PPBF: Murilla Gorilla Jungle Detective

Author: Jennifer Lloyd
Illustrator: Jacqui Lee
Publisher: Simply Read Books, 2013.
Ages: 4-8yrs
Themes: detective stories, jungle animals, level reader
Opening: The bright sun shone over the African Rainforest. Murilla Gorilla lived in a hut on the mountain. She was asleep. “RING!”
Summary: (from the publisher) Murilla Gorilla, the jungle detective, is woken up by a new case: Ms. Chimpanzee’s muffins were stolen. But who did it? It’s up to Murilla to find out… as long as she can find her badge first! Murilla may seem like a hopeless detective—disorganized, messy and always thinking about her next snack—but out of her mess come some pretty good ideas, and some pretty funny moments too.

I like this book because: I identify with the protagonist. She likes to eat, draw, sleep in, and is in no hurry to miss out on the simple pleasures in life. This may be an Level Reader, but the pictures are simply beautiful, the color compositions so pleasing you will want to rethink your next paint choices. Only missing one thing: I want to see what Murilla has drawn in her notebook!

Resources/activities: Murilla Gorilla Teacher’s Guide;  Murilla Gorilla Kid’s Activity Book; There is a recipe in the activity book, but I like recipes with beautiful pictures if I can get ’em: The Best Banana Bread Muffins Ever {Without Dirtying a Single Dish} at Yammie’s Noshery.

For more Perfect Picture Book picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.