Ivan, the mighty silverback gorilla, spends his days watching TV, painting and talking to his best friends Stella the elephant and Bob the dog. Not a terrible life, but their domain is a cage and they can never leave.

The story is beautifully told from Ivan’s perspective and at its core are the relationships he has with his friends and the young girl who visits him every day. When a baby elephant arrives, Ivan makes a promise to Stella that forces him to risk a courageous plan for a better life.

Based on the true story of a great ape who spent 27 years as an attraction in an American mall, this story is heartbreaking, but ultimately inspiring, and is highly recommended for 8–12 year-old animal lovers and budding activists.

Angela Crocombe is the Children’s Book Buyer at Readings Carlton.