Characters
This silverback gorilla is the main character and narrator of the story.
Who is Ivan?
Ivan creates pictures using these objects given to him by Julia.
What are crayons or finger paints?
This is the type of attraction the mall has that features Ivan and other animals.
What is a circus or animal show?
One major theme of the book is the importance of this—between animals and humans alike.
What is friendship?
By the end of the story, Ivan and Ruby are moved to this new kind of place.
What is a zoo?
She is the wise old elephant who teaches Ivan about freedom.
Who is Stella?
Ivan’s artwork is sold to visitors in this kind of place.
What is the mall or gift shop?
Ivan’s “domain” refers to this small place where he lives.
What is his cage?
Ivan learns that being a “silverback” means not just strength, but this.
What is protection or leadership?
At the zoo, Ivan finally gets to see these for the first time in years.
What are other gorillas?
This baby elephant becomes Ivan’s close friend after arriving at the mall.
Who is Ruby?
This is the message Ivan paints on the wall to help Ruby.
What is “HOME”?
The mall’s slogan claims it has “the world’s most talented” version of this animal.
What is a gorilla?
The story teaches readers that animals deserve this instead of being caged.
What is freedom?
Bob’s fate at the end changes when he finds this.
What is a new home or family?
He is the mall’s owner and caretaker of the animals.
Who is Mack?
Ivan uses his art as a way to express his feelings because he can’t do this like humans can.
What is speak or talk?
This event causes Ruby to get hurt during one of the performances.
What is when she refuses to perform / gets hit with a stick by Mack?
Stella’s words inspire Ivan to promise this for Ruby.
What is to get her a better life or freedom?
The zoo represents this larger idea compared to the mall.
What is freedom or a better life?
This stray dog is Ivan’s loyal friend and often sleeps on his stomach.
Who is Bob?
Ivan’s drawings ultimately inspire humans to take this important action for the animals.
What is protest/ get them taken to the zoo?
The Big Top Mall loses visitors and becomes run-down because people begin to prefer going to this type of place instead.
What is a real zoo or a bigger shopping mall?
The book encourages empathy by showing that even animals can have these human-like traits.
What are feelings or emotions?
The final scene shows Ivan feeling at peace because he knows this about Ruby.
What is that she is safe and happy?