Bibliography:
Grimes, Nikki. 2007. When Gorilla Goes Walking. New York: Orchard Books. ISBN 9780439317702
Grimes, Nikki. 2007. When Gorilla Goes Walking. New York: Orchard Books. ISBN 9780439317702
Plot Summary:
Through poetry, Grimes explores the relationship between a young girl, cecilia, and her cat, Gorilla. Cecilia's best friend, who is also named Cecilia, has three brothers. Cecilia as an only child begs her mother for an animal, thereby receiving Gorilla, the cat. Gorilla has no fear and chases dogs. People laugh at her "tailless rump." However, Gorilla does not care because "it was never there." Gorilla takes care of Cecilia when she is sick, tries to answer the telephone, and gets in trouble when Cecilia gets in trouble. Gorilla is very jealous and only likes "soul food." When Cecilia's best friend, Cecilia, moves away, Gorilla is there to comfort her.
Through poetry, Grimes explores the relationship between a young girl, cecilia, and her cat, Gorilla. Cecilia's best friend, who is also named Cecilia, has three brothers. Cecilia as an only child begs her mother for an animal, thereby receiving Gorilla, the cat. Gorilla has no fear and chases dogs. People laugh at her "tailless rump." However, Gorilla does not care because "it was never there." Gorilla takes care of Cecilia when she is sick, tries to answer the telephone, and gets in trouble when Cecilia gets in trouble. Gorilla is very jealous and only likes "soul food." When Cecilia's best friend, Cecilia, moves away, Gorilla is there to comfort her.
Critical Analysis:
The poetry, it's believability, and the easiness with which the reader can relate to the various situations are what makes this collection so strong. In Learning the Rules, Cecilia describes how it was not easy remembering that Gorilla was boss. "I run, I jump, I fetch, unless my master turns away and stretches 'cross the carpet, reclining still as stone, ignoring me until I see she wants to be alone." Gorilla's personality is realistic and believable, especially in the poem Jealous. Although the artwork is nothing incredibly special, it seems to fit the poems well. There is not so much going on that you forget the poetry. The poetry is front and center and what really catches the reader's attention. The story of Cecilia and Gorilla is engaging and a real stand-out. Great read for all cat lovers!
The poetry, it's believability, and the easiness with which the reader can relate to the various situations are what makes this collection so strong. In Learning the Rules, Cecilia describes how it was not easy remembering that Gorilla was boss. "I run, I jump, I fetch, unless my master turns away and stretches 'cross the carpet, reclining still as stone, ignoring me until I see she wants to be alone." Gorilla's personality is realistic and believable, especially in the poem Jealous. Although the artwork is nothing incredibly special, it seems to fit the poems well. There is not so much going on that you forget the poetry. The poetry is front and center and what really catches the reader's attention. The story of Cecilia and Gorilla is engaging and a real stand-out. Great read for all cat lovers!
Review Excerpt(s):
Starred review in Booklist: "Written in a variety of forms, from rhyming couplets to haiku, the poems celebrate Gorilla's idiosyncrasies and "everycat" habits."
Starred review in Booklist: "Written in a variety of forms, from rhyming couplets to haiku, the poems celebrate Gorilla's idiosyncrasies and "everycat" habits."
Kirkus Reviews: "Cat lovers will identify with all the feline traits and tricks, and the cat-girl sentiments are precisely on target."
Publisher's Weekly: "Grimes offers up everything from multi-stanza paeans (both rhyming and not) to a sort of haiku ("Gorilla gazes/ into a puddle. Does she/ know she's beautiful?")."
School Library Journal: "Enormous, lively illustrations are paired with an equally bouncy text in this winning picture book."
School Library Journal: "Enormous, lively illustrations are paired with an equally bouncy text in this winning picture book."
Connections:
Pair with other picture books about cats such as Jean Craighead George's How to Talk to Your Cat or Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library by Vicki Myron.
Pair with other picture books about cats such as Jean Craighead George's How to Talk to Your Cat or Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library by Vicki Myron.
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