Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-In this picture book based on a true story, Umande, a baby gorilla, is cared for by Colorado zookeepers when his mother ignores him. They encourage the other gorillas to accept him, and after their efforts fail, they teach him gorilla behavior. When Umande is eight months old, he is transported to a zoo in Ohio to become adopted by an experienced mother gorilla. Hartung uses soft figures and colors to ensure that readers fall for the lovable gorilla, and his facial expressions, cuddling, and toe-sucking will endear him to readers. Faulconer's well-researched account is efficient in details, like the gorilla games. Endnotes explain more of the story. Sensitive children may be troubled by Umande's initial isolation and the unintentional mistreatment he experiences from the other gorillas, but the author's style warms from journalistic to poetic as the hero's life improves.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Umande is a baby gorilla born at a Colorado zoo whose mother can't care for him. Human caregivers take over, mimicking gorilla parenting skills. Umande is eventually matched with a mother-figure gorilla with whom he bonds and thrives. Somewhat anthropomorphic illustrations showing adorable smiling gorillas make the story seem fictional, but it recounts actual--and heart-tugging--events. An author's note is appended. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
