The Boy and the Gorilla

This deeply moving picture book centers on a young boy grappling with the profound loss of his mother. On the day of her funeral, he imagines a wise and gentle gorilla who becomes his confidant, answering the difficult questions he's hesitant to ask his father, such as "Where did she go?" and "Will we all die?" Through their friendship, the boy slowly finds comfort in everyday activities and learns the importance of expressing his grief. The book beautifully depicts how this imaginary relationship ultimately empowers him to open up to his father, fostering healing and a path forward. Told entirely in dialogue with impressionistic artwork, it's an excellent resource for discussing grief, empathy, and resilience.

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 heart-heavy questions the boy hesitates to ask his father: Where did his mother go? Will she come back home? Will we all die? Yet with the gorilla’s friendship, the boy slowly begins to discover moments of comfort in tending flowers, playing catch, and climbing trees. Most of all, the gorilla knows that it helps to simply talk about the loss—especially with those who share your grief and who may feel alone, too. Author Jackie Azúa Kramer’s quietly thoughtful text and illustrator Cindy Derby’s beautiful impressionistic artwork depict how this tender relationship leads the boy to open up to his father and find a path forward. Told entirely in dialogue, this direct and deeply affecting picture book will inspire conversations about grief, empathy, and healing beyond the final hope-filled scene.