Murilla Gorilla And The Lost Parasol: 2 - Hardcover

Murilla Gorilla joins a proud tradition of sleuths whose cases are solved as much by dumb luck as by skill. Over five chapters, Murilla tries to figure out who ate the banana muffins that Ms. Chimpanzee had been planning to sell at the Mango Market. Readers will quickly get the sense that Murilla isn't a conventional detective. In the first chapter, she goes back to sleep after getting Ms. Chimpanzee's phone call, and it takes her some time to track down her backpack and badge ("It was in the bathtub!"). Lloyd (Ella's Umbrellas) works lots of deadpan humor into her trim sentences. "Do you like bananas?" Murilla asks Ms. Chimpanzee, getting an idea. "Murilla! I am not the muffin thief!" shouts the increasingly frustrated baker. While this is a charming debut for Murilla, it's also a strong one for Lee--her sherbet palette and friendly characterizations are an ideal fit for the book's blend of mystery and comedy. When Murilla dons a banana tree costume and tries to stay awake long enough to catch the perpetrator, she's nothing short of a vision. Ages 5-8. (May) - Publisher's Weekly

Praise for Ella's Umbrellas also by Jennifer Lloyd:
Canadian Toy Testing Council Top 10 Great Books for Children 2011
Nominated for the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize, 2010!
Winner of an Alcuin Award, 2010

Colourful illustrations by Ashley Spires add considerable appeal, and the embossed raindrops on the cover (visible only when light hits them, although they can be discerned by touch) will delight observant youngsters. - Montreal Gazette

Ella's Umbrellas is an enchanting combination of Jennifer Lloyd's playful, alliterative text and Ashley Spires' quirky watercolours. Both provide knowing, gentle humour and contribute to the story's sweet conclusion. - Quill and Quire

The New York Times
"Murilla Gorilla" is, above all, a pleasure to read and look at. Like the cheeky rascal who stole the muffins, readers will be hungry for more.
Murilla Gorilla joins a proud tradition of sleuths whose cases are solved as much by dumb luck as by skill. Over five chapters, Murilla tries to figure out who ate the banana muffins that Ms. Chimpanzee had been planning to sell at the Mango Market. Readers will quickly get the sense that Murilla isn't a conventional detective. In the first chapter, she goes back to sleep after getting Ms. Chimpanzee's phone call, and it takes her some time to track down her backpack and badge ("It was in the bathtub!"). Lloyd (Ella's Umbrellas) works lots of deadpan humor into her trim sentences. "Do you like bananas?" Murilla asks Ms. Chimpanzee, getting an idea. "Murilla! I am not the muffin thief!" shouts the increasingly frustrated baker. While this is a charming debut for Murilla, it's also a strong one for Lee--her sherbet palette and friendly characterizations are an ideal fit for the book's blend of mystery and comedy. When Murilla dons a banana tree costume and tries to stay awake long enough to catch the perpetrator, she's nothing short of a vision. Ages 5-8. (May) - Publisher's Weekly
Praise for Ella's Umbrellas also by Jennifer Lloyd:
Canadian Toy Testing Council Top 10 Great Books for Children 2011
Nominated for the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize, 2010!
Winner of an Alcuin Award, 2010
Colourful illustrations by Ashley Spires add considerable appeal, and the embossed raindrops on the cover (visible only when light hits them, although they can be discerned by touch) will delight observant youngsters. - Montreal Gazette
Ella's Umbrellas is an enchanting combination of Jennifer Lloyd's playful, alliterative text and Ashley Spires' quirky watercolours. Both provide knowing, gentle humour and contribute to the story's sweet conclusion. - Quil

