Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla - by Katherine Applegate Hardcover

About the Book

In this evocative picture book, illustrated by award-winning artist Karas, Applegate tells the true story of the gorilla who inspired her Newbery Medal-winning novel "The One and Only Ivan." Includes photos and back matter. Full color.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"Gently paced, with moving but reassuring images, this is an age-appropriate introduction to the issues of captivity and animal welfare." - Kirkus Reviews
"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 of the Center for Children's Books

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