Good night Gorilla

Invite children into a warm, humorous bedtime adventure with Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann, a mostly wordless picture book that delights young readers through expressive illustrations and gentle suspense.

The story follows a mischievous gorilla who quietly steals the zookeeper’s keys and lets all the animals out to follow him home—creating a playful, lighthearted bedtime parade.

Perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and early primary learners, this charming story supports key early learning skills:

• Visual literacy & comprehension – minimal text encourages children to “read” the pictures, strengthening observation and interpretation

• Language development – rich illustrations prompt vocabulary building, storytelling, and open-ended discussion

• Sequencing & prediction – children anticipate what the sneaky animals will do next

• Social-emotional learning – gentle humor and bedtime routines help with emotional regulation and understanding daily transitions

• Engagement through repetition – recurring scenes and subtle visual cues draw children into the story

Ideal for circle time, quiet reading moments, bedtime-themed lessons, and storytelling activities, Good Night, Gorilla is a delightful and versatile addition to any early childhood program or childcare library.