LittleGorilla

About the book

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Dear Parents, 

Sometimes our child wonders: Will my family still love me when I grow up? 

Everyone in the forest loves Little Gorilla, plays with him, and accepts his mischief with affection. As Little Gorilla begins to grow, the forest dwellers—and Little Gorilla himself—notice the changes in his body. But soon, everyone comes together to celebrate his birthday and express their love for him, no matter how big he gets. 

In the early years, our child grows rapidly, gains new skills, and learns to rely more on themselves in daily life. The child is happy about their growth and progress, but they may sometimes wonder: Will I still be loved and cherished when I grow up? This is where we come in—to reinforce our child’s sense of safety and love by celebrating their growth and expressing our love in different ways. 

Explore the illustrations: Where is Little Gorilla hiding?

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Browse Together 

Read the book with your child and explore the illustrations: Where is Little Gorilla hiding? What do you think his fur feels like—soft or rough? How does he eat? How big is he? Does he look cute? 

We can talk...

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Express Love 

Talk with your child about how Little Gorilla’s family showed their love. Then, express your own love: hug, kiss, tickle, help… and ask your child: How do you like us to show our love for you? 

Hug your child and reread the story together.

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Connect 

Hug your child and reread the story together. This time, replace “Little Gorilla” with your child’s name, and replace the names of the animals with relatives and friends—focusing on their titles. For example: “Everyone loved little Zayd. His aunt Nahla loved him, and his uncle Saeed loved him…” 

Create a “growth ladder” corner at home

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Explore Growth 

Create a “growth ladder” corner at home for your child. Measure their height regularly and mark their progress. Add photos from different stages of their life, and encourage them to express their little achievements like: “I can eat on my own!” or “I can jump!” This builds their confidence and sense of capability. 

Play is one of the best ways to strengthen bonds and communication.

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Play Together 

Play is one of the best ways to strengthen bonds and communication. Children play in different ways with family and friends. Encourage your child to remember games they used to play with you or relatives, and play them again together. 

Your child’s birthday is a joyful occasion for them and for you.

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Imagine and Plan 

Your child’s birthday is a joyful occasion for them and for you. Plan the next party together: Who would you like to invite? What would you like us to do together? And how many candles will you blow out this year?