Ivan the Gorilla

Katherine Applegate was inspired to write The One and Only Ivan after reading about the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, the Shopping Mall gorilla. The real Ivan lived alone in a 14' x 14' concrete cage for twenty-seven years at a shopping mall before being moved to Zoo Atlanta after a public outcry.

A photo of the real Ivan (from PAWS)

   
The School Library Journal has this to say about the book:
Applegate makes a powerful statement about the treatment of animals - especially those living in captivity - and reminds readers that all creatures deserve a safe place to call home. Castelao's delightful illustrations enhance this lovely story, and the characters will capture readers' hearts and never let go. A must-have. 
Learn more about the book and about the author at :http://theoneandonlyivan.com/

A Great Gorilla Book for Kids

A Stranger at Green Knowe was written by Lucy Boston and published fifty years ago. The main character is a young boy, Ping, a refuge who is staying at Green Knowe mansion in London. During a visit to the zoo, Ping meets a captive gorilla, Hanno,  and feels a strong connection to him. The early chapters of the book detail Hanno's life in the wild, and the trauma of his capture. The story then follows the events that happen after Hanno escapes from the zoo, and Ping discovers him living in a tangle of woods near Green Knowe.

Here's a quote from the second chapter, when Ping visits the zoo for the first time:

What had he in his innocence expected?...Certainly it had never occurred to him that an animal could be stripped of everything that went with it, of which its instincts were an inseparable part, and that you could have just its little body in a space of nothingness. as if looking at that told you anything but the nature of sorrow, which you knew anyway.

The book is a sensitive and detailed look at the life of a gorilla in the wild and in captivity.But it's also an exciting and suspenseful read, and will be enjoyed by children and adults alike, especially as a read-aloud.   A Stranger At Green Knowe was awarded the 1961 Carnegie Medal in Literature. Check out this book, and the others in the Green Knowe series, at your local libary.

A Trio of Books

Rob Laidlaw, the founder and director of Zoocheck Canada, is just about to publish his third children's book, No Shelter Here. All three of his books are geared towards children aged 9-12. His first book, Wild Animals in Captivity, was published in 2008 and was nominated for the Ontario Library Association Silver Birch award. This book reveals what life is like for wild animals living in zoos, and provides ways for young people to make a difference and help wild animals in captivity.  

His second book, On Parade: The Hidden World of Animals in Entertainment, provides a behind-the-scenes look at animals in circuses, movies, rodeos, marine parks, and more. Again, there are suggestions for helping wild animals.

The third book in this series moves away from wild animal issues to focus on dogs. Readers will discover what life is like for homeless, exploited and mistreated dogs, but also learn more about people and groups around the world who are working to help dogs.

  

 Each of these books have photos, informational sidebars, inspiring stories, and suggestions for young people interested in taking action and helping animals. All three books are great resources for kids who want to learn more about animal issues, and want to help create change for animals, both wild and domestic.

Learn more about Wild Elephants

The Elephant Scientist by  Caitlin O'Connell and Donna Jackson, photography by Caitlin O’Connell & Tim Rodwell

If you are interested in learning more about elephants in the wild, check out this new book co-authored by Caitlin O'Connell. The book is intended for readers aged 9-12, and is filled with lots of information and photos. Students won't just learn about elephants, they'll also learn what it's like to study them in the wild. It's always great to see new books about animals in their natural habitats, and to learn about the amazing things they do in the wild. Did you know elephants "listen" with their limbs?

Check out this picture, which is based on a diagram from the book. Can you figure out what it is, and why someone who studies elephants in the wild would need it?

Find the book at your public library to learn more. Happy Reading!