The Boy and the Gorilla

(Hardback)

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Description

This profoundly moving tale about a grieving boy and an imaginary gorilla makes real the power of talking about loss.

On the day of his mothers funeral, a young boy conjures the very visitor he needs to see a gorilla. Wise and gentle, the gorilla stays on to answer the heart-heavy questions the boy hesitates to ask his father: Where did his mother go Will she come back home Will we all die Yet with the gorillas friendship, the boy slowly begins to discover moments of comfort in tending flowers, playing catch and climbing trees. Most of all, the gorilla knows that it helps to simply talk about the loss especially with those who share your grief and who may feel alone too. Author Jackie Aza Kramers quietly thoughtful text and illustrator Cindy Derbys beautiful impressionistic artwork depict how this tender relationship leads the boy to open up to his father and find a path forward. Told entirely in dialogue, this direct and deeply affecting picture book will inspire conversations about grief, empathy, and healing beyond the final hope-filled scene.

Reviews

The beautiful watercolours on the spreads are as delicate as the way in which the book deals with loss. This picturebook is highly recommended as a very moving narrative that deals with a difficult topic in a poetic and compassionate way. * Children's Books Ireland - Mind Yourself *

Author Bio

Jackie Aza Kramer is the author of The Green Umbrella and If You Want to Fall Asleep. She was previously an actress, singer and school counselor. Jackie Kramer lives with her family in New York, USA.

Cindy Derby is the author-illustrator of How to Walk an Ant and the illustrator of the poetry collection Climbing Shadows by Shannon Bramer. Before she was an illustrator, she went to theater school and performed all over the world as a puppeteer. Cindy Derby lives in San Francisco USA.