Princess Gorilla and a New Kind of Water
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Cover Story
The illustration on our cover is taken from The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base published this month by Macmillan (0 333 51867 5, £7.95). We are grateful to Macmillan for help in using this illustration.
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Send to friendPrincess Gorilla and a New Kind of Water
Illustrated by Victoria Chess
A lively retelling of an African folktale. The structure is familiar: King seeking suitable husband for daughter devises task for would-be suitors, only here it is animals not humans who act out the drama. The Princess wants only someone who loves her but the King is determined to find the strongest, bravest son-in-law. 'Whoever can drink this barrel of a new kind of water will be allowed to marry my daughter,' he decrees (he couldn't read the word vinegar). Various animals try and fail till a tiny Talapoin monkey (plus helpers) tricks the King. He is then faced with a whole host of monkeys all demanding the Princess but the dilemma is resolved by Leopard and the Princess finally gets her chosen mate. Marvellously expressive pictures add to the fun of this story which will amuse both solo readers and listeners.
