Gorillas, oh my!

This unit was designed based on a request from my lovely friend Charity. I meant to wait longer before posting it but I got excited and couldn't wait!




This whole gorilla unit spirals from this book, which I adore. It teaches about the value of protecting other living things as well as of working together. Charity has it, I have it. My kids love it. Even Jane Goodall loves it. Have I mentioned I love this entire series?



This was the first book I thought of when I heard gorillas. It tells the story of a gorilla who was taught to sign and had a pet kitten. I have loved it since I was 5 years old and saw it on the Reading Rainbow episode Feelings, which you can buy for $1.99 on Amazon or watch free with a Prime channels subscription to PBS Kids.


This cute video from the All things animal series uses the premise of aliens visiting Earth to share lots of helpful facts about gorillas.



This video is a little shorter and more basic with easy to read text for young readers.

National Geographic Kids also has lots of great resources for online research. I love the Amazing animal: Gorilla video as well as this mountain gorilla overview which is full of great information and lots of links to dive deeper.

Also, definitely check out the Ape Cam from the San Diego zoo! I could sit and watch the apes for hours ... when I'm supposed to be cleaning my house...