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My Dear Old Friend, Ivan

*author’s note – this originally appeared on Books Ink in 2015 and “My New Friend, Ivan”. While I have reread this book many times, I wanted to revisit this review because you can’t reread a favorite for the first time again but I can remember how incredible that first read was reading this.

Every once in a while, a book comes along that changes you. It changes how you see the world; it touches your heart and opens your eyes. It makes you question things; it makes you think.  This week, I met Ivan, Stella, Ruby, Julia and George. Within moments of opening this book and diving in, I knew these characters would stay with me long after I finished this book. When I sat down to write this, I asked myself how many times I could use the words “brilliant,” “profound,” and “amazing” without them losing their power because this book really is that special.

“The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate is the story of a gorilla, named Ivan, and two elephants, Stella and Ruby, who live in cages in a shopping mall. Ivan was captured as a baby and was raised by the owner of the mall. Once he grew too large to live in the owner’s home, he was moved to a cage in the mall where he lived for twenty-seven years. Stella is an elephant who was bought from a circus. She too, is kept in a cage in the mall. Ivan is an artist who draws and later paints pictures that are sold in the mall. Stella is forced to put on a show performing tricks for the crowds every single day. Stella falls ill and the owners buy a young elephant to replace her. As Stella gets sicker, she asks Ivan, her dear friend to promise her that Ruby, the young elephant, will not spend her whole life in a cage. Ivan promises and although it seems impossible, he is determined to find a way to save Ruby.

Applegate introduces us to George and his daughter, Julia. George works cleaning the mall. Julia seems to understand Ivan in a way other humans don’t and Ivan finds a way to ask Julia for help. Despite the fear of losing his job, George helps Julia try to save Ivan and Ruby.

While I felt angry that humans could be so uncaring and hold an animal in a cage for 27 years in a mall, Applegate managed to restore my faith in the kindness of humans through George and Julia. While this book is written for children, it is one of the most brilliant books I have read. While Ivan’s words might seem simple, their meaning is so deep and powerful.

“I’ve learned to understand human words over the years, but understanding human speech is not the same as understanding humans.” – Ivan

Ivan reminds me of my other favorite talking animal in children’s literature…a wise spider named Charlotte. Like Charlotte, Ivan shows the reader what a true friend is.

Ivan was a real gorilla who lived in a cage in a shopping mall for 27 years. In that time, he never saw another gorilla. Thankfully, the real Ivan finally got moved to a zoo, and spent his final years with other gorillas. Although this book is fiction, it is inspired by the real Ivan.

This book will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It will make you angry. It will make you sad. It will make you smile. It will make you believe in friendship. It will make you believe in promises. It will make you think. While many adults may miss this profound book because it is on the children’s shelf, I wish copies would be kept in the adult section of every library as well, as I believe every adult should read it. While adults may get caught up in the fact that it is told in “first person Gorilla,” one needs to move beyond that and realize how powerful this book really is. The moment I finished reading my library copy of the book, I immediately went on amazon and ordered my own copy. This is a book I will reread many times over. It will join “Charlotte’s Web” on that shelf of really special, life changing books. I am so grateful my daughter recommended it to me to read, and I hope those of you reading this article pick up a copy and meet my favorite Gorilla, Ivan.

Thunder Dog

We all remember the September 11th that we experienced. We remember where we were when the planes hit. We remember who told us. We remember that feeling, like being punched in the stomach and you can’t breathe. Some remember trying to get out of New York City. Some remember clutching their phones waiting for text messages from friends and family. We remember the feelings of gratitude for those who were safe, the feelings of despair for those who weren’t. We will never forget that day. To those of you reading this who lost someone that day, my thoughts are with you. To those of you reading this who are or have family or friends who are firefighters and police officers, thank you for running in to help no matter how scary the situation is. 

I remember the September 11th that I experienced. I didn’t want to read any books about that day. I wasn’t sure I could handle reading the story of someone who was far closer to it than I was, until I stumbled upon one book. It’s remains the only book I read about that day.

Michael Hingson’s book “Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust” takes the reader into the World Trade Center on September 11th. Hingson and his guide dog were on the 78th floor at a meeting on teh morning of September 11th. When the planes hit his guide dog, Roselle, did exactly what she was trained to do….she lead Hingson to safety….down 78 flights of stairs.

