Big Gorilla: A Book of Opposites
by Anthony Browne; illus. by the author
Preschool    Candlewick    32 pp.
10/24    9781536235692    $17.99

In a brief picture book whose impact is greater than its size, a series of gorillas demonstrates the concept of opposites. On twelve double-page spreads, they gaze directly out at the viewer with arresting expressions. The first spread is a portrait of a kindly looking, grizzled gorilla. “What’s the opposite of old?” A page-turn reveals the answer: “Young.” And now we see, alone against a field of white space, a big-eyed, pinkish-haired, baby gorilla sucking its thumb. This pattern continues (“What’s the opposite of sad?” “Happy”) until the final pairing, which disrupts the pattern in a funny and original way. “What’s the opposite of opposite?” “The same!” And here the illustration—this time of a gorilla scratching its head and bearing a ­quizzical expression—is repeated, ­humorously and perfectly. Readers will want to linger on each compelling watercolor and gouache portrait and spend some time communing with the creatures.

From the ">September/October 2024 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.