his younger sibling loved it. 1/15/13
Chosen for my Monkey PJ Story Time and went over well, identifying animals.
Moms really seem to enjoy this at my Monkey Lap Time. 8/9/15
Used for a Monkey lap time again 7/12/16
Used in Primate Baby/Toddler and Family Story Time 7/13/19
Used in Birthday Baby/Toddler Story Time
Used for my birthday PJ Story time. An older child, said his younger sibling loved it. 1/15/13
Chosen for my Monkey PJ Story Time and went over well, identifying animals.
Moms really seem to enjoy this at my Monkey Lap Time. 8/9/15
Used for a Monkey lap time again 7/12/16
Used in Primate Baby/Toddler and Family Story Time 7/13/19
Used in Birthday Baby/Toddler Story Time
March 15, 2010
Both of my children LOVED/love this story. It was one of the first stories that prompted reactions from them...even at very young ages (beginning at around 8 months). It remains a story that is still being requested at three years of age. The illustrations of the gorilla as he grows "big" are adorable and never fail to elicit a giggle or two...or three. Bornstein is adept at building anticipation, even for the youngest of readers.
January 3, 2011
This is a wonderfully simple story about a little gorilla who is loved by his family and all the animals that surround him. They show their love for him in funny, unique ways. The little gorilla begins to grow and grow off the page until he is a very big gorilla indeed, and has a birthday (with cake!), but everyone still loves him. An instant favorite with my two preschoolers and with a couple of other little kids who were listening to us read it at the local bookstore.
October 11, 2012
Everybody loves little gorilla, but then he grows big and is no longer little. Then they sing him "Happy Birthday," and they all still love him. With a simple, repetitive text and a message that assuages children's fear of being loved less as they grow bigger, Little Gorilla would make a great birthday read for any child--maybe even a senior in high school about to leave home, like my oldest daughter.
June 6, 2014
This is the first book I remember demanding to have read to me as a child. I was over-active, and easily excitable, and was - like many young kids - nicknamed "little monkey".
Over 20 years later I still have this book on my bookshelf.
The full page illustrations are wonderful, the story simple and the morals not too deep nor too shallow.
A wonderful short story for young kids, and easy enough to introduce young-uns to reading. (often only a few words per page, if that)
Over 20 years later I still have this book on my bookshelf.
The full page illustrations are wonderful, the story simple and the morals not too deep nor too shallow.
A wonderful short story for young kids, and easy enough to introduce young-uns to reading. (often only a few words per page, if that)
July 8, 2014
This was a nice message for my three year old who is struggling a little with her transition to being a "big girl." I imagine it would be good choice for any child who wants to hold on to their baby talk etc. in hopes of garnering the attention that little babies always seem to receive. It's just one more way to reiterate the reassuring message that we love our children just as much as they grow up.
January 25, 2010
You used to be both frightened of and riveted by the lion page. You would refuse to allow us to turn to it as we got close to it, but then ask to see it a moment later, only to turn the page as quickly as possible the moment you glimpsed the lion's face. You are also drawn to the page when Little Gorilla is in trouble and helped by the Giraffe.
April 6, 2015
One of my top five favorite board books. Little Gorilla is the story of a how a very tiny cute gorilla grows up and up and up but everyone loves him even as he gets very big. Great for children who aren't so sure they want to get bigger, it's so sweet how the entire jungle helps raise the baby and the simple illustrations are perfect.
August 19, 2019
Sweet story about a little gorilla who is loved by all those around him. He grows and eventually has a birthday and everyone still loves him. There's not really much to this one, but the pictures are charming and it's a good lesson that growing up and change doesn't have to mean that people stop being friends.
June 29, 2008
OMG - the face of little gorilla when he's getting wet is priceless!! It's also a good book to read with younger set to let them know that just because they are getting bigger, their family still loves them
February 22, 2011
Little Gorilla family loves him. Even everybody in the great green forest loved him he even growed and everybody still loved him. I enjoyed this short sweet book about love and students would enjoy it too.
April 23, 2011
A cute story with a good tale. A young gorilla is loved by all in his community,even as he grows. This is a great story to share with your children to teach them you will always love them, even as they grow and get older. The illustrations are simple and very captivating for children.
September 8, 2011
Cute story, beautiful illustrations. And this book is the sole reason my son yells out GORILLA! at the zoo when the rest of the kids are calling them monkeys! :)
Very sweet book, one of my son's favorites.
Very sweet book, one of my son's favorites.
June 17, 2012
A simple story about the unconditional and instant love for a new baby in the family. In this case--a new baby gorilla. Beautiful sketches. The author has a life-long love of Gorillas and it shows in her drawings.
October 12, 2012
Sweet book about how Little Gorilla is so loved by all in his community---even when he gets big. Conversation starter about family, neighborhoods, growing up--as well as animals, adjectives, birthdays and colors. Potential for discussion about opposites as well--big and little, old and young.
January 21, 2018
Summary: Little Gorilla is well liked. Will he still be well liked?
Why I Read This: It was on one of my "best of" lists.
Review: I liked it. I'll even admit that I was scared of what the last page would say, which is pretty telling about my life experiences. It's a good birthday book.
Why I Read This: It was on one of my "best of" lists.
Review: I liked it. I'll even admit that I was scared of what the last page would say, which is pretty telling about my life experiences. It's a good birthday book.
March 20, 2018
Very cute story about a baby gorilla who everyone loves, but will they still love him when he isn't so little anymore? Great story for youngsters who might be experiencing jealousy of a younger sibling.
January 5, 2018
Meh, nothing happened and the art was super dated.
September 11, 2019
The story of unconditional love between caregivers and children.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews