Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! Fall is definitely upon us here in New England – mornings are crisp and cold – days are sunny and warm. The days are getting shorter – and I’m definitely not a fan of that…but the good thing is that longer nights mean more time for reading great picture books…like this one by Jackie Azúa Kramer. The book launches October 20…and it’s already snagged THREE starred reviews. And if you leave a comment and share the post on social media, you might be the lucky winner of a brand-new copy!

THE BOY AND THE GORILLA

Written by Jackie Azúa Kramer

Illustrated by Cindy Derby

Published by Candlewick

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Loss, grief, death/dying

Synopsis: From Amazon:

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.

As I mentioned, the book already has THREE starred reviews – here’s what they say:

In the wake of Mom’s death, a gorilla helps a child process grief and open up to Dad so they may heal and find hope again together…The gorilla’s honest yet reassuring responses offer the child relief in the quest to understand. Feelings of hurt, confusion, isolation, and even resentment are acknowledged, but the gorilla’s gentle presence and wise responses help to recenter the soul…Derby’s flowing application of paint conjures a sea of emotions, and the paintings appear as if viewed through a wall of tears. Well-placed pops of bright color are both striking and uplifting. As father and child (both present White) hug, talk, and walk hand in hand under a sweeping sky, the gorilla fades into the distance. Luminous.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Kramer deftly controls the text, allowing touches of evocative language in the gorilla’s responses without losing the plainspoken groundedness of the boy’s questions and quintessential shock and pain. Derby…uses fluid, graceful, light-filled watercolors that prevent the story from becoming overheavy…The book tacitly addresses the problem bereaved kids struggle with—how to draw on your parent when your parent is grieving too—while walking youngsters gently but surely through both hard and comforting truths about loss. This is honesty with a feather touch, and both kids and adults will welcome the book’s artistry and compassionate candor.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

Following a mother’s death, a gorilla lumbers slowly into the family’s house, then the garden, as grown-ups wearing somber colors disperse…Derby (Outside In) paints loose washes of quiet colors, with the gorilla’s solemn features and commanding presence drawing attention throughout. Kramer (The Green Umbrella) successfully walks a delicate line between foregrounding the boy’s sadness (“When will I feel better?”) and the gorilla’s miraculous presence.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Why I love this book:

1. The text – how does Jackie say so much with so few words? She’s definitely a master at capturing our hearts.
2. The illustrations – they are absolutely perfect – so evocative and filled with emotion.
3. The topic – kids need books like this that can help them deal with loss.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Paper Plate Monkey

Photo courtesy: https://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/m-plate-monkey.htm

For detailed instructions go here

Loss is never easy to bear – and children can feel frightened, angry, sad…and a combination of all of those emotions. Many times they don’t express how they are feeling…or may act out in other ways. There are loads of websites with great tips…here is one: https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/supporting-child-through-grief-and-loss

Here are some things parents can do to help a child who has lost a loved one:

1. When talking about death, use simple, clear words.
2. Listen and comfort.
3. Put emotions into words.
4. Tell your child what to expect.
5. Talk about funerals and rituals.
6. Give your child a role.
7. Help your child remember the person.

And read books like THE BOY AND THE GORILLA…reading with your child can create an opportunity to talk about feelings.

If you’d like to learn more about Jackie and her other books:

Jackie is an award-winning and internationally translated children’s author. She earned her MA in Counseling in Education, Queens College. She has worked as an actor, singer, and school counselor. She is a member of the Bank Street Writers Lab. Her picture books include, The Green Umbrella, “2017 Bank Street College Best Children’s Books of the Year”. The Boy and the Gorilla— “Luminous.” Kirkus, starred review. If You Want to Fall Asleep and That’s for Babies. Jackie’s upcoming books- I Wish You Knew (Roaring Brook, 2021); Dorothy and Herbert- The Story of the Postal Clerk and the Librarian and their Extraordinary Collection of Art (Cameron Kids, 2021); We Are One (Two Lions/Amazon, TBD); Manolo and the Unicorn (Cameron Kids, TBD) and Miles Won’t Smile (Clavis, TBD). She lives with her family in Long Island, NY. When not writing, you’ll find her reading, watching old movies and travelling to her family’s roots in Ecuador, Puerto Rico and Spain. Visit herjackieazuakramer.com or connect with her on social media:
Twitter @jackiekramer422
Instagram

And please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway…and share on social media for extra tickets in the giveaway hat!

For more wonderful picture book reviews and activities, please hop over to Susanna Hill’s website.

Have a wonderful weekend – please stay safe and well.