Eliot Schrefer and illustrator A.G. Ford created Lulu and the Others: A True Story. Now, I am not completely sure that is funny, sweet and would make a fun read aloud, is really really true, but I am sure it was at least inspired by real events. You see, I have a hard time believing that any animal would have a banana shaped cup! How pedestrian…
All jokes aside, Lulu was a bonobo and lived with her human family Mother, Father and Sister. They were a happy little family. But one day the humans decided Lulu needed to have connections with others like her. They bring her to a sanctuary, things happen, and then a new bonobo (with an apple cup) comes along and Lulu takes over helping him. It is a simple story on the surface so that allows the younger reader or listener to get into a humorous story, but there is more and you can talk to your child about wild animals, the idea of what is a good pet, and the animal mentioned which is not one that your child most likely will mention when naming their favorite animal.
Things are funny all around, but do keep a note of seriousness as well. This is mostly true with the illustrations which are off beat and a bit kooky. But, when the second bonobo comes to the sanctuary, his reaching out towards his human family as they leave is terribly serious and sad. But of course, you know that things will work out in the end. But with that exception, we see animals in clothing holding their fruit shaped cups, goofy looks on faces, silly longer than probably true to life proportions and colors both with pop but not too harsh.
