Goodnight Gorilla

Author: Peggy Rathman
ISBN: 0698116496

Summary: "Good night, Gorilla," says the weary watchman as he walks by the gorilla cage on his nightly rounds at the zoo. The gorilla answers by quietly pick-pocketing the guard's keys, stealthily trailing him, and unlocking the cages of every animal the oblivious fellow bids goodnight to. Looking much like an exhausted father, the uniformed guard traipses home toward his cottage, while the lonely zoo animals softly parade behind him. The animals manage to slip into his bedroom and nestle unnoticed near his sleepy wife--until the bold little gorilla goes so far as to snuggle up beside her as she turns out the light.

Unit prepared by Ely Butuyan

Goodnight Gorilla Printables (used throughout unit)

Animals

The story includes some animals very familiar to young children (elephant, giraffe, lion, gorilla, mouse) and some that might be new (armadillo, hyena). Begin a simple study of these animals. Include simple facts such as where does it live? What does it eat? Where does it sleep? Cut and paste facts to the backs of the animal classification cards, if desired (cards are included in the printables file at the top of the unit).

Playing with the Animal Cards

Use the animal cards and have your student show you
~two groups - animals with fur/animals without fur
~two groups- larger animals/smaller animals
~the smallest animal (mouse)
~the tallest animal (giraffe)
~the largest animal (elephant)
~the animals with spots (giraffe, hyena)

Preschool Skills

Left to Right: The zookeeper’s house is to the left and zoo is to the right. Have your child follow with their fingers which direction the animals, zookeeper and his wife are going on each double-page spread.

Counting
On the double-page spread count the houses, the lampposts, or the people in the windows (notice how these increase on every double spread page).

Colors
Notice the colors on the cages and how the zookeeper’s keys match the colors. Does the gorilla always use the correct key? (Yes! He’s a very smart gorilla!)

Language
Point to the word ZOO in the story. Teach the “oo” sound. Mention how this sound is also in the word “goodnight”. Have your child turn the pages of the story and try to spot the word “goodnight”. What other words can you think of together that have the “oo” sound? (moo, boo, goose, book, look, too, etc.)
Make a list. You may want to only teach one of the "oo" sounds.

Observations

~Spot the purple balloon throughout the book.

~Find the mouse. What is he doing? There’s always something funny that he is doing!
~Observe what’s inside the animal cages. The gorilla, elephant and lion cages give clues of what they like to eat. Notice also how there’s stuffed animals inside the cages. What other things they have? (balls, toys) Why? It seems they are all baby animals!

Baby Animal Names
Does your child know the names for the baby animals? This might be a good opportunity to teach some or all of them.

Armadillo=pup

Elephant=calf

Gorilla=infant

Lion=cub

Giraffe=calf

Hyena=cub

Drama
Act out the story! You may want some props- flashlight, set of keys, and stuffed animals. Take turn being the zookeeper and the gorilla. Pretend to walk around a room, the zookeeper on tiptoes and holding a flashlight, and the gorilla following behind holding a set of keys.

Discussion

~Why is the zookeeper walking “tiptoes”?

~Why are the animals inside cages?

~Who do you think ate the banana at the end of the story?

Banana Dippers Snack

Ingredients:
1 banana

5 toothpicks
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
multi-colored candy bits

Directions:
Line a small cookie tray with wax paper. Peel banana and cut into five chunks. Place on cookie sheet and insert toothpick into the back of each piece. Place in freezer for 30 minutes or until frozen. After banana pieces are frozen, melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 60-90 seconds. Stir. Dip each frozen banana in the chocolate and sprinkle with candy pieces. Return chunks to wax paper-lined cookie sheet. Freeze until chocolate is firm.

Field Trip

Visit a zoo. See how many of the animals in the story you can spot. Bring a checklist. Can you spot a zookeeper? What is his job?

Library List
Little Gorilla by Ruth Bornstein

Feed the Animals by H.A. Rey

Curious George Visits the Zoo by H.A. Rey
Goodnight Gorilla...and More Great Sleepytime Stories (Scholastic Storybook Treasures) DVD

Links
To learn more about Peggy Rathman go to her site: http://www.peggyrathmann.com/peggyrathmann.html

A mini unit for this book can be found here: http://www.first-school.ws/activities/books/animals/wild/gngorilla.htm