Goodnight Gorilla

One of Little Miss’ favourite books is “Goodnight Gorilla” by Peggy Rathmann.  We were gifted it from my sister-in-law as she passed down her children’s board books.  It’s a tricky book for parents as there is very little text so you have to fill in the gaps on your own.  It’s quite a funny book though, as the gorilla is really a cheeky monkey who nicks the Zookeepers keys and lets out all of the animals.  They then follow the Zookeeper into his house and snuggle up for bed.  We’ve read this book a MILLION and ONE times but my Husband has made it quite the interesting book.  Want to know why?  Well, do YOU know what an armadillo says?  My husband does!

You see, as the gorilla lets out all of the animals, Little Miss chimes along with the sounds that they make.  The last animal to be let out of it’s cage is the armadillo.  So when my clever and creative husband got to that one, he said to Little Miss, “What does an armadillo say?” and then he said “Hmmm”.  My hubby decided that an armadillo says “Hmmm” in kind of a high-pitched, questioning sound.  That’s what an armadillo says!  “Hmmm!”  So now every time we read “Goodnight Gorilla”, Little Miss chimes along with all of the animal sounds and when we get to the armadillo, “Hmmm!”  We’ve even bought another book called “Just Like Me” where an armadillo tries to find other armadillos.  He says “Hmmm!” too!

Thank you Peggy Rathmann, for writing a book that has given us so much pleasure and taught us things we never knew.  Do you have a book that you read with your child that is particularly special?  Do let me know, I’d love to build our growing library with other fun stories.  Until then, “Hmmm!”- next time you see an armadillo (and that happens all the time in England) you’ll know what to say!  You’re welcome.