Alex the Gorilla
What’s inside...
Meet Alex the Gorilla, a most silly gorilla who talks to his buddy, Andrew the Worm, all about his likes and dislikes in life. Filled with fun lovingly hand-drawn pictures by Andrew Y. Chan, he brought his son (Alexander) to life on paper. The father-son duo merged art and family, immortalizing Alexander's love for gorillas, and created a cherished keepsake for generations to come.
Age
3-8
Length
33 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Alex felt when he was trying to make new friends? Can you relate to his feelings?
What does the story teach us about being different from others? Why is it important to accept everyone's uniqueness?
Why do you think Alex decided to help the other animals even when he felt left out?
What would you have done if you were Alex in the story? Would you have acted differently?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing a personal story of a time you felt like Alex, emphasizing emotions and lessons learned.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings after each question, validating each response to foster a safe and open discussion environment.
Link discussions to real-life scenarios, asking your child how they might use the lessons learned from Alex in their own interactions at school or with friends.
Reflect together on the story’s ending, discussing potential continuations or alternative outcomes to promote creative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Alex the Gorilla showcases the importance of understanding others' feelings and perspectives through Alex’s interactions with other animals in the jungle.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being considerate of their friends' and family members' feelings, helping to foster a supportive and empathetic environment.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, Alex learns that working together with other jungle creatures, despite their differences, helps them achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of cooperating with others, whether in school projects or in playing team sports, emphasizing that collective efforts often lead to success.
Example Lesson: Courage and Resilience
Explanation: Alex faces various challenges in the jungle but shows courage and resilience in overcoming them, inspiring others along the way.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to face their own challenges, such as trying new activities or standing up for what is right, using courage and resilience like Alex.
Example Lesson: Importance of Curiosity
Explanation: The character of Alex is depicted as curious about the world around him, which leads to exciting discoveries and personal growth.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore their curiosity in learning, asking questions, and discovering new interests that might lead to personal development and knowledge.