All About Animals discussion
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The One and Only Ivan
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Barbara, Founder and Moderator
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Jun 30, 2015 11:18PM
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There are two books about Ivan. I first read the younger children'' book. Here is my review: http://dogevals.blogspot.com/2015/01/...
I had to read about Ivan. I went to college in Tacoma around this time and never heard about him. But then, back then, I couldn't even stomach going to a zoo. And I was in college - no newspaper, no TV, no car - just study so my world was small.
I have just bought the e-book of "The one and only Ivan" so that I can read it and join this discussion. My favourite fiction story about a gorilla so far is the Lucy Boston Carnegie medal winning book called "A Stranger at Green KnoweSo it will be very interesting to compare the two books. Maybe we can read Stranger for a group read in the future if we haven't already read it. However it is a children's novel. Is Ivan adult fiction? I presumed it was when I bought it, not that I mind if it is or not.
I just checked and I see it is a children's book too. I'm so looking forward to reading this one!
Ivan is written in two versions. One for little kids with illustrations on every page and one for maybe junior high kids with no illustrations.
I started reading last night and am very delighted so far. The humour is a rare treat and the story is warm and insightful. Will keep reading.
Loved this story. She so nailed it with the gorilla "voice." Good ending, or as good as the poor animals could hope for in the circumstances. Any child who enjoyed this would then move on up to the greatest children's captive gorilla story of all - "Stranger at Green Knowe" (link in my post above.) Stranger has an ending which is somehow even more satisfying and inevitable and the gorilla gets a believable taste of real freedom. However Stranger is not written from the Point of View of the gorilla - but from the angle of the child who connects with him, and the child has had parallel experiences.
Ivan made the gorilla seem believable and real and very very lovable. What I loved about this story is it showed the compassion that really can exist between one animal and another - even one of a different species. If I were teaching I'd happily read this to a class of kids.
Just downloaded a copy today, will join in discussion soon! :)
