This is a cute, early-reader book about friendship. I haven't read other books by this author, so it didn't occur to me that Willy was a chimp in a gorilla world until I came on here to review it (though I did note that Hugh was a gorilla).

Willy reminds me a bit of Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Reindeer in that the other characters in the book don't seem to want to let him play with them. Hugh runs into Willy and an unlikely friendship develops. ( )

Willy didn't have friends, he was lonely. One day a guy named Hugh literally ran into Willy and so Hugh helped him to his feet and they got to talking. Then a bully showed up and Hugh, who was really big stood up and said "can I help you?" and the bully quickly left. After that they were friends they went to the zoo and the library together. When they were leaving they made plans to hangout the next day too. ( )

Aww... I wonder how I would have liked this if I weren't busy reading my way through Browne's ouevre. That is to say, I was both moved and entertained - but I can imagine others might not like the little weird touches that make this a creative take on the Unlikely Friendship, and Don't Judge by Appearances themes. ( )

Willy, que es pequeño y delgado, no tiene amigos. Hasta que un día se encuentra con Hugo, un gorila inmenso, y se hacen amigos. Desde ese momento, cada uno ayudará con sus propias fuerzas a superar las debilidades del otro.
Nuestro irresistible antihéroe por fin encuentra un amigo

Title: Willy and Hugh
Author: Anthony Browne
Illustrator: Anthony Browne
Publisher: Red Fox Books
Date of Publication: 1991
Genre: Fiction

Plot Summary:
Willy was lonely and walking in the park when he ran into Hugh. He starts talking to Hugh and becomes friends. They are nothing alike whatsoever but they become unlikely friends. Hugh protects Willy from a bully and Willy protects Hugh from a spider, which he is scared of. They are going to become great friends.
Character Analysis:
Willy-
• small monkey
• lonely, no friends
• tended to be bullied

Hugh-
• bigger monkey
• scaredy-cat
• kind, gentle

Critique:
This book is fiction, it would be classified as realistic fiction had the characters not have been personified llamas. This story is a fiction story but pertains to many kids that have issues with loneliness or bullying in a school or peer setting. It shows them that children can be nothing alike but can be the best of friends.

Personal Evaluation:
This book is great for children who feel like they don’t have any friends. It shows them that there is hope to make friends, no matter what they look like. It also teaches the readers to not judge people by their looks. By the looks, these two would never be friends but they ended up becoming great friends. ( )