Amazing Gorillas!: An Exciting Level Two Reader About Wildlife, Conservation, and How to Help for Kids (Ages 4-8)

by Sarah L. Thomson

Amazing Gorillas! is the third paperback title in this exciting series of non–fiction I Can Read Books that features kids' favorite animals and spectacular photographs from the Wildlife Conservation Society, one of the world's oldest and most respected wildlife conservation organizations.  The series explores the  amazing  animals that share our world and how we can help them survive. The exceptional writing and design of the I Can Read Books—paired with WCS's global research and conservation efforts, educational programs, and stunning photographs—make this a standout series for children, caretakers, and teachers! This is a Level Two I Can Read, geared for kids who read on their own but still need a little help. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play of Level Two books are proven to help kids take their next steps toward reading success.

Genres: Childrens, Animals, Nonfiction, School, Science

32 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2005

About the author

Sarah L. Thomson has written over thirty books for young readers, including poetry, prose, fiction and nonfiction. Her recent books include Cub's BIG World, which School Library Journal called “a big must-have" and Deadly Flowers: A Ninja's Tale, which Booklist called “genuinely thrilling." She lives in Portland, Maine.

Reviews

[Alexis Caudill]

1. Book summary, in your own words (3 pts)
Amazing Gorillas! is an informational books about gorillas and their everyday lives. It also talks about how gorillas are a lot like humans. It is a very cute book.
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This would be a cute book for students in kindergarten through 2nd grade. It is very interesting and very easy to read.
3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
I would use this book during the reading part of the class and during science when we are talking about animals.
4. Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
Students interested in gorillas would like this book.
5. Small group use (literature circles) (1 pt)
I would use this book as a book for literacy circles to see how students are doing with their reading, fluency, and reading comprehension.
6. Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
I would probably have this book on my shelf for silent reading and such.
7. Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
Amazing Tigers! by Sarah L. Thomson
Amazing Whales! by Sarah L. Thomson
Amazing Snakes! by Sarah L. Thomson
8. Multimedia connections (audio books, movie) available (1 pt)
There are no multimedia connections to this book.

[Robin]

SMART 2018 (learning lots of things I never knew)

[Alexis Sillman]

This book is good for young readers who are starting to read longer but easy sentences! It gives you information about gorillas and how they live their life! Super cute

[Sherry Scheline]

Great read very informative.

[KaitandMaddie]

These are faster reads than the National Geographic ones and the text flows more smoothly, but they are less informative.

[Emily Schlotzhauer]

How are gorillas similar to humans? They have opposable thumbs and they live in families! "Amazing Gorillas" is an informational text that gives all the in's and out's of the lives of gorillas. Did you know that gorillas get gray hair in old age just like we do? Children will love to learn about these creatures who are so similar to our own race. There is even an index at the back so early readers can look up specific information. On the next trip to the zoo, kids who read this book can tell everyone all about gorillas!

[Terry]

There is a lot to learn in this book. It is unfortunate that the presentation style is so stilted. There are wonderful examples of non-fiction early readers with good story lines and smooth reading. Our first-grader was more interested in studying the pictures than in reading this book. This is one we’ll come back to later in the year when her sight-word vocabulary has expanded.

To read our full review, go to The Reading Tub®.

[The Book Reader Supreme]

Gorillas are "primates" we are primates to.Gorillas live in families called groups.Each group has about 2 or 3 females and 1 or 2 young males who are called blackbacks when they are young and when they are grown-ups they are called silverbacks .There is about 1 silverback in a group.sometimes a female might even leave her group and get another group or another .To know more about gorillas read the book.

[Shelli]

Gorillas really are amazing and adorable! Children will love reading this story either independently or as a read aloud. The photographs are stunning and really capture the humanity of these close cousins of ours. Book like this are important in exposing children to animals and conservation at an early age so they will more likely be environmentally responsible adults.

[Gail]

We didn't actually read this book. My 19 month old daughter and I just enjoyed the photographs.

[Schmobes]

Kiddo loves gorillas, so this was great. Level 3, he enjoyed it, and it was nice to read something informational. Ends with discussion of conservation.

[Gunner]

It is sad because some die.

[Roxanne]

This is a cute book about gorillas for children.

[Michael Fitzgerald]

More propaganda. "Gorillas are primates, just like us." I look forward to "Llamas are vertebrates, just like us," and the rest.