This first person narrative takes the reader through the trip down all those stairs and out to safety. The story includes flashbacks of Hingson’s life and shares with the reader his experience growing up blind and his bond with his guide dog.

You will cry reading this book (I have to be honest with you and I would only recommend this book for teen readers and older). Hingson talks about the firefighters who were going up the stairs while he and Roselle were making their way down. Several firefighters asked Hingson if he needed a guide down the stairs. He was fine, he had his dog. While he was scared, Hingson put his trust in his guide dog. Roselle knew she had to try to get Hingson to safety and she did. 

This book reminds the reader that heroes come in all different forms. The obvious heroes are of course, the firefighters who were running in as everyone else ran out to safety. They are true heroes. There were other heroes too…the people inside helping each other get out. While they might not think of themselves as heroes, they are. Of course, there is one more hero….Roselle the guide dog.

Books and Friendship

Some of my early memories include characters in books. I remember them the way I remember childhood friends. Some were fleeting and I only knew them through a story I read once. Others were there for a longer period of time, perhaps a series that I read over the course of several years. Some were those special old friends who I revisited many times over the years as I jumped back into a favorite book. Some were friends I couldn’t wait to introduce my children to and hope they formed as special of a friendship.

Through books, I’ve cared for baby Wilbur along with Fern. I solved crimes with Nancy Drew. I learned magic with Harry Potter. I fought the evil squirrels with Miss Suzy. I was there when the wild rumpus started. I’ve cried with fictional characters. I’ve visited castles, islands, foreign lands, the places where fairytales exist with amazing friends as guides. While that life has existed inside of the pages of books, those friends I’ve met there, have changed me, made me a better person.

The one thing I never expected was for books to bring so many human friends into my life. I’ve shared so many favorite books with so many friends who were just as excited to dive into the story as I was. I’ve had brief conversations with people at library book sales when we’ve pointed out books we recommended to each other. I’ve had deep conversations about book series with friends that have lasted through all the books. I’ve received pictures texted to me of a book page with the message “you need to read this.” I’ve found books left on my front steps by dear friends who were excited to share them with me. I’ve learned through all those interactions that reading isn’t necessarily a solo event. Reading is social in its own way.

I never expected when I started writing about children’s books back on HamletHub’s Books Ink 12 years ago, that I would meet so many incredible people both in the pages of so many amazing books and in the community around me. My introduction to my dear friend, Sally, was literally “she loves books as much as you do, you will be great friends.” Sally introduced to my incredible friend, Kerry Anne, who has been one of the biggest cheerleaders of me writing this column.

While the characters in books become friends, stay with us, help us grow, challenge us, change us, and are always there for us, I’m so incredibly grateful for the real-life friends I’ve made because of books. Books are so much more than simply words on pages. If you are as lucky as I am, books will introduce you to some of the greatest people, both on paper and in real life.

“Candle Island”

Lauren Wolk’s new book, “Candle Island,” came up on my suggested for you page on instagram. I saw the cover picture…New England island (always a favorite story setting) and that it was written by Wolk (Newbery Award winner), and immediately requested a copy at the library.

Lucretia Sanderson and her mother move to Candle Island, Maine to escape memories of the horrific car accident that took her father and to find privacy. Lucretia’s mother is a famous artist who does not give interviews and keeps everything about her art very private.

Candle Island, a summer vacation spot, is filled with an entertaining cast of characters from the very privileged summer visitors to a mysterious boy with a magical voice, a family who owns a bell making foundry and an assortment of interesting island residents.

Upon arriving at their new home, Lucretia finds a secret room that holds even more secrets and connects her to the previous residents in an unusual way. While finding her place on the island and finding that some enemies turn out to be really good friends, Lucretia realizes she needs to address her own secrets.

I’ve read a lot of books and while I was excited to read this book, I didn’t expect to find a new favorite. This is one of my top 10 books. I can’t recommend it enough. I would put Lauren Wolk’s “Candle Island” up there with all my favorite Kate DiCamillo books and E.B. White books. It is so well written with just the right amount of scene building, characters who change and develop through the story, and a beautiful depiction of the complicate web of relationships on a small island. Definitely check out this story and join Lucretia and her mother as they make Candle Island their new home.

“Through a Child’s Eyes”

Sometimes life hands us hard things and we have to dig deep to push through. Sometimes life hands us really, really hard things, and we wonder if we can push through but need to dig deeper than we thought we ever could to fight.

