Part of The Horn Book magazine's "Summer Reading List" 2015!

The Horn Book:

The titular primate in Jennifer Lloyd’s Murilla Gorilla and the Hammock Problem lives in the rainforest of an unnamed African country. Okapi (an indigenous central African mammal) hires Murilla to figure out who put a hole in the hammock she’s selling. This accessible book is easy to read without looking babyish, and the mystery is easy to solve without being too obvious. Jacqui Lee draws with muted tones, highlighting Murilla’s pink cheeks and prehensile feet and Okapi’s gray-striped legs and arms. (Simply Read, 6–8 years)

School Library Journal:

PreS-Gr 3–Jungle detective Murilla Gorilla is back in this charming new story. When she heads to the Mango Market to fill her empty fridge, Murilla is immediately sent to Okapi’s hammock stall to investigate a mysterious hole in one of his hammocks. Using items from her detective backpack (a notebook, magnifying glass, and fish disguise), Murilla discovers the culprit (no spoilers here). She is so tired from the work that she nearly goes home without any groceries, but her grumbling tummy reminds her of her original task. This story has short chapters with appropriate vocabulary and plenty of low-key humor. Lee’s illustrations weave in and out of the text but also take up entire pages. As in the other books in this series, the images continue to be the perfect accompaniment to the text, with their soft colors, easily readable expressions, and humorous touches. This lively easy mystery will engage independent readers and those being read to.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

CM Magazine:

Murilla Gorilla and the Hammock Problem is the third book in the "Murilla Gorilla" series, with the first two books being Murilla Gorilla: Jungle Detective and Murilla Gorilla and the Lost Parasol.

Murilla has a knack for solving mysteries. Murilla is very hungry, and, because there is nothing in her fridge, she scoots off to the market. While at the market, she is 'hired' by Okapi to find the culprit who chewed a huge hole in the middle of Okapi's hammock. This mystery is solved by Murilla after some crafty planning, some note-taking, and a slow pursuit. All ends well when the hammock is repaired and purchased. Murilla solves the mystery and then shops for some food to fill the fridge and her tummy!

Not having read the two other Murilla Gorilla books to compare to, I was quite impressed with the levity of this one. It was very cute and had a few chuckles throughout. The simple delivery of the plot is quite fitting for the target audience of this book. The silly disguises that Murilla chooses will keep the laughs coming. I also liked how the plot was tied up nicely to end the book (the crocs repair their damage and buy the hammock).

Jacqui Lee illustrates this story very well. The illustrations complement the plot nicely. From the initial discovery of a 'shoe' in the fridge to the last illustration of Murilla filling her fridge with eight bags of groceries gives the reader plenty to discover and analyze.

This story is surely worth a close look for a home and school library for the target grade/age group.

PRAISE FOR THE MURILLA GORILLA SERIES:

Murilla Gorilla, Jungle Detective is a 2013 Alcuin Society Award for Excellence in Book Design second prize winner, and was selected as a 2014 Canadian Toy Testing Council 'Recommended Read', a 2013 Ontario Library Association 'Best Bets for Children', and a 2013 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens STAR!

Murilla Gorilla and the Lost Parasol is a spring 2014 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens selection!

“Readers will be hungry for more."

~ New York Times

“Will delight emerging readers.”

~ School Library Journal

“Charming.”

~ Publisher’s Weekly

"This early reader is a pleasure."

~ Kirkus Reviews

"The playful silliness of the book will appeal to emerging readers. Give this one to fans of Amelia Bedelia—Murilla Gorilla has the same sort of clueless charm."

~ Booklist

"Maybe this series should be called 'My First Page Turner.'"

~ Barnes & Noble Kids Blog