A Great Gorilla by Vera Gereke

Today's read is a nod from Germany. After doing well in the German-speaking market, it's being translated to hit the English one in March 2027. I really should read these in German first, but I never seem to get around to it. Maybe that's a good thing to try to attack in the next year? 

Anyway, I've taken a peek at the reviews on this one and see mixed feelings as some readers say it's bittersweet. Or sad. So, I'm curious to find out what this gorilla is up to. 

Let's open it up and find out!

A GREAT GORILLA

by Vera Gereke

NorthSouth Books

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING MARCH 23rd, 2027!!!

Good Night, Gorilla meets The Dot in this humorous and philosophical tale of how art can make anything possible.

There is a big cage in the city park. Inside there is a great gorilla. Soon, people discover the gorilla's talent for painting. But no one expects just how that talent will set the gorilla free.

This is both the simple story of a clever escape artist and a fascinating romp through important ideas about art, freedom, and animals in captivity. With a bold color palette and cool retro-yet-modern style, Vera Gereke’s impressive picture book debut will delight every picture book reader with one of its many layers.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Thoughts of art and freedom take a slightly different twist as they follow the experience of one very, great gorilla.

The gorilla lived in the jungle and was very happy to be there until, one day, humans came and captured him. They hauled him off to a zoo and placed him in a very small cage, where visitors could watch him. When a child asks what he can do, someone claims that he might be able to paint. So he's given a small easel, paint, brush, and canvas. At first, no one is sure what to think of his artwork, but it's about to take him on the first of several huge twists.

The artwork...that's where I'm going to start...carries its own, creative hint of style, sticking to darker tones of orange, yellow, pink, purple, blue, and green...which probably sounds colorful, but these remain in very dark, earthier directions to keep vibrance at bay. This sets the serious undertone for the read as the gorilla's fate of landing in the zoo will have readers wondering about the ethics behind animals in captivity. His very small cage, obviously, enhances this. The images, however, also draw in and create a rich world for readers to sink into and flip through on their own.

While there are 'ernsthaft' thoughts in this tale, it's also not too heavy, either. The gorilla finds a way out of his cage thanks to his artwork and ends up being more clever than anyone expected. There's a bit of magical fantasy built in...just a teeny-tiny bit to let dreams fly and possibilities remain endless. It adds a playful touch and also keeps the book from growing too weighty. Instead, it's a nice, flowing read-aloud, which will keep even more reluctant readers wondering what's going to happen to the gorilla. And they will hope everything turns out all right.

And here she is...

Vera Gereke grew up in Berlin, Germany. She completed her bachelor’s degree in communication design at the Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design in Kiel. She then moved to her current home, Hamburg, where she completed her master’s degree in illustration at HAW, the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences. In 2026, she won the Serafina Newcomer Prize for Illustration for her debut book A Great Gorilla. Her work is characterized by wit, charm, and meticulous technique. Vera is inspired by comics, city life, and roller derby.