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A review by kinsey304
Gorilla by Anthony Browne
4.0
_Gorilla_ is a Kate Greenaway Medal winner. I thought Gorilla was a very cute story. I think this book is appropriate for preschool-kindergarten (ages 4-6) because it is a simple storyline. However, based on the illustrations, I think it would be appropriate for children up to third grade because they can analyze different aspects of the illustration. I would use this book in a classroom to entertain younger children or to teach older children the aspect of perspective in picture books.
The illustrations heavily use perspective in each one. This is first noticeable in the kitchen when Hannah appears closest to the reader, and her father appears further away. This indicates that the point of view is focused on Hannah. One thing I noticed was the use of color and perspective to indicate Hannah's personality. When she is watching TV, the entire room is dark and gloomy except for the area around her which is colorful and full of butterflies and flowers. The illustrations do not run through the gutter. The right side of each page is a single page illustration, but there is a small illustration on the page with the words. This sort of shows the reader the order of events, the small illustration occurring first in the storyline. The illustrations are heavily detailed, which I believe speaks to a use of the style of realism. This is extremely evident when Hannah and the gorilla are at the zoo looking at the primates. The medium used appears to be a mixed media of watercolors, possibly gouache, and pencil. The colors are softer, but there are very distinct details and fine lines that appear to be done with pencil. One thing I noticed was when Hannah and the Gorilla were walking back there was what appear to be a Guerrilla movement poster. I thought this was very interesting to throw into the illustrations.
The illustrations heavily use perspective in each one. This is first noticeable in the kitchen when Hannah appears closest to the reader, and her father appears further away. This indicates that the point of view is focused on Hannah. One thing I noticed was the use of color and perspective to indicate Hannah's personality. When she is watching TV, the entire room is dark and gloomy except for the area around her which is colorful and full of butterflies and flowers. The illustrations do not run through the gutter. The right side of each page is a single page illustration, but there is a small illustration on the page with the words. This sort of shows the reader the order of events, the small illustration occurring first in the storyline. The illustrations are heavily detailed, which I believe speaks to a use of the style of realism. This is extremely evident when Hannah and the gorilla are at the zoo looking at the primates. The medium used appears to be a mixed media of watercolors, possibly gouache, and pencil. The colors are softer, but there are very distinct details and fine lines that appear to be done with pencil. One thing I noticed was when Hannah and the Gorilla were walking back there was what appear to be a Guerrilla movement poster. I thought this was very interesting to throw into the illustrations.