Willy and Hugh

Willy

by Anthony Browne

Willy and Hugh are very different but they can both bring something special to their friendship. This classic picture book from master artist, Anthony Browne is now available in mini treasure format.Mini treasures are delightful mini picture books to treasure forever.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Animals, Spanish Literature, Humor

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Anthony Browne, a Hans Christian Andersen Medalist, is the author-illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including Silly Billy and Little Beauty. He lives in Kent, England.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Laura Hickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willy and Hugh is a heart-warming picture book about a developing friendship. Willy is a small scrawny chimp, who has no friends and walks around very lonely. The huge gorillas in this book ignore Willy and won’t let him play with them. One day, while Willy was walking with his head slumped, he collides with Hugh Jape, a gorilla. Hugh was running and did not see Willy. He helps Willy up and apologises for knocking him over. Throughout the day, Willy and Hugh enjoy each others company. They watch the other gorillas run around the park, they go to the zoo and the library together. We see their friendship blossom through this book. Hugh stands up for Willy when Buster Nose threatens Willy. On the other hand, Willy catches a spider close to Hugh, because he is terrified of them. After having a lovely day together, they decide to meet up the next day.
There is an important lesson to be learned in this book. It doesn’t matter what people look like, if they have different features or have different interests, all that matters is that people can bond over other aspects in their lives and be kind and friendly to one another, no matter what. It is a lovely book to read to very young children, perhaps Foundation Stage and Year One. It is a concept that can be taught to children on their first days at school, showing them that everyone can be kind to one another. I found this book very heart-warming and couldn’t help myself but gush over the loving nature of the book.
I would definitely try and incorporate this book into ‘story –time’ if I had children just starting school.

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It’s not easy being a chimp in a world of oversized gorillas." That tagline from the blurb grabbed my attention and made me laugh; how often I have felt like a very small chimp in the gorilla cage! Willy is a hapless little chimp who feels lonely--until he runs into big-hearted Hugh.

I read this with a 13-year-old student I tutor in English. The vocabulary is far below that level (I would say 6-7) but the wonderful, detailed illustrations make the book come alive--to the place that my student (who is as afraid of spiders as I am!) covered that part of the page with her hand. I used the park illustrations to reinforce the difference between present continuous and present simple: "What are those gorillas doing? Where are they going? Do you like to fly kites? Do you go jogging?" etc. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this simple book was an excellent springboard for conversation. Then I asked her to read it aloud to me, as Willy read to Hugh in the library. She enjoyed doing it.

[Kokelector · Rating 5 out of 5]

Son diferentes: de tamaño por sobre todo, pero ante ello son de una misma especie (quizás alegoría perfecta de la humanidad). Todos tienes amistades, menos Willy, no lo dejaban ser parte de sus juegos. Hasta que una vez en el parque "choca" directamente con Hugo. Y en esa extraña interacción comenzará una amistad que comparte mucho más puntos de vista cercanos, de los que pensamos acerca de otra y otros. Gran metáfora en torno a cómo, algunas veces, encontramos las amistades en esos lugares que no teníamos previsto y cómo pueden transformarnos la vida.
¡Hermoso!

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's amazing how a picture book can bring back such a flood of memories just by one image, whilst having an important message that still appeals today.

The unlikeliest friendship between Willy and Hugh is so sweet.
I could recall the small chimp and his jumper, but it was the pairs visit to the zoo that brought it all back.

The fun word play 'Hugh Jape' and the themes the pair being different but equally helping each other out is so wholesome.

[Jenna White · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books as a kid. Such a cute story. ❤️

[Helen Byrne]

Willy and Hugh by Anthony Browne is a picture book for children aged three to six. Willy is a scrawny chimp who has no friends and he is lonely because of this. He sees all the other huge gorillas having friends and playing with each other but he is not included because they say he is no good at games. One day while in the park he and Hugh Jape, a gorilla, collide with each other as Hugh is running. Both are apologetic and Hugh helps Willy up. Buster Nose, another gorilla, then comes looking for Willy. He is a scary man and is threatening Willy. Hugh stands up for Willy and Buster goes away. Willy and Hugh then go to the zoo and library together. Hugh sees a spider and is afraid of it but Willy moves the spider away. They both helped each other out that day and share a bond. They agree to meet up again the next day and they become friends. Willy’s sadness at the beginning of the story turns to happiness as he makes a friend. Willy and Hugh are not the same looking or the same size and they don’t have the same interests at the start of the book, but by the end they realise that they do have things in common and become friends. There is a lesson to be learned from this book, which is that people might not necessarily look the same or have the same interests or hobbies, but they can still be friends and bond in other ways. Once people are nice to each other and help each other out a friendship can prosper, even though in this book Willy is not good at games and running but Hugh is. This picture book has good illustrations and lots of colour which would be useful to attract a child’s attention and keep them interested. The author uses water colours and pencils to create the images. The story is useful for children who are starting school and will be making different friends. It would show them that people can be friends even though they might not look the same or be good at the same things. People are different and may be good at different things but this doesn’t mean that they can’t be friends. The author also adds bits of humour to the story, for example when they visit the zoo there is a wide-eyed human family sitting in a cage. This lightens the story and keeps it interesting for children.

