Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday (PPBF). It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people. I chose this book…well actually I asked my sister Josie what book I should do this week and she chose this book because it is her favorite book! I reviewed it before on my site (click HERE), but she wants to nominate it for a PPB!
Good Night Gorilla
By Peggy Rathmann
34 pages – Ages 1+
Published by Putnam Juvenile February 21, 1996
Theme/Topic – Going to bed / humor / imagination
Opening and Synopsis – The first page of the book –
The zoo keeper is taking his nightly walk through the zoo saying good night to all the animals. The sneaky little gorilla snatches the zoo keeper’s keys and escapes from his cage! The little gorilla then decides he’d (and all the other zoo animals) would rather go home with the zoo keeper than stay in the zoo!
Why I liked this book –
This book is awesome for kids who can’t read or have trouble reading. I think the book is hysterical too. There aren’t many words on each page which makes it easier for young children to follow the story. The illustrations are really detailed so it’s fun to add to the story by saying what you think is happening in the pictures. It’s so fun to add-on to the story using your imagination that anyone, even grown-ups, will love doing it. I think it is a great story especially for kids having trouble reading. BUT this is really my sister’s PPBF pick so I’ll let her tell you why she likes it…
Josie – The gorilla is naughty and funny. I like the animals in the zoo. I like when the zoo keeper’s wife looks surprised!
Activities and Resources – You can learn more about the author Peggy Rathmann at her website HERE. I found a great “sequencing” activity made for the book HERE. It helps kids think about the story and put things into order of what happens. There is a whole lesson plan for the book for pre-school kids from Bright Hub Education HERE.
You can read about what zoo keepers do in real life HERE.
To find more Perfect Picture Books please visit Susanna Hill’s blog HERE!
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Categories: Age 1-5
A great recommendation. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I’m glad you like my…ER Josie’s pick 😉
Great book choice, Erik! Gorilla giggles for all ages that begin with the flip of the cover 😀
Great book! Gorilla giggles for everyone 😀
Gorilla giggles from the first page!
Thanks Ms. Mozdzierz! It is a very “giggle” filled book 😉
Lol, this post made my day, you guys! I’ve read this one before. It’s really cute.
Josie says thank you! (Me too) 😉
I enjoyed your review Eric and Jose! Thanks for the resources too! The zoo keeper’s wife does look surprised doesn’t she haha!
Thank you Ms. Young! I’m glad you liked them! She does look VERY shocked! 🙂
Great review Erik! I love how you point out that kids can “read” the story through the illustrations.
Thank you Ms. Hedlund! It’s true! Really!
This is such a fun book, great choice Erik!
Thank you Ms. Johnson! It is fun!
I LOVE this book!!! Always give it as a new baby gift 🙂 I’m so glad you added it to the list. I can’t believe no one had put it up yet – myself included! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I love it too! Josie had a good suggestion 🙂 I’m glad you like me adding it to the list and am glad you like it Ms. Hill! 😀
What a GREAT book! I love it and like the idea of making up your own story, too. Wonderful pictures, so colorful and animated. Nice choice, Josie!
I’ll tell her you like her choice (she’s still sleeping)! It is awesome! The pictures are magnificently magnificent 😉
Great choice Erik and Josie! Loved Josie’s comments. Sounds like a very funny and imaginative book for kids. I remember believing my stuffed animals were real animals and my monkey slept with me at night — now I see it in a book. I haven’t seen this before, so I’m happy your shared it!
“Thank you Ms. Tilton!” (the two children said together). ||| we’re glad you like the book! It is very funny and imaginative for kids! HA HA Maybe your monkey followed you home from the zoo 😉
I love this book and it is a great review, Erik. I am starting to be able to guess when it is an author/illustrator just by the review.
Thanks Ms. Marple! The illustrations really are the great part of the book 😉
This is a brilliant book. It has been a family favorite for years! Great recommendation, Erik.
I’m glad you like our pick Ms. Larson!
Hi Erik! I always see this book whenever I visit the children’s section at Barnes & Noble. I don’t have a copy of this book; neither have I read it. I’m taking it as a sign that I should grab a copy from the library! Thanks for sharing those wonderful pages from the book! I agree – he is one mischievous gorilla! 🙂
I think you will REALLY like it Ms. Suela! Let me know if you do!
I definitely will. Thank you, Erik! 🙂
😀
Reading through illustrations. What a beautiful review. That Gorilla is adorable. Love it! I have to get this. It’s just too precious. 🙂
I hope you like the book! The other animals in the zoo are just as cute as the gorilla!
Great review…I think I’ll be getting this for my son’s birthday. Thanks!
I hope he likes it!
Such a cute book Erik. Loved it and thankyou Josie for your review also.
Thank you Ms. Tulloch! I’ll tell Josie you said thank you too 😉
Tell Josie she picked a good one! I think it would be fun to read to very small children as well.
I will tell her 🙂 Yes, I think this could be a great book for a “first book.” Thanks Ms. Foster!
Hi Erik! Great choice. I’d actually forgotten about this book. It’s so funny. THanks for the reminder.
❀Barbara❀
Grade ONEderful
Thank you Miss Barbara! I’m glad you like the book too!