Stefania Venusio Amicucci takes her readers on a journey through her cancer diagnosis and treatment writing from her daughters’ view in “Through a Child’s Eyes.” Written from conversations with her two young daughters while she fought cancer, Amicucci shares with readers how her children initally noticed something was wrong and processed her being sick. Her description of her children envisioning cancer as a monster that needed to be zapped by medicine was a comparison young readers would definitely understand.

When we face hard things, we often feel alone. Trying to be strong for our family, especially young children, can be so challenging. We need to draw on support from those around us. Books are so incredible for children dealing with something difficult. While young children might not know another child in real life going through the same thing, we can often find friends in books. Knowing that someone else understands, even what that someone else is a character that lives inside the pages of a book, gives young readers (and really readers of any age) hope.

While we all wish for a world without cancer or any illness, until then, I hope young readers find comfort in books like this. I wish none of you reading this ever need to read a book like this with your children, but unfortunately most of us will know someone battling cancer. Amicucci does a wonderful job writing in a way that shows sickness and hope to young readers. I highly recommend this book!

Reading with your high schooler – Homer

To raise a reader, we need to demonstrate reading. It’s hard to sell a child on doing something if they never see those around them do that exact thing. Being read to as a young child encourages reading. Seeing parents and other friends and relatives read, encourages reading.

When my children recommended books to me that they enjoyed, I loved reading them. Sometimes the stories were incredible, and I appreciated the recommendation of a great story. Sometimes they weren’t books I’d choose but seeing how happy my child was that I read that book, made it one of the best books ever. They were sharing books with me that they loved.

As my children move through their education, they will casually mention “did you ever read this book?” I love when it is a book I remember, and we can discuss it. Sometimes, I remember reading the book but not the specifics. Sometimes, it’s a book I’ve never read before, and I’m interested to read it as well. I love that conversations can start from simply “did you ever read this book?”

One thing I’ve discovered as a reader and parent is, in addition to reading or rereading the book my child might be reading, I can read an incredible companion book. What is a companion book? A companion book is a book that explores the topic of the book further. These books include details on authors, additional information on the story itself, or give another perspective on the story. Last OTCS, I talked about “Some Writer!” the story of E.B. White. This fascinating companion book provides so much additional information about E.B. White and his experience writing with so many great conversation topics to share with your reader who is enjoying “Charlotte’s Web.”

A new favorite companion book that I highly recommend to anyone who is reading Homer (or whose children are reading Homer in school) is “The Epic Women of Homer: Exploring Women’s Roles in the Iliad and the Odyssey” by Eirene Allen, my dear friend and brilliant writer. Immerse yourself in Homer’s epic poems by understanding the stories further through Allen’s detailed look at the goddesses and heroines who have not always received the attention they deserve. Read along with your highschooler who is on this epic adventure and share insights from Allen’s exploration of these essential characters.

Reading books like this show your child how important the books they are reading truly are. Reading books like this show your child how much you value reading. Reading books like this are great conversation starters to explore the epic poems even further together. Be sure to check out Eirene Allen’s new book “The Epic Women of Homer.” I highly recommend it.

Writing through writer’s block

I’ve tried to write here multiple times lately but just had nothing profound to say. Everything I wrote seemed blah, even about books that I was excited about. I just wasn’t presenting them in a way that did them justice.

I couldn’t figure out why I had such writer’s block. I think we often keep thinks like this quiet and it’s silly because every person who writes feels this way at some point. By talking about it, we realize every writer goes through it. I was telling a dear friend this morning and she reminded me of the importance of continuing to try to write to work it out. As we chatted, I thought of a favorite book that addresses exactly this.

“Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White” by Melissa Sweet is an incredible read. “Charlotte’s Web” is one of my all-time favorite books. It is filled with important life lessons and recognizes the incredible value of a great friend. In “Some Writer!” we learn about E.B. White’s experience writing “Charlotte’s Web.” E.B. White wrote the story based on a real spider. He struggled with the first line for over a year. Read that line again…. he struggled with the first line for over a year.

