Gordons Got a Snookie by Lisa Shanahan

Gordons Got a Snookie Reviews

• 
  Cheryl

  Well, other than the zoo setting (which is necessary to bring all these animals together in this situation), this is marvelous. Fantastic pictures which let the animals be themselves, but also be individual 'people' in their own right. And bits for the adults about the special kind of friendship a lady gorilla would have for a silverback, and the catatonic state that bullies can put a sensitive soul into.
  
  But on the child's level, it's mostly just a fun, funny adventure. And it does prove that everyone in a community has value, especially if they happen to carry around a versatile tool. Highly recommended, esp. to Pre-K through 2nd grade I think.
• 
  Heather Gallagher

  I re-borrowed this recently to try and figure out exactly why I think this is as close as you can get to a perfect picture book. For one thing - it's really funny - and it works on multiple levels. I love it that the girl gorillas who are waiting for Gordon (the new great ape to come to the zoo) are basically lying in bed having sexual fantasies about him. I don't think I'm reading too much into it to say this is for parent (Mum?) readers but kids would also find it funny in a quite innocent way.
  
  The air was hot and steamy. "I hope he's big," said Gidget. "I hope he's strong," said Doris. "I hope he's hairy," said Delilah.
  
  And then one of the baby gorillas discovers Gordon has come with a snookie - a small blanket, comforter. Well, this makes him the laughing stock of the zoo. Suddenly, Gordon goes from being new super hunk to isolated and alone. I won't spoil the story by saying how he gets accepted into the fold - but suffice to say, it's an incredibly satisfying, dramatic conclusion.
  The other thing this story has in abundance is great characters - I particularly love the yak and the gnu. And this is where Shanahan throws in just a little rhyme combined with character development.
  
  The yak stopped dancing and gazed at the gnu. "What's a snookie?" he whispered.
  "Don't you know?" asked the gnu. "If I knew," hissed the yak, "would I be asking you?"
  
  And there's lots of repetition but again it's useful repetition, moving the story forward. I also think the illustrations - in cartoon style - perfectly match the text. An excellent read for 4-plus.
  
• 
  Alan

  I'm a theater specialist and am always looking for fun stories to dramatize for my students. This book is just fun! Lots of great characters, nice message, very engaging. My students love it (they still talk about it).
• 
  Ted

  A manly gorilla fights an epic internal struggle between living up to societal expectations and at the same time letting his sensitive side flourish.
• 
  Shallowreader VaVeros

  This a fabulous book. In my top 10 picture books of all time. The zoo gets a silverback to service the ladies but when he turns up with a snookie he gets teased and laughed at. It's all about bullying, acceptance, fitting in and, of course, appealing to e ladies.
• 
  Robyn

  when we got this, nick thought it might be about one of our church leaders, with the same name. oooh eee
• 
  Kate

  I have been reading this picture book on and off for seven years to my class visits and during preschool storytime.
• 
  Nikki

  Great for kids of all ages, even my teens loved it! It has a great moral and is such a fun and hilarious book :)