Gumption! by Elise Broach

Gumption! by Elise Broach, illustrated by Richard Egielski

Rating: 5 adventurous stars!

As you know by now if you've read a handful of blog entries here, there are some books I read to Lorelei and Ben just for a certain vocabulary word.  Well, Ben still grunts his yes's and no's and everything in between, but Lorelei's speech is sweet and exciting and impressive and adorable.  I found this book while in the Boulder Book Store, and I LOVE it!  The best part is, Lorelei and Ben love it, too.  I don't even have to force one of my favorites on them. 

We are loving Elise Broach right now, though Richard Egielski is a new illustrator for us.  His work is fantastic!  He won the Caldecott for Hey, Al, a book we've not read.  Yet.  The illustrations are just amazing, and it's easy to think they are the only thing that make this book work.  They definitely bring the words to life, but that's because this book is about the pictures as much as it is the story.

I must say that this book is best read in a British accent, or at least when Uncle Nigel is talking.  My years joking around with my family and friends, leaving messages in different accents on their answering machines, really come in handy sometimes while reading to Lorelei and Ben.

Anyway, young Peter's favorite Uncle Nigel has invited him to the jungle to find the majestic and illusive "Zimbobo Mountain Gorilla."  They hunt through the jungle, crossing obstacle after obstacle.  At each obstacle, Peter says he can't do it.  Uncle Nigel replies: "Nonsense, my boy!  All you need is a bit of gumption!" and starts to go across the river or climb through the tall grass or climb up the mountainside by himself.  Then, you see in the picture, that an animal appears to help Peter across the obstacle--in a friendly way or by accident.  Peter arrives across the obstacle at the same time as Uncle Nigel, who doesn't see a single animal the whole time.  It is a gorgeous, clever book and really exciting in an old school, African safari, exploring the unknown sort of way.

This is such a neat book.  It's a great gift book, too!  (I'd get it for an adventuresome 3- or 4-year old.)  Lorelei and Ben both love it--thanks to the great story that Lorelei completely gets and the incredible pictures that captivate Ben.  Bravo again, Elise Broach!