GO-GO GORILLAS
by Julia Durango and illustrated by Eleanor Taylor
In the jungle at the Great Gorilla Villa, the gorilla King Big Daddy calls for his royal messenger, a mouse on a moped, and says, “Summon every last gorilla / to the Villa, don’t be late. / I expect them all by sundown— / please don’t make Big Daddy wait!” She visits relations one by one to pass on the message, and every gorilla hops on a different form of transport to make the appointment. Niece Isabel rows her boat. Uncle Mario drives his truck. Cuz Clementine sets off in her hot-air balloon. “Go-go gorillas! / Gotta go, / gorillas, go!” All ten arrive just in time for the announcement of a new member of the family…who’s already on the go. Durango amd Taylor follow Cha Cha Chimps (2006) with a snappy simian tale of family and vehicles sure to have toes tapping and audiences giggling. The cartoon watercolor illustrations are full of verve and plenty of monkeyshines. A great addition to any storytime collection; by the end listeners will be chanting along with the refrain. (Picture book. 2-6)