(4) K-3 Illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung. Umande is a baby gorilla born at a Colorado zoo whose mother can't care for him. Human caregivers take over, mimicking gorilla parenting skills. Umande is eventually matched with a mother-figure gorilla with whom he bonds and thrives. Somewhat anthropomorphic illustrations showing adorable smiling gorillas make the story seem fictional, but it recounts actual--and heart-tugging--events. An author's note is appended.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo