Product Description

A zookeeper finds his normal nighttime routine upset when a mischievous little gorilla steals his keys and lets all his animal charges out of their cages, in a board book edition of the popular picture book.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #843 in Books
• Published on: 1996-02-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Board book
• 34 pages

Amazon.com Review
"Good night, Gorilla," says the weary watchman as he walks by the gorilla cage on his nightly rounds at the zoo. The gorilla answers by quietly pickpocketing the guard's keys, stealthily trailing him, and unlocking the cages of every animal the oblivious fellow bids goodnight to. Looking much like an exhausted father, the uniformed guard traipses home toward his cottage, while the lonely zoo animals softly parade behind him. The animals manage to slip into his bedroom and nestle unnoticed near his sleepy wife--until the bold little gorilla goes so far as to snuggle up beside her as she turns out the light. Author and illustrator Peggy Rathmann (creator of the Caldecott-winning Officer Buckle and Gloria) relies more on the nuances of her jewel-toned pictures than on words to pace this giggly bedtime story, making it perfect for observant preschoolers. In one inky-black spread, Rathmann lets only the shocked, wide-open eyes of the guard's wife tell us that the gorilla has been detected! Tiny details such as the faithful, banana-toting mouse and sky-bound pink balloon that appear in each picture keep this book fresh, magical, and fun--even after countless bedtime readings. (Baby to preschool) --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly
Universally understandable subject matter and a narrative conveyed almost entirely through pictures mark this as an ideal title for beginners. A zookeeper makes his nightly rounds, bidding good night to a gorilla, a lion, a giraffe and so on. He doesn't know that the gorilla has procured his keys and is unlocking each animal's cage; a jungly crowd files quietly behind the keeper as he walks home and crawls into bed. When his wife says, "Good night, dear," seven voices reply, "Good night," and it's up to the missus to return the mischievous menagerie. Although Rathmann's illustrations lack the artistic ingenuity she displayed in Ruby the Copycat and Bootsie Barker Bites , the author/artist connects with her audience on several levels. Children can identify with the animals, who have toys in their cages (the elephant has a plush Babar) and resist being left alone in their "rooms" all night; they will also enjoy some minor subplots. Some details prove questionable (for example, one overdrawn visage of Mrs. Zookeeper seems blurry, particularly because she's rendered with a few simple lines elsewhere), yet these considerations take a back seat to Rathmann's comic exuberance. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-A mischievous little gorilla lifts the zoo keeper's keys on the first page of this sparely worded picture book. The brightly colored illustrations basically tell the entertaining story as the gorilla tags along behind the man, gleefully freeing all of the other animals, who then follow him single file into his neat little house. It is his unruffled wife who, without disturbing her sleepy husband, calmly returns the creatures to their cages. Even she, however, does not notice the wily gorilla, who, still in possession of the keys, returns to the house, slips into the big bed, and curls up contentedly between the people for the night. A clever, comforting bedtime story.
Jan Shepherd Ross, Dixie Elementary Magnet School, Lexington, KY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

A gentle and gorgeous bedtime book
My 18-month-old loves to look at this this book over and over again. ("Gwa!") But I don't mind at all... "Good Night, Gorilla" is one of my favorites.

The pictures tell the story in this book; there are only a handful of words. I love the stunningly vivid and detailed illustrations. There are little surprises everywhere you look -- a stuffed Babar doll in the elephant's cage; a family picture of the zookeeper's wife holding the baby gorilla. When I read it to my son, I tell him something different every time. He loves to point out the things he knows the words for: "Keys!" "Moon!" "Abido!" (otherwise known as an "armadillo").

Even though I know what's coming, I can't help but smile every time at the animals quietly following the keeper through the zoo, tiptoeing through his living room, curling up in his bedroom, and then finally following the zookeeper's wife back to the zoo. (You get the feeling it isn't the first time she's had to do this.)

This is a beautiful and peaceful bedtime story. I hope you like it as much as we do!

Fun and funny
A wonderful story. Classic kids' book. They love the art work! A terrific little book for kids. A goodbook before 10 minutes tlll Bed Time. It's sturdy.

Better Than Goodnight Moon
Opposed to other reviews, my personal opinion is that Good Night Gorilla is better than Goodnight Moon (although both are great bedtime stories). Funny and filled with great illustrations, Good Night Gorilla is a charming reader. My sons just love it. Another bedtime story I'd recommend and they love is Ladybug Baby Bug, by Janice and Mark Perkins.