Review by Booklist Review
This large-format picture book introduces the concept of opposites. Presented in a series of brief questions and answers, the book is best read slowly, giving young children time to think before the page is turned and the answer revealed. The illustrations, created with watercolor and gouache, feature meticulous brushwork and attention to detail. The first question, "What's the opposite of old?" is illustrated by a large painting of an old gorilla staring intently but amiably at something unseen. A turn of the page reveals the answer, "Young," and a small painting of what appears to be a baby monkey, sucking its thumb. The other paired concepts are Sad / Happy, Heavy / Light, Alone / Together, Big / Small, and Opposite / the Same. The illustrator and writer of many well-received picture books, Browne won the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 2000. In 2009, he was appointed Britain's Children's Laureate. Fans of his books, such as One Gorilla, A Counting Book (2013), will be pleased that a handsome portrait of a gorilla graces the jacket of his latest volume. A beautiful introduction to opposites.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
In a brief picture book whose impact is greater than its size, a series of gorillas demonstrates the concept of opposites. On twelve double-page spreads, they gaze directly out at the viewer with arresting expressions. The first spread is a portrait of a kindly looking, grizzled gorilla. "What's the opposite of old?" A page-turn reveals the answer: "Young." And now we see, alone against a field of white space, a big-eyed, pinkish-haired, baby gorilla sucking its thumb. This pattern continues ("What's the opposite of sad?" "Happy") until the final pairing, which disrupts the pattern in a funny and original way. "What's the opposite of opposite?" "The same!" And here the illustration -- this time of a gorilla scratching its head and bearing a quizzical expression -- is repeated, humorously and perfectly. Readers will want to linger on each compelling watercolor and gouache portrait and spend some time communing with the creatures. Martha V. ParravanoSeptember/October 2024 p.45 (c) Copyright 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.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Kids are in for some monkey business. This U.K. import about opposites is illustrated in watercolors and gouache and given a simian twist in Browne's inimitable, endearing style. Beautifully rendered primates present pairs of opposites as questions: "What's the opposite of old?" "What's the opposite of heavy?" The adjective pairs are understandable, relatable ones:sad/happy,big/small,alone/together (the last pair is depicted especially winningly, with a gathering of colorful primates, some in costume). Each question is presented on a separate page, paired with a different primate species; its one-word answer appears on the following page, usually demonstrated by a different animal. Illustrations and font type will aid in young children's understanding of the concept; theold/young pair features a demonstrably elderly gorilla contrasted with a tiny, thumb-sucking younger one. The appearance of adjectives in print also helps to clarify words' meanings;heavy is set in bold black type;big is set in large black capitals. The final question's a conundrum: "What's the opposite of opposite?" A clearly puzzled chimp is shown scratching its head: That's a toughie! Adults reading the book should pause to give young listeners time to think before venturing guesses. The answer: "The same!" Unsurprisingly, the illustration depicting that response is identical to the one demonstrating the question. The wonderful cover features a smiling gorilla cradling an adorable toy monkey. What's the opposite of a not-so-hot book? This utterly beguiling offering.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
