Richard Fairgray

"You should always carry a banana with you," the narrator of this humorous picture-book informs us, maintaining that "you never know when there might be a gorilla around." Masters of disguise, gorillas are apparently everywhere, often wearing masks - as surgeons, astronauts, ninjas - and hiding in plain sight. In the end, that banana might come in very handy... especially if you yourself are a gorilla in disguise.

An entertaining tale from start to finish, with a satirical sense of humor that show more is immediately apparent - the title itself called to mind primatologist Dian Fossey's famous work, Gorillas In the Mist - this is the second picture-book from New Zealand author/artists Richard Fairgray and Terry Jones that I have read, following upon their That's Not the Monster We Ordered. I enjoyed the text (it's less of a story than a meditation on the gorillas potentially around us), and found the artwork appealing. The ending, in which the narrator himself is revealed as a gorilla, finished the book off nicely. Recommended to young gorilla lovers, as well as to anyone looking for children's stories with a somewhat offbeat sens of humor. show less

When another family on their block are the first to get a monster, showing him off to neighbors and schoolfellows, the children in this amusing picture-book creation from New Zealand author/artists Richard Fairgray, Tara Black and Terry Jones demand one of their own. Overcoming their parents' objections, the children succeed in getting their monster, only to discover that he isn't quite what they ordered. With such an unimpressive pet, especially compared to the Turners' wonder-monster, what show more will the children and their parents do...?

An entertaining look at the issue of pet ownership, and the sometimes competitive ways in which people compare their companions to those belonging to others, That's Not the Monster We Ordered pairs a humorous text with appealing cartoon-like illustrations. I liked that the family being depicted in the artwork were brown, but that this was in no way the focus of the story, or even commented upon in the text, as this reinforces the idea that wacky and extraordinary things (like having a monster as a pet) happen to all kinds of people. I also liked the heartwarming ending, which emphasizes that our the most important thing that a monster (or pet) can bring to us is not impressive tricks, but love. Recommended to anyone looking for fun new children's stories about having pets, of whatever kind... show less

It’s dynamic, thoughtful, and sweet, a window into growing up gay and an homage to comics; its only flaw is that it isn’t longer.

A bit unsettling, but intriguing all the same. I really don’t want this series to stop. There’s excellent creepiness and lore building up. I also liked the backstory with Sharon, the stepmom.