If I Had a Gorilla

A boy imagines what it would be like to have a gorilla, a porcupine and other animals help him solve his problems.

If you open almost any of award-winning author/illustrator Mercer Mayer’s 250+ children’s books you’ll see dragons, cuddly monsters, wonderful creatures, and endearing critters. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Mr. Mayer spent his childhood hunting lizards and snakes in the swamps by his home. During his teenage years, he lived in Hawaii where he attended the Honolulu Academy of Arts. He later received additional training at the Art Students League in New York City. Upon completion of his studies he set out with pen and ink to write and illustrate adventures he experienced as a child.

A young boy imagines a menagerie of ferocious creatures which could protect him from the wiles of no-good bullies and a curious sister. The bespectacled young narrator fantasizes, tongue-in-cheek, about the ways in which a gorilla, an alligator, a lion, a snake, and a porcupine might come to his aid. Full color.

Mercer Mayer – writer and illustrator for Little Critter First Readers, as well as Little Critter Spectrum began writing and illustrating children’s books in 1966 and since that time, he has published over 300 titles. Open almost any of the award-winning author/illustrator’s books, and out may pop dragons, cuddly monsters, wonderful creatures, and endearing critters.

“Most of my books are about things that happened to me when I was a little kid,” says Mercer. “Now that I’m a big kid, I write about things that happen now, especially with my own children. They always help remind me of what it was like.”

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Mercer Mayer spent his childhood hunting lizards and snakes in the swamps near his home. During his teenage years, he attended the Honolulu Academy of Arts. He later received additional training at the Art Students League in New York City. Upon completion of his studies, he set out with pen and ink to write and illustrate a collection of children’s book, reflecting many of the adventures he experienced as a child.