Parcel for Gorilla; Shelley Knoll-Miller

Getting a present is always exciting. Getting a present you are not expecting is very exciting. And deep in the jungle where the trees are tall and the coconuts grow, Gorilla has just received a very special delivery in this tropical tale.

What’s that rumbling in the rainforest? It’s the sound of some very hungry tummies. Gorilla and his pals desperately need some food because hungry animals are not happy ones. Everyone is excited when Gorilla receives a surprise parcel from his buddy Penguin. But what could be inside? Snake, the Monkeys and Hog are sure that it must be something edible. Has Penguin delivered the perfect present…

We’ve all been there, gotten to the point of hunger where bellies are literally crying out to be fed. And after Gorilla sent Penguin a very surprising gift in Parcel for Penguin, Gorilla is now the recipient of a gift from his feathered friend, but will it be what is needed to relieve those hunger pains?

Littlies will be going bananas for this highly amusing and entertaining tale of anticipation, speculation and the excitement of getting an unexpected present. A vibrant rainforest setting, playful characters and a lively story deliver a read which will be loved by toddlers as much as Gorilla loves Penguin’s gift (even if it is not exactly what the other animals were hoping for).

Excitement leaps off of every page of this little package. Gorilla’s excitable face on the cover is just the start of things to come with the levels of energy, expectation and suspense growing with the turn of every page. I had as much fun reading as Gorilla and his mates did with their very unusual gift. And whilst some may question Penguin’s gift-buying habits, the clever animals quickly come up with an ingenious use for it. 

Toddlers will love joining in with the action, laughing at the animals and speculating as to what Gorilla’s gift might be, big banana bonus points to anyone who correctly identifies the contents of the box, I certainly did not. With adorable endpapers featuring the titular character as he dreams of delicious fruits, this eventful and engaging story will encourage discussion, guesswork and reasoning. Gorilla says, ‘It’s gr-r-reat!’

Recommended for 2+.

With huge thanks to Penguin for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.