WE CAN HELP PROTECT MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

One of a string of unsubtle appeals for sympathy for rare animals, followed by appeals for money, aimed at recently independent readers (We Can Help Orangutans, 2013).

The book opens by introducing baby gorilla Pikoe and his mother, Izuba (his father, Kunga, and other members of the family group put in a later appearance). The simply phrased narrative mixes basic facts about mountain gorilla traits and behavior with anthropomorphizing or sentimental lines like “Gorillas are sad that their homes are being destroyed,” and “All babies need their mother’s love.” The illustrations alternate photos of gorillas and human helpers in the wild with collaged scenes made by placing crudely drawn cartoon figures of children against painted or photographed streets and other backdrops. A tribute to Dian Fossey (not mentioning how she died) and her foundation leads to the suggestion that children create a collection jar and have an adult forward the proceeds to one or more of the zoos and wildlife conservation organizations in the long list at the end.

Worthy of cause, openly manipulative in method.