"Love reading?"
"I HATE reading!"

"Why do I have to read books for babies?"

"Thanks for looking out for me . . . but maybe we don't need to be afraid all the time."

Nikki is in third grade, and she can't read.
Sounds don't make words.
Words don't make stories.
And the shame she feels is crushing her.

Gorilla is just doing her job, warning and protecting Nikki whenever she might get hurt.

Nikki's Gorilla is a high-quality graphic novel, made like the books other kids read but written for the Nikkis of the world. It is a high/low book about resilience in the face of shame.

Based on a real-life story, Nikki's Gorilla demonstrates a growth mindset, whereby Nikki discovers for herself how personal success builds inner strength. Nikki's conversations with Gorilla open the door to parents, teachers, and other adults having their own conversations with a struggling child.

Laura Barry Hamilton wrote this book. It wasn't easy. But she got lots of help!

Laura hated reading for a long, long time. It was too hard. She likes to read now.