
In a spare, powerful text and evocative illustrations, the Newbery medalist Katherine Applegate and the artist G. Brian Karas present the extraordinary real story of a special 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.
This is his true story and includes photographs of Ivan in the back matter.
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.
This is his true story and includes photographs of Ivan in the back matter.
Publisher:
Boston :, Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,, 2014, ©2014.
ISBN:
9780544252301
Branch Call Number:
J 599. 884 APP
Characteristics:
40 unnumbered pages : illustrations (chiefly colour) ; 23 x 27 cm.
Additional Contributors:


Opinion
From the critics

Community Activity

Comment
Add a CommentI can remember seeing Ivan once when I was a young girl at the B&I Shopping Mall in Tacoma. Although it was fascinating to see a real live Silverback Gorilla, I can remember feeling sad that he was stuck in such a small space, and not in the jungle where he belonged.
This book is a great companion for those that have read The One and Only Ivan. I also think it's an important book to share with children to launch a discussion about the importance of protecting our wildlife, and keeping them in their own natural habitat. I would recommend this books for adults as well, especially those that remember Ivan.
This poignant picture book presents the true story behind Katherine Applegate's Newbery Award-winning novel The One and Only Ivan. Captured by poachers as a baby, Ivan the gorilla was caged and put on display in a shopping mall, where he lived for 27 years until he was rescued and moved to a more comfortable home at Zoo Atlanta. Although the book includes some painful moments that may be emotionally challenging for young readers, Applegate's beautifully simple writing combines with G. Brian Karas' earthy artwork to describe Ivan's life with respect and sensitivity.
Picture books newsletter October 2014.