Ivan: A Gorilla's True Story - by Katherine Applegate (Hardcover)

Dimensions (Overall): 9.7 Inches (H) x 8.3 Inch (W) x .4 Inch (D)
Weight: .7 Pounds
Number of Pages: 40
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Sub-Genre: Animals
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Clarion Books
Author: Katherine Applegate
Age Range: Baby - 3 Years
Book theme: Apes, Monkeys, etc.
Language: English

About the Book

"The true story of Ivan, known as the Shopping Mall Gorilla, who lived alone in a small cage for almost 30 years before being relocated to the gorilla habitat at Zoo Atlanta." --

Book Synopsis

The real-life inspiration for The One and Only Ivan. A gorilla captured as a baby, Ivan was brought to a Tacoma, Washington mall to attract shoppers. Gradually, public pressure built until a better way of life for Ivan was found at Zoo Atlanta. From the Congo to America, and from a local business attraction to a national symbol of animal welfare, Ivan the Shopping Mall Gorilla traveled an astonishing distance in miles and in impact. In a spare, powerful text and evocative illustrations, Newbery medalist Katherine Applegate and artist G. Brian Karas present the extraordinary real story of this special gorilla.

Review Quotes

"Gently paced, with moving but reassuring images, this is an age-appropriate introduction to the issues of captivity and animal welfare."
--Kirkus

"Using pencilline drawing and washes of pastel, Karas feelingly depicts Ivan's gentle and loving personality conveying how this gentle gorilla won the hearts of thousands of people--and readers."
--Booklist

"Karas's darkly hued, smudgy illustrations complement the tone of the narrative and convey the sense of loneliness and isolation that marked the gorilla's existence."
--School Library Journal

"The spareness of both text and pictures invites readers to find their own meaning in the moving story."
--Horn Book Magazine

"Karas's muted illustrations capably reflect the contrasts between Ivan's happy early life in Africa, his gloomy years in captivity, and his eventual transfer to a new home."
--Publishers Weekly

"Applegate's spare text gives readers just enough grounding to follow Ivan's journey, while Karas's artwork fills in Ivan's emotional life through the gorilla's engaged expressions and body language--no image more triumphant than Ivan's release into Zoo Atlanta. A heartfelt tribute to a magnificent animal."
--Shelf Awareness, starred review

"The text is streamlined but powerful, and younger kids who aren't up for the linguistic and emotional challenges of Applegate's fictional account of Ivan will find this a thoughtful and intriguing introduction; older readers who have read The One and Only Ivan may enjoy it as well."
--Bulletin

About The Author

Katherine Applegate's many children's books include the Newbery Award-winning novel The One and Only Ivan, the picture book TheBuffalo Storm, and the best-selling Animorphs series. She lives in California. www.katherineapplegate.com. G. Brian Karas is the award-winning author and illustrator of many acclaimed picture books. He lives in New York. www.gbriankaras.com