Why read The Boy and the Gorilla?

Book cover of The Boy and the Gorilla

Book 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 mother’s funeral, a young boy conjures the very visitor he needs to see: a gorilla. Wise and gentle, the gorilla stays on to answer the…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Boy and the Gorilla as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Nancy Bo Flood

Author

This book shows a child grieving after the death of his mother. The gorilla is a subtle but strong metaphor about those who help us through the journey of grief. Words are spare; the illustrations are powerful. In this picture book, grief is shown as heavy, silent, and colorless.

Sometimes it can help to tend to gardens or fly kites or just think about something else. But mostly, it helps to simply talk about it.” Words and images in this book show a comforting and caring relationship between a boy mourning his mother and an imaginary gorilla. The gorilla encourages…

From Nancy's list on loss, grief, and healing.