Book Discussion: January 26, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm EST
Virtual Event: January 27, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm EST
Where: Virtual
Grades: K-12
Registration Deadline: Closed
Meet the one and only Ivan, a silverback gorilla who spent the first part of his life raised by humans and living in a shopping mall. We’ll learn how he went from performing circus acts with his friends, to living at Zoo Atlanta, charming visitors and staff with his fun-loving ways and wild heart.
Book Information
First we’ll read (or listen to) the book, The One and Only Ivan*. It’s recommended for grades 3-7, but I enjoyed it, too – and I’m a lot older than that! Children in pre-school through grade 3 may enjoy Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla** or Ivan: A Gorilla’s True Story.** We’ll meet on Zoom afterwards to talk about the books.
*A sentence in Ivan’s narrative at the beginning of the book states that we’re all connected (apes, humans, chimpanzees, orangutans, bonobos) in a wide family tree as distant cousins.
*Two characters in the book die. They’re not violent deaths