I would like to share a new children’s book with you called Chilla Gorilla & Lanky Lemur: Journey to the Heart (4U2B Books & Media, May 28, 2024) by New York Times bestselling Authors Kimberly Snyder (Author), Jon Bier (Author). I received a copy of this book in exchange for this review. Inside this post are my affiliate links if you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage from the items you purchase.
My favorite children’s books are ones that teach a positive message and help young children deal with problems they may face. Which is why I was excited to read Chilla Gorilla & Lanky Lemur: Journey to the Heart. Charlie wanted to read the book because the book is about a Gorilla and a Lemur which we will be studying in our Homeschool Classes this year.
David wanted me to let you know the cover of the book is why he wanted to read the story and he also like the Hawaiin short Chilla is wearing. Then David and Charlie said they liked the way the animals are looking at each other because it shows they care for each other and that they are friends. Which I believe is true.
We first see Chilla Gorilla laying in a hammock relaxing when Lanky Lemur shows up. Lanky let us know he can’t relax. Chilla Gorilla tells Lanky he can teach him a secret about feelings which works with our thoughts and when we have two many thoughts we start to feel shaky and nervous. Chilla Gorilla place his hand on his heart reminding Lanky feelings can come and go but there is a calm place where peace and love can grow.
lanky tells Chilla Gorilla after putting his hands half-way to his heart that he still wants too jump, and play and scream and shout. LORD help me this sounds a lot like Charlie when he was younger David said. Chilla Gorilla tells Lanky they should have an adventure and soon he will feel better. They end up at a small Waterfall slide. I wish I could visit. the waterfall slide. Don’t you?
They slide down together and play in the poll which looked like a lot of fun. before they could go down a Spider Monkey cut in front of them. That wasn’t nice. Lanky yelled not fair. Chilla Gorilla tells Lanky it wasn’t nice but it was okay to feel angry. Chill a Gorilla reminded Lanky to put his hand on his heart and to say the saying from earlier and Lanky felt better.
After having fun in the waterfall Lanky felt a rumble in his tummy. Sounds like he is hungry doesn’t it? Lanky spies a Mango in a Tree and climbs onto Chilla Gorilla back to get it. Lanky couldn’t reach it and Chilla Gorilla reminds Lanky he is feeling frustrated. Chilla Gorilla reminds Lanky there is always a way to solve a challenge.
Lanky finds a stick and climbs upon Chilla Gorilla’s back and is able to get the Mango. Lanky and Chilla Gorilla eat the Mango together. Chilla Gorilla tells Lanky he is feeling gratitude and that is great. Then they head home. Ahh on Lanky lost site of Chilla Gorilla. Chilla Gorilla had been there the whole time but Lanky couldn’t see him because it was dark.
Chilla Gorilla tells lanky it was okay to be scared. Just call out for someone you know when this happens and ask them for a hug. They got home and Chilla Gorilla tucks Lanky into bed. Chilla Gorilla reminds Lanky to say kind things as he begins to fall asleep. I love how the story reenforces positive feelings even though some negative things happened.
The illustartions was a lot of fun to look at and drew me into the story. This is the perfect children’s book for small children all the way to adults. Through the story we learn the meditation they are doing is a variation of the technique called HeartAlign Meditation used to manage our thoughts and emotions.
There is a QR code in the back of the book which allows us to access audio tracks of this meditation which I enjoyed checking out with David and Charlie. Alson in the end of the book is steps to take including shake and relax getting us all up and moving. Charlie and I could use this information in our Homeschool PE Class. Charlie liked learning the book was created with love from the Authors family to our and was inspired by there Papa. I hope you take the time to check out this book as soon as possible because its a amazing story and chocked full of love.
About the book:
Chilla Gorilla & Lanky Lemur is a fun adventure story that also teaches kids a simple way to navigate big feelings. In the story, old Chilla Gorilla teaches his young, active friend Lanky Lemur how to use his heart’s wisdom to transcend intense emotions, like frustration, anger, and fear, in order to experience peace. The meditation practiced by Chilla Gorilla and Lanky Lemur is a kid–friendly version of the HeartAligned Meditation™, which is an evidence-based tool to manage thoughts and emotions, maintain calmness, focus, and positive energy.
Meet the authors: Kimberly Snyder
Kimberly Snyder is a multiple-time New York Times bestselling author, spiritual and meditation teacher, international speaker, nutritionist, and holistic wellness expert. She has authored six books, which have been translated into several dozen languages, including Radical Beauty, which she co-authored with Deepak Chopra, and You Are More Than You Think You Are: Practical Enlightenment for Everyday Life (Jan 2023).
She is also the founder of Solluna®, a holistic lifestyle brand that offers supplements, wellness products, the HeartAlign System™ meditations and tools, and courses. She hosts the top-rated Feel Good Podcast with Kimberly Snyder on the Podcast One Network (with over 24 million total downloads). Her social stats include Instagram 356K and Facebook 410K.
She has worked with dozens of top celebrities to feel their best, including Drew Barrymore, Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, and Channing Tatum, and is regularly featured by numerous national media outlets, including Good Morning America, The Today Show, The New York Times, Ellen, Vogue and The Wall Street Journal. Kimberly is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Georgetown University. Kimberly resides in Los Angeles and Hawaii with her husband and children.
You can find her on the following sites mysolluna.com and on Instagram and Facebook.
Jon Bier is a serial entrepreneur, strategist, angel investor, and Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Jack Taylor, a full-service public relations and communications agency. More at jacktaylorpr.com and on Instagram.
Jon and Kimberly are married with two sons, and split their time between Hawaii and California.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