Murilla the gorilla employs her detecting talents to track down a missing parasol. Not surprisingly, it is raining in the African rain forest. It has rained right through Murilla's roof, so she makes her way to the market, which, despite the rain, is all sunny colors, like the inside of a cupcake shop. Before Murilla can buy a new mop, Parrot requests help in tracking down a missing parasol from his shop. (In the rain forest, parasols are a hot commodity.) Dear Murilla, who, as the forest's resident detective, has as much focusing power as Mr. Magoo, bumbles her way to the solution--elementary, but as gratifying as a ray of light breaking through the clouds, and one that allows all the citizens of the forest to remain innocent. This early reader is a pleasure but no gimme. There is plenty to challenge, starting with "parasol" but also "magnifying glass," "mandrill," "okapi," "chimpanzee" and hammocks. This on top of Lee's illustrations, which are not so much busy as full, especially with the mayhem of Murilla's life. Despite that, there is a sense of equanimity; Murilla won't, can't, is utterly clueless about being hurried, and it is easy to imagine holding her hand and sauntering along as she uncovers what happened. All the fun of a mystery carried on the rhythm of the tropics. "(Early reader. 5-8)" - Kirkus Review
The New York Times
"Murilla Gorilla" is, above all, a pleasure to read and look at. Like the cheeky rascal who stole the muffins, readers will be hungry for more.
Murilla Gorilla joins a proud tradition of sleuths whose cases are solved as much by dumb luck as by skill. Over five chapters, Murilla tries to figure out who ate the banana muffins that Ms. Chimpanzee had been planning to sell at the Mango Market. Readers will quickly get the sense that Murilla isn't a conventional detective. In the first chapter, she goes back to sleep after getting Ms. Chimpanzee's phone call, and it takes her some time to track down her backpack and bad

Praise for the Murilla Gorilla Series:
"Murilla Gorilla, Jungle Detective" is a 2013 Alcuin Society Award for Excellence in Book Design second prize winner, and was selected as a 2014 Canadian Toy Testing Council 'Recommended Read', a 2013 Ontario Library Association 'Best Bets for Children', and a 2013 Canadian Children's Book Centre "Best Books for Kids and Teens" STAR!
"Murilla Gorilla and the Lost Parasol" is a spring 2014 Canadian Children's Book Centre "Best Books for Kids and Teens" selection!
"Murilla Gorilla and the Hammock Problem" is a 2014 Alcuin Awards for Excellence in Book Design first prize winner!
Readers will be hungry for more."
"New York Times"
Will delight emerging readers.
"School Library Journal"
Charming.
"Publisher s Weekly"
"This early reader is a pleasure."
"Kirkus Reviews"
"The playful silliness of the book will appeal to emerging readers. Give this one to fans of Amelia Bedelia Murilla Gorilla has the same sort of clueless charm."
"Booklist"
"Maybe this series should be called 'My First Page Turner.'"
"Barnes & Noble Kids Blog""

A spring 2014 Best Book for Kids and Teens selection, by the Canadian Children's Book Centre!
"A rainstorm drives Murilla Gorilla out of her home and into the Mango Market, where mops and mysteries await. A yellow parasol has gone missing from Parrot s parasol stand. Murilla is organizationally challenged as usual, yet she manages to solve the case with smarts rather than her magnifying glass. Little details help to keep Murilla endearing rather than frustrating, such as the mismatched shoes by the side of her bed and her ever-present cheery pink cheeks. The playful silliness of the book will appeal to emerging readers. Give this one to fans of Amelia Bedelia Murilla Gorilla has the same sort of clueless charm."
"Booklist"
"Murilla the gorilla employs her detecting talents to track down a missing parasol. Not surprisingly, it is raining in the African rain forest. It has rained right through Murilla s roof, so she makes her way to the market, which, despite the rain, is all sunny colors, like the inside of a cupcake shop. Before Murilla can buy a new mop, Parrot requests help in tracking down a missing parasol from his shop. (In the rain forest, parasols are a hot commodity.) Dear Murilla, who, as the forest s resident detective, has as much focusing power as Mr. Magoo, bumbles her way to the solution elementary, but as gratifying as a ray of light breaking through the clouds, and one that allows all the citizens of the forest to remain innocent. This early reader is a pleasure but no gimme. There is plenty to challenge, starting with parasol but also magnifying glass, mandrill, okapi, chimpanzee and hammocks. This on top of Lee s illustrations, which are not so much busy as full, especially with the mayhem of Murilla s life. Despite that, there is a sense of equanimity; Murilla won t, can t, is utterly clueless about being hurried, and it is easy to imagine holding her hand and sauntering along as she uncovers what happened. All the fun of a mystery carried on the rhythm of the tropics."
"Kirkus Reviews"
"Murilla Gorilla is back in her follow-up to "Murilla Gorilla: Jungle Detective." Author Jennifer Lloyd and illustrator Jacqui Lee continue telling Murilla s mystery-solving stories with their charming combination of easy-to-read text and beautiful watercolour illustrations...The Lost Parasol builds on the characters and settings used in Jungle Detective, allowing readers to encounter some familiar faces and places. The story can also stand on its own for readers who are just discovering Murilla. The format of the book, with short chapters and sentences in a balanced page layout, is essentially identical to the first book of the series and once again provides emerging readers with an easy-to-read first chapter book experience.
"Murilla Gorilla and the Lost Parasol" is a fantastic follow-up to the first book in this series. Readers, as well as parents, teachers, and librarians, will surely be eagerly awaiting the next installment in Murilla s mystery solving adventures."
"CM Magazine" 4/4 STARS REVIEW!"

