Good Night, Gorilla

Rathmann, P. (1994). Good night, gorilla. USA: Putnam Juvenile.

        Good Night, Gorilla, is a picture storybook full of brightly colored painted illustrations. Appropriate for the very young, it is available as a board book. It has been one of my granddaughter's favorites.

        The mode of delivery is primarily visual--every page is covered edge-to-edge with delightful illustrations. There is very little dialogue. The pictures not only have aesthetic appeal, they have cognitive value as well. They tell the story, providing opportunity for description, questions, explanation, imaginative conversation, original dialogue, and playful additions--or more quiet contemplation.

        The plot opens with an unobservant, tired zookeeper checking on the animals, telling them good night as he is preparing to leave for home. Good night, Gorilla... Good night, Elephant... Good night, Giraffe... Good night, Hyena... Good night, Lion... Good night, Armadillo... He does not notice that the rather small and friendly gorilla has taken his keys and is unlocking cages, creating an entertaining subplot. The animals follow the zookeeper to his house, inside to his bedroom where his wife is sleeping...

        The several recognizable animal characters appear and reappear throughout the story. The animals have toys in their cages, and apparently are not keen on being left alone at bedtime. Curiously, the animal that is not actually mentioned in words, the faithful little mouse, can be as interesting and amusing as the star gorilla. What is he doing? And why?

        I highly recommend this book for babies and preschoolers--and further recommend that the adult reader audibly “walks” with fingertips across the board-pages when the animals are marching single file behind the zookeeper through the neighborhood. That has been a special feature of this storybook for at least one little girl, who now does the same as she “reads” it to others. Sweet.

Awards

• ALA Notable Children's Book for 1994
• Bulletin Blue Ribbon 1994
• Horn Book Fanfare 1995 selection
• Parenting Magazine "Best Children's Books of 1994"
• New York Public Library 1995 "Children's Books 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing"


Reviews

"The many amusing, small details...as well as the tranquil tone of the story make this an outstanding picture book."
- Horn Book, starred review

"A clever, comforting bedtime story."
- School Library Journal, starred review

"The amiable cartoon characters, vibrant palette, and affectionate tone of the author's art recall Thatcher Hurd's cheerful illustrations. Delightful."
- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Is Good Night, Moon too sedate for you? Well, here's a livelier bedtime goodnight."
- BCCB, starred review

http://www.peggyrathmann.com/goodnightgorilla.html

Mia telling good night gorilla:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVpGyBYelF8&feature=related