Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla [Hardcover]

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.

In this evocative, accessible picture book, illustrated by G. Brian Karas, Katherine Applegate tells the true story of the gorilla who inspired her Newbery-winning novelThe One and Only Ivan. The real Ivan, known as the Shopping Mall Gorilla, lived alone in a small cage for almost thirty years before he was finally relocated to the gorilla habitat at ZooAtlanta. Back matter includes photographs of Ivan.

"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