Little Beauty by Anthony Browne
Walker Books, 2008. ISBN 9781406308662
(Age 4+) Highly recommended. Who could resist a story about a gorilla
who signs? A very special gorilla has been taught sign language, but he
is sad. He signs that he is lonely and wants a friend. His keepers give
him a little cat called Beauty and they become the best of friends. But
one day the gorilla gets very cross with a TV show and breaks the
television. Will his keepers think he is too violent to have a tiny cat
for a companion? However Beauty is loyal and manages to do some quick
thinking to save the day.
This is an engrossing story about loneliness and the power of
friendship. The reader becomes very engaged in the story and empathises
with the gorilla as he looks after his little friend. Anthony Browne's
illustrations are amazing. Each picture begs to be examined closely and
it would be an excellent book to read aloud. It could also be used when
looking at zoos, animals in captivity and animal intelligence.
Pat Pledger
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Consulting, 2007