Review by Booklist Review
A petite blond girl and a hulking gorilla might seem like an unlikely pair, but they are best friends in this quirky account of an outing to the park. When the two crash their bicycle, they have to find another method of transportation. At first, it seems like nothing will pan out skipping hopscotch, jumping rope, wishing, riding an elephant, and flying a kite all fail but they've been walking while they think, and suddenly, there they are at the park's entrance! The brief text, largely made up of the dialogue between the two characters, is matched with retro-style digital illustrations that highlight the relationship between the two as well as their differences: the girl is displayed as self-assured and in charge, while the gorilla, at times, lets the situation get the better of him. After they partake in a bevy of familiar activities at the park, it is time for the two to go home. How will they get there? There's a story for another day . . . or, perhaps, another book.--Enos, Randall Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Girl and Gorilla are friends on a mission to get to the city park. Dramatic and exuberant Gorilla thinks up creative, if a bit ditzy, methods to travel. Some of these methods involve hopscotching, riding elephants, and using his tail to jump rope to the park. Girl has a level head on her shoulders and reminds Gorilla that he doesn't have a tail. So, they walk and think, until-voila!-they arrive at their destination in no time at all. While at the park, Girl and Gorilla do all the activities they thought about doing to travel to the park. When it is time to go home, the silliness begins again, bringing the story full circle. Illustrations, dominated by blue, orange, yellow, and red, contain just enough city detail to portray a contemporary urban setting. Cartoonish Gorilla wears bright red trunks and a yellow banana shirt, sure to make kids smile. VERDICT Walton has created another lovely book to share aloud and encourage children to use their imaginations and think outside the box, just like Gorilla.-Mindy Whipple, West Jordan Library, UT © Copyright 2016. 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 Kirkus Book Review
Resourceful Girl and exuberant Gorilla navigate their way through a venturesome day. Gorilla would like to play on the moon, but Girl suggests the park. They set off on her red two-wheeler, Gorilla's bum wedged outlandishly in its basket. Quickly off-balance (go figure), they crash into a trash can, scuttling the bike ride. Bereft, Gorilla asks, "How can we get to the park? How can we play?" Girl begins, "We can" only to be interrupted by helpful Gorilla, who's always ready with an imaginative (if impractical) idea. "We can hopscotch to the park!" So it goes, as they (following Girl's excellent suggestion) "walk and think and think and walk." Like the extra-large toddler that he is, Gorilla's wild suggestions are prompted by what he sees and imagines as they go. Spying a kite snagged in a tree, he says, " We can be kites and fly to the park!' / We don't have any string,' says Girl. / We could use my tail!' says Gorilla. / You don't have a tail,' says Girl." Walton's dialogue-rich treatment, with its repetitive structure and simple words, promises double duty as both practice for emergent readers and giggle-inducing read-aloud. Berger's digital compositions render a retro-hip cityscape; Girl's bemusement and Gorilla's roller-coaster emotions come across as both cartoonish and sweetly expressive. Text and art play well together herejust as well as Girl and Gorilla do. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