A spring 2014 Best Book for Kids and Teens selection, by the Canadian Children's Book Centre!

"A rainstorm drives Murilla Gorilla out of her home and into the Mango Market, where mops and mysteries await. A yellow parasol has gone missing from Parrot's parasol stand. Murilla is organizationally challenged as usual, yet she manages to solve the case with smarts rather than her magnifying glass. Little details help to keep Murilla endearing rather than frustrating, such as the mismatched shoes by the side of her bed and her ever-present cheery pink cheeks. The playful silliness of the book will appeal to emerging readers. Give this one to fans of Amelia Bedelia--Murilla Gorilla has the same sort of clueless charm."
Booklist

"Murilla the gorilla employs her detecting talents to track down a missing parasol. Not surprisingly, it is raining in the African rain forest. It has rained right through Murilla's roof, so she makes her way to the market, which, despite the rain, is all sunny colors, like the inside of a cupcake shop. Before Murilla can buy a new mop, Parrot requests help in tracking down a missing parasol from his shop. (In the rain forest, parasols are a hot commodity.) Dear Murilla, who, as the forest's resident detective, has as much focusing power as Mr. Magoo, bumbles her way to the solution--elementary, but as gratifying as a ray of light breaking through the clouds, and one that allows all the citizens of the forest to remain innocent. This early reader is a pleasure but no gimme. There is plenty to challenge, starting with parasol but also magnifying glass, mandrill, okapi, chimpanzee and hammocks. This on top of Lee's illustrations, which are not so much busy as full, especially with the mayhem of Murilla's life. Despite that, there is a sense of equanimity; Murilla won't, can't, is utterly clueless about being hurried, and it is easy to imagine holding her hand and sauntering along as she uncovers what happened. All the fun of a mystery carried on the rhythm of the tropics."
Kirkus Reviews

"Murilla Gorilla is back in her follow-up to Murilla Gorilla: Jungle Detective. Author Jennifer Lloyd and illustrator Jacqui Lee continue telling Murilla's mystery-solving stories with their charming combination of easy-to-read text and beautiful watercolour illustrations...The Lost Parasol builds on the characters and settings used in Jungle Detective, allowing readers to encounter some familiar faces and places. The story can also stand on its own for readers who are just discovering Murilla. The format of the book, with short chapters and sentences in a balanced page layout, is essentially identical to the first book of the series and once again provides emerging readers with an easy-to-read first chapter book experience.

Murilla Gorilla and the Lost Parasol is a fantastic follow-up to the first book in this series. Readers, as well as parents, teachers, and librarians, will surely be eagerly awaiting the next installment in Murilla's mystery solving adventures."
CM Magazine 4/4 STARS REVIEW!

Praise for the Murilla Gorilla Series:

Murilla Gorilla, Jungle Detective is a 2013 Alcuin Society Award for Excellence in Book Design second prize winner, and was selected as a 2014 Canadian Toy Testing Council 'Recommended Read', a 2013 Ontario Library Association 'Best Bets for Children', and a 2013 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens STAR!

Murilla Gorilla and the Lost Parasol is a spring 2014 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens selection!

Murilla Gorilla and the Hammock Problem is a 2014 Alcuin Awards for Excellence in Book Design first prize winner!

"Readers will be hungry for more."
New York Times

"Will delight emerging readers."
School Library Journal

"Charming."
Publisher's Weekly

"This early reader is a pleasure."
Kirkus Reviews

"The playful silliness of the book will appeal to emerging readers. Give this one to fans of Amelia Bedelia--Murilla Gorilla has the same sort of clueless charm."
Booklist

"Maybe this series should be called 'My First Page Turner.'"
Barnes & Noble Kids Blog

A rainstorm has passed through Mango Market. Parrot is upset by a missing parasol at his parasol stand. It is up to Murilla, the disorganized, messy and seemingly hopeless detective to solve the case. Can she do it? Of course she wants to help her friend, but first Murilla needs to find her magnifying glass.