As anyone who has attempted to write anything finds some comfort in knowing that even greats like E.B. White struggled with writing at times. He wrote and rewrote the start of Charlotte’s Web for a year. A YEAR. It’s easy to assume writing comes naturally for the writers we admire because we see all these incredible books that they wrote. We don’t see the discarded pages, the pages with lines crossed out and notes in the margins. We don’t see the many attempts to rewrite the story. We just see the pretty shiny finished copy.

I highly recommend “Some Writer” for several reasons. If you love “Charlotte’s Web” or anything by E.B. White, it’s a fascinating read. We all have to write, whether it is papers for school or something for work. Sometimes it’s really hard to do and easy to think we just aren’t good at it. Writing is like anything else…it takes a lot of practice and some days we are just off our game but need to keep trying.

Encouraging reading through music

*image from MrMCGrammar’s instagram page

A love of reading starts with a love of stories. Young children (pre-reading), love hearing the story. Many children love hearing fictional stories. Many children love hearing facts from books….information on dinosaurs or trains or whatever their interest in. The love hearing the words. The love hearing what happens next (fact or fiction).

When children learn to read, finding books that they will love is so important because the more interested in the subject, the more interested they are in reading. Children’s books combine words and pictures to draw children in. Parents, teachers and older siblings read stories aloud to draw young readers in. The more ways we can present books to children, the more ways for them to fall in love with reading.

I recently discovered Mr MC Grammar on social media and I’m obsessed because he presents children’s books in a whole new way to draw young children into the stories. Mr MC Grammar makes reading fun through music and rap. He raps some of our favorite children’s books while showing the illustrations and words on the page.

Children’s books often have a certain cadence to them that adapts well to music and rap. What Mr MC Grammar does is brilliant and another fabulous way to introduce children to books. Be sure to check out him out on social media.

Youtube – Mr MC Grammar

Instagram – Mr MC Grammar

The Hotel Balzaar

After “Ferris” I decided to dive into another very different Kate DiCamillo book. “The Hotel Balzaar” is a lovely hopeful magical fairytale. Like other Kate DiCamillo books, you are pulled into the story from the first page.

Young Marta lives in the maids quarters of the Hotel Balzaar with her mother. Her father, a solider, went off to fight but has not returned and no they have not received a letter from him in over a year. Marta is instructed by her mother to be quiet, stay out of trouble, and never speak to the guests. This is easy for Marta to do until a countess with a parrot checks in and tells Marta she has a series of stories to tell her. As she listens to the stories, Marta begins to wonder if there are somehow telling her about her father’s return. Does he come home? Do the countess’ tale somehow show Marta the future? Read the book to find out.

The illustrations are beautiful. The story is captivating. I opened this book to read on a train ride home and couldn’t put it down. Literally walked off the train still reading. I’ve recommended many Kate DiCamillo books here over the years and this one is definitely one you should read.

“Ferris” by Kate DiCamillo

I recently found Kate DiCamillo’s “Ferris” at the library. I don’t know how I missed when this book came out, but I’m glad I found it. I love Kate DiCamillo books because she is such an incredible storyteller, and her each story is unique and not a repetition of a past book.

“Ferris” is filled with an eccentric group of characters. Pinky, Ferris’ younger sister, wants to be an outlaw. She terrorizes the town, trying to hold up a bank, and her own family. Ferris’ Uncle Ted is living in the basement while painting the history of the world. Ferris is especially close to her grandmother, Charisse, who also lives with her family. Charisse sees a ghost in the house and tells Ferris the ghost has a very specific wish. Ferris and her best friend, Billy Jackson, try to help Ferris’ grandmother fulfill the ghost’s wish but quickly realize they can’t do it alone. They need to ask the whole family and some friends for help.

This book is so well written, the characters are unique and captivating. Ferris’ sister Pinky is challenging, and her antics are funny to readers (not to her parents who are trying to deter her from her wish of being an outlaw). Every character plays a significant role in the story and readers will find themselves invested in each individual character’s story.

Often when reading a good book, I find myself texting my reader friends photos of pages of the book. The read the passage I loved and end up reading the book as well. This book was no exception, and I texted the photo above because it was one of my favorite parts of the book. Ferris and Billy Jackson often refer to the vocabulary words their teacher had them learn in school. They define them, use them in sentences. The words are an important part of the story and an excellent way to teach young readers so many great new words.

I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages. This story would make a great family read aloud as it would give young readers a chance to hear how so many new vocabulary words are pronounced. Definitely check out “Ferris.”