Willy and Hugh

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Willy the chimp is lonely, but then he bumps into the gorilla Hugh Jape, and though the two of them are different, a touching friendship grows between them. Hugh protects little Willy from the attentions of Buster Nose, and Willy can read to Hugh and save the day when a hairy spider comes along!

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

The well-intentioned ape from Willy the Wimp is back; "Browne deftly adds a subtle sophistication to this affable tale of a friendship between two dissimilar individuals," said PW. Ages 5-9. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

School Library Journal Review

K-Gr 3-- In his third book featuring Willy the chimp, Browne presents an ``odd couple'' friendship. As the book opens, Willy is lonely and friendless. His friend Millie, from Willy the Wimp (1985) and Willy the Champ (1986, both Knopf) is inexplicably missing. At the park, Willy literally runs into a massive primate named Hugh Jape, and the two immediately become friends. Hugh easily scares off Willy's nemesis, Buster Nose, who comes around looking for trouble; Willy returns the favor when Hugh is spooked by a spider. There are some nice touches of humor, including a scene at the zoo, where a wide-eyed human family sits in a cage. Browne uses a variety of media--watercolor, colored pencil, ink--to produce lively illustrations. His wash backgrounds provide a perfect home for his intricately drawn, expressive characters; the pictures not only illustrate the text, but also enhance it. Kids will relish the agony on the faces of muscular apes jogging in the park. This touching story of friendship will delight readers. --George Delalis, Oakland Public Library, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

Ages 3-5. Willy the chimp is lonely until he bumps into Hugh the gorilla, whose name might as easily be HUGE. When Willy's nemesis, Buster Nose, the motorcycling ape, shows up, he disappears when Hugh confronts him. Willy is able to return the favor when Hugh is frightened by a spider. The attraction here is not the slight story, but Browne's wonderful art, marked by strong drawing and whimsical touches. (Willy is quite the proper little chimp in his corduroy pants, fair isle vest, and tie.) Those who have enjoyed the previous Willy books, Willy the Wimp and Willy the Champ , should like this one, too. (Reviewed Oct. 15, 1991)0679814469Ilene Cooper

Horn Book Review

In this further adventure of the wimp/champ, Willy finds a friend. While fans will be pleased for their favorite chimp, this title does not compare with the two previous exploits. The story lacks continuity and consists of little more than captioned pictures. From HORN BOOK 1991, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Book Review

The appealing Willy the Wimp (1984) is back, still a left- out little chimp in a world of sturdy gorillas--at least until he literally runs into huge Hugh. Both apologize politely, and soon become fast friends. Hugh faces down the bullies who like to torment Willy; Willy saves Hugh from a spider. The outline is familiar, but Browne's deftly limned art caricaturing people as apes speaks volumes; the friends gazing anxiously through the bars at humans on view at the zoo, and a scene at the library-- where Willy reads to Hugh while elderly patrons glare--are priceless. A treat. (Picture book. 4-8)