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misspippireads's review
3.0
Applegate and Karas created a non-fiction picture book to share the story of Ivan the Shopping Mall Gorilla. This quick read would be a great piece to introduce reading The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate illustrated by Patricia Castelao. An afteward shares more details about Ivan. A zookeeper also shares her memories of Ivan at the end of the book.
Reviewed from a library copy.
Reviewed from a library copy.
pacifickle's review
5.0
I was worried the beautifully poetic chapter book by Applegate was too good to be transformed into a picture book, but I was wrong. This book is beautifully sad, most because it's nonfiction. Great photos of the real Ivan in the back. Love this book!
kelleemoye's review
5.0
Read to Trent 12-4-14
Full review: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=4702
Anyone who knows me knows that I adore apes (see my Nerdy Book Club Top Ten Ape books and my Hurt Go Happy interview with Ginny Rorby as well as my Hurt Go Happy, Primates, and Endangered reviews). They are such fascinating creatures. I enjoy reading about them and am a true advocate for their care here on Earth. This book is just another supporting document in the beauty, intelligence, and awesomeness of these creatures. Katherine Applegate has written a perfect companion to her Newbery winning One and Only Ivan which takes the reader into Ivan’s life and once again makes our heart break for him. It is written in verse with words that transport you into Ivan’s life. This book made me cry because of the power of the words, but more importantly, the power of Ivan’s story. Please read this. You will thank me (and curse Katherine Applegate for the tears).
Full review: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=4702
Anyone who knows me knows that I adore apes (see my Nerdy Book Club Top Ten Ape books and my Hurt Go Happy interview with Ginny Rorby as well as my Hurt Go Happy, Primates, and Endangered reviews). They are such fascinating creatures. I enjoy reading about them and am a true advocate for their care here on Earth. This book is just another supporting document in the beauty, intelligence, and awesomeness of these creatures. Katherine Applegate has written a perfect companion to her Newbery winning One and Only Ivan which takes the reader into Ivan’s life and once again makes our heart break for him. It is written in verse with words that transport you into Ivan’s life. This book made me cry because of the power of the words, but more importantly, the power of Ivan’s story. Please read this. You will thank me (and curse Katherine Applegate for the tears).
beths0103's review
5.0
Thank you Katherine Applegate for giving readers not just The One and Only Ivan, but this beautiful nonfiction account of the real Ivan's life. A must-read for any classroom using The One and Only Ivan as a read aloud.
jcpdiesel21's review
3.0
While Ivan's story is incredible, this picture book based on his life is merely okay. Applegate includes all of the necessary events that helped shape Ivan's early life, yet skims over the bad stuff to make the story more accessible and pleasant for younger readers, giving it a choppy feel and not truly conveying Ivan's plight. I also didn't care for the way that the ending painted Ivan's introduction to a zoo as so rosy; I don't have anything against zoos and think that they serve a fine educational purpose, but I doubt that it was smooth sailing from that point on.
heetlibrarian's review
5.0
If you have read the book, The One and Only Ivan, then you need to read this book as well! This tells the true story behind the famous book about Ivan. Written by the same author, it gives a little more insight to what went on.
crystal_reading's review
5.0
There are some extremely sad moments in this book, but also some happy ones. I am glad to have a picture book so even young students may meet Ivan.
kandicez's review
2.0
I read this while standing in Barnes & Noble the other day. I actually grew up watching Ivan at the B&I in Tacoma, and have loved him my entire life. While I agree that much of his life must have been less fulfilling than it could have been, It irritated me that this little book paints the picture that as soon as Ivan is moved to Atlanta, Georgia his life is rosy. It was not. He had not spent any time with gorillas since his "sister" died and he didn't adapt well to the other gorillas there. They didn't like him and he was afraid of them.
Ivan's real story had no fairy tale ending. In real life, sadly, this is often the case.
Ivan's real story had no fairy tale ending. In real life, sadly, this is often the case.