Gordon's Got A Snookie

Lisa Shanahan (text)

Wayne Harris (illus)

Allen & Unwin, Australia: 2002

ISBN: 1865086908

Genres: humour, picture book

Issues: bullying, identity, friendship, peer pressure

Winner: 2003 Australian Publishers' Association Book Design Awards
Winner: 2003 Galley Club Awards

There's a newcomer to the zoo - a big, strong, hairy male gorilla who's been brought in to breed with the females. Every animal in the zoo is looking forward to his arrival. Imagine their surprise when they find that Gordon, an alpha male gorilla, has a snookie - a comforter, a huggy blanket, a well-worn piece of fabric to be cuddled when he's unhappy.

Very soon the handsome new gorilla has become the laughing stock of the zoo and none of the other gorillas will talk to him. Then one day Gordon uses his snookie to save a baby gorilla and the other animals realise that snookies are in fact very important, sensible things.

This delightful book has a wonderful interplay of text and illustrations. The story alone is beautifully crafted, containing rhythmic repetitions and alliterations that will appeal to young children, especially. Wayne Harris' vibrant pictures create strong personalities for each animal and are especially adept at conveying the terrible destruction of Gordon's self-confidence as he is mocked and tormented.

A must-have for all libraries and a great book to read aloud before bed, this is a delightful picture book that works on many levels.