Murilla Gorilla and the Hammock Problem
Written by Jennifer Lloyd
Illustrated by Jacqui Lee
Published by Simply Read Books
Oops, we're just inundated with so many brilliant brilliant books this week that we're going to have to double up our Book of the Week nominations. First though, sliding into our Book of the Week (or should that be "Ook of the Week!") slot with ease, it's the triple for Jennifer Lloyd and Jacqui Lee's utterly sublime simian detective supreme, Murilla Gorilla.
Murilla is the number one detective on the savannah, even if it does take a little while for her to get out of bed in the morning, get organised and get on the case. We've loved her haphazard cases in "Murilla Gorilla Jungle Detective" and "Murilla Gorilla and the Lost Parasol" and we wondered if it would be possible to do a third book that was as funny as the others.
We needn't have worried. Jennifer Lloyd and Jacqui Lee's cool creation still makes us snort with laughter as this time she looks into the case of the holey hammock. Looks into, through and under as poor Okapi discovers that someone has damaged his stock.
Despite a rumbling tummy, Murilla uses all her detective skills to solve the mystery.
Some might argue that these books are pretty formulaic and a bit samey, but they always manage to provide giggles and amusement as Murilla's rather outlandish detective style always seems to bear fruit (perhaps more by accident than design) and her disguises are always a complete hoot too.
"Murilla Gorilla and the Missing Mop" is up next in 2015. We're wondering if Murilla will be stopping by our "Book of the Week" slot again soon, or whether Murilla might be too busy either solving cases, scoffing banana muffins or (more likely) snoozing under a tree.
Charlotte's best bit: Murilla's completely bonkers Fish disguise. Crazy!
Daddy's Favourite bit: I cannot get enough of the Murilla books, purely because they're so much fun to read aloud and 'act out'. Superb!
(Kindly sent to us for review by Simply Read Books)