I rarely have much to say about board books. Not because I don't greatly appreciate this category, but because a good portion of them were picture books first. Recently, though, I was introduced to a charming little board book named Little Gorilla. The book was originally published in the 1970s as a picture book, but as my first experience with it is in its board form, I decided to call out this edition. My older son bought it for my younger son as his Christmas present. At first I was sort of skeptical about his choice. After all, I used to buy the board book category for Borders, and I didn't remember this book. Of course, one read through told me I was wrong and that my 5-year-old son knew what his 3-year-old brother would like to hear better than I did. Little Gorilla tells the tale of a young gorilla who is loved by all the other animals in the jungle. From a boa constrictor to a hippopotamus to a roaring lion, Little Gorilla is one popular little dude. Soon, though, Little Gorilla starts to become a big gorilla, and he worries that his jungle friends' affections will not be as easily shared. A surprise birthday celebration tells him he need not have worried. Even big, he is just as well loved. For anyone who loves Goodnight Gorilla, Tumble Bumble or Bear Snores On, Little Gorilla will be a great addition to the bedtime story rotation.
