Monkey Colors by Darrin Lunde illustrated by Patricia J. Wayne*

Focusing on various monkeys around the world, the simple text exposes the reader to the unusual colors found on the monkeys.
I love how this book is simple enough to read aloud to a toddler but has additional information in the back that it will appeal to older children (multi-age book).
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.
Text features: labels, picture captions, bold font, map
I will definitely be using this book for color themed story times!

Look! by Jeff Mack*

Although this book has just two words, my eight year old and five year old both reread this book on separate occasions.
A boy is enthralled with watching television.  A gorilla throughout the story tries to engage the boy in reading books by saying "Look!" in which the boy replies often "out!".
It amazed how many different ways the words "look" and "out" can be used to create a solid story!  The book's message is one, unfortunately, many children need to hear in this screen addicted world.
I would utilize this book when teaching how to read for expression and how one must THINK about the story and its events to read it properly.
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: reading for expression/fluency, author's message, main idea

Betty Goes Bananas by Steve Antony

Betty, the gorilla, wants to eat a simple banana but encounters many issues before she can eat it (peeling it, the banana snapping in half etc).  Each time she throws temper tantrum.  A patient toucan calms her down in each circumstance.
Subtle humor.
Warnings/points to discuss: temper tantrums, "spoiled behavior"

Ivan The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate illustrated by G. Brian Karas*

Pair this book with Ms. Applegate's chapter book-The One and Only Ivan.
Real photographs of Ivan are in the back along with more factual information about his life.  A copy of one his paintings is included!!
*Highly recommend.

Ding Dong Gorilla! by Michelle Robinson illustrated by Leonie Lord

While his mom dresses for dinner, a boy waits for the pizza boy to deliver the much anticipated pizza.  But what is standing at the door?  A gorilla!  The boy relates the crazy evening to his  mom.  The repeated refrain is "but  that's not the bad news. . .".
Strategy: cause/effect

Monkey and Robot by Peter Catalanotto

A space monkey and robot meet at work and become best buddies.  Four short chapters share their good times together.
Perfect for the beginning reader who is trying to build stamina.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate*

John Newbery Medal
Ivan, the gorilla, is confined to glass cage inside a mall.  His friends are Stella, an elephant, and Bob, a stray dog.  Business at the mall is not going well so Mack, the human who operates the mall, brings in Ruby, an adorable baby elephant to bring in much needed revenue.  When a tragedy occurs, Ivan begins to think about the doomed life he and the others are leading and decides to be the protector and leader he is meant to be.
Wonderful word choice!  Told from Ivan's point of view so plenty of opportunities to infer.
I did not like how animals were considered equal to humans ("Elephants are people too.").
Animal lovers will enjoy this book!
*Highly recommend.
Strategies/skills: inferring; synthesizing; cause/effect (skill); determining importance-main idea

One Gorilla A Counting Book by Anthony Browne

The book is over sized and the illustrations are incredible.  Perfect for sharing at story time.
Counts up to 10.
Point to discuss:  He includes humans in the family of primates . . ."all one family . . . all my family and yours"