Descriptions, Reviews, etc.
Description:
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.
Brief description:
Katherine Applegate's many children's books include the Newbery Award-winning novel The One and Only Ivan, the bestselling novels Wishtree and Crenshaw, the bestselling Animorphs series, and the picture books Ivan and The Buffalo Storm. She lives in California. Visit her online at katherineapplegate.com and on Twitter at @kaauthor.
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