[Bailey Kapitzke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was very cute. It demonstrates that a friendship between two completely different people can end in a positive relationship. Anthony Browne also spices it up by putting some puns in by using funny names for each of the characters. It also teaches children that every beginning has the potential to have a happy ending. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a happy ending and can use a an emotional boost that reminds you that everything will work out like it is supposed to.

[Gary Vassallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this with my son at pre-school. What a wonderful book! I am going to seek out more Anthony Browne books.

[Sue Winson · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have read books such as the Zoo and Gorilla by the same author, you would probably realize that Anthony Browne is not a big fan of zoo. In fact, he has constantly reminded us that it is inhumane and almost cruel, to lock animals up in cages. He challenges us again and again to imagine us as humans, being locked up in small confinements for the entertainment of other living creatures.

While I don't disagree with the good intention of the message, I think we need to acknowledge the fact that zoo has come a long way since this book was written almost 30 years back. Not all zoos are inhumane nowadays. Zoos play an important role in conserving and protecting endangered species. The living environment is no longer locked cages and small confinements. Many zoos try to recreate humane living conditions by replicating the natural habitat. Animals have enough space to swing about, roam around, or even hide themselves away if they do not like the attention of visitors.

This book tells the story of the beautiful and unexpected friendship between a scrawny chimp Willy and a huge gorilla called Hugh. Hugh shielded Willy when other rough bullies attempted to target him, while Willy gave Hugh great companionship and fended off a spider that frightened Hugh. The story is lovely, funny, and the illustrations are the usual stunning Anthony Browne's style.

But what made me uncomfortable is the part where Hugh and Willy visited the zoo. They saw a family of humans being locked inside a cage, looking bored and terrified and lifeless. I think it was an originally good intention to bring awareness of young readers about cruelty to animals and inhumane living conditions of zoo habitants, maybe 30 years back, but I am not too sure whether such message is still relevant today.

The topic about zoo is probably still really controversial today, but I don't think it's fair to play down the role of the zoo by depicting it as a cruel and inhumane institution. I think the zoo plays an important part in caring and preserving the wildlife, and preventing extinction of certain species of animals. It's for this reason I feel uncomfortable reading this book to 2-year old little-AJ without deliberately "skipping" a page.

Blog review here: https://storypleasemummy.wordpress.co...

[Sarah Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book! There were small puns in the fact that Hugh's full name is Hugh Jape which if you say it really fast sounds like Huge Ape. Which of course Hugh is! Gorilla's are massive.

Throughout the story we see Willy's and Hugh's friendship grow while Hugh helps Willy get out of a few pickles. But the best part is when Hugh gets terrified by a small spider and Willy steps in to help. It is also extremely adorable how at the end Hugh wears Willy's famous sweater.

This story is a must read because it helps show that friends can come in all shapes and sizes as well as the fact that having friends means you do not have to go through life alone.

[Jasmine Longworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, you found yourself rooting for Willy to find someone to spend his time with. Hugh is an unlikely character that you stereotypically would not put with Willy. I think this gives off a good message to young children about who they are spending time with and not judging everyone before getting to know them. Like many Anthony Browne books, I thought this book had the signs of someone suffering from depression, loneliness and anxiety.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute, early-reader book about friendship. I haven't read other books by this author, so it didn't occur to me that Willy was a chimp in a gorilla world until I came on here to review it (though I did note that Hugh was a gorilla).

Willy reminds me a bit of Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Reindeer in that the other characters in the book don't seem to want to let him play with them. Hugh runs into Willy and an unlikely friendship develops.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about friendship. AB very good on social analysis. Friends stick together and help each other!

