A Mom for Umande

by Maria Faulconer and Susan Kathleen Hartung

In 2006, a baby gorilla was born at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs... read more

In 2006, a baby gorilla was born at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs and given the name Umande. Umande’s mother didn’t know how to care for him, so for eight months he was hand-raised by zookeepers, who even crawled on all fours while carrying him around. But the keepers knew that what Umande really needed was another gorilla to nurture him. At eight months, he was taken to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, where he and an adult gorilla named Lulu were immediately drawn to each other. Lulu eagerly became his surrogate mother. During the day she would carry him, play with him, even show him off to the keepers. And at night, she would cuddle with him before they fell asleep. Together. An author’s note gives additional information about the two gorillas featured in this warm, engaging, pleasingly illustrated story. (Ages 4–8)

© Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2015

show less

5 Total Resources 1 Awards View Text Complexity Discover Like Books