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esta es la historia de una amistad muy peculiar, vale la pena echarle un vistazo a lo que viven Willy y Hugo.

[Renzo Vilela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anthony Browne nos entrega otra divertida de la serie Willy, explora la soledad y como podemos encontrar buenos amigos donde menos lo esperamos. Sorprende ver guiños a otras historias del autor.

[Adriana Montelongo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corto, dibujos llamativos y me encantó el mensaje que deja después de leerlo. Entretenido para niños pequeños.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun friendship story.

[Amy Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant book and illustrations
Great for either KS1 OR KS2 as can be used to teach PSRE/Topic/SPECH with details of a good friendship and also individuality.

[Harriet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for whole class shared reading and for using book-talk. Good for EYFS.

[Jade Bollam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book about friendship, brilliant for EYFS and KS1 to talk with. Love the AB quirky illustrations too.

[Sofia Brito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations

[Luis Fe Domínguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una tierna historia de amistad fortuita.

[77aft · Rating 4 out of 5]

cycle, la différence, l'amitié (très mignon et drôle)

[Samantta S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amistad es cuidarse.:)

[Big Book Little Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen for www.bigbooklittlebook.co.uk

This is such a lovely story. Willy is a lonely chimp, picked on by others when he literally bumps into Hugh Jape (great name!) in the park one day and his whole life is changed. He has a friend.

Friendship is always a good theme for children’s books and this works on many levels. Willy is no longer lonely, and when Buster arrives on the scene Willy finds he has a friend who will stand up for him and look after him. They enjoy sharing time and experiences together and best of all Willy even gets to reciprocate and help Hugh when he finds a ‘terrifying creature’! As an adult reader you can spot a whole host of subtleties in the writing that you could talk about with your child if you so wished.

There are great touches of humour in the story and in the illustrations. The pictures are really well done, adding much to the text in the way only good illustrations can.

Verdict:This is a brilliant read and a fun book to share.

[Jorden Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Spoiler alert** Willy, is a lonely,timid and frightened boy. He doesn’t have any friends, is often bullied and constantly says sorry. He thought he’d bumped into the wrong gorilla, when walking through the street. He looked much like those, who bullied him. It wasn’t until he heard the words ‘sorry’ he realised he found a friend. Willy and Hugh are completely different, however they become extremely good friends. They begin doing things together and Hugh approaches the bullies.
I liked this book. It’s a good book to read, especially during guided reading. It allows for lots of inference and comprehension questions to be drawn. It’d be a good book to use during lower KS2 English and KS1 English. The book is illustrated well and has appropriate language. It also allows children to see, that even though we may differ, we can still all be friends and we don’t always need to be friends with people who are just like us.

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anthony Browne winner of 'the Children's Laurette 2009-2011' has protrayed a heartwarming story through both his text and illustrations. Browne presents to his readers two monkeys who appear to have little in common and shows how they end up helping each other through challenging, humours situations.

Willy is a small, lonely monkey who appears to have low confidence and social skills. He is bumped into by Hugh who is a larger, stronger more outgoing monkey. They decide to spend the day together and find how helpful and supportive they can be for one another as they spend time enjoying each others company.

This can be a wonderful book for children as it can help them identify different characteristics in others, alternative outlooks and encourage children to reach out to those who may appear intimidated or lonely as they may end up finding a really great, new friend.

[Sophie Aitken · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was simply lovely. It is about feelings, and friendship. Willy is a chimp who to begin with, feels very lonely, through the book he develops a frienship with Hugh who is of a much bigger stature than himself.

This picture book portrays differing expressions on the characters/animals faces. Such can be used to introduce emotions and possible feelings to very young children. Further it highlights that all individuals have strengths. I particularly liked the picture of the chimps visiting the zoo, with a family being depicted in a cage (the animals looking in on them). I would recommend this book for children from the ages of 2 years +

[Karly Kovac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was really cute. I remember reading this book when I was little and i used to love it. It really demonstrates that friends are not hard to make and everyone needs a friend at times. Willy and Hugh become friends and Willy is excited to finally have a friend and have someone to hangout with and talk to. I think this is a book that a lot of kids could relate to! The pictures are also colorful which is also good for kids.

[Chelsea Christophel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very entertaining! At first, I was unsure of which way the story would go but after a few pages in i loved it! I think many kids can relate to this book if they are feeling out of place or without a friend. By showing how everyone is good at their own special things, it gives hope to a child that may feel like no one understands them. I will definitely keep this book in my future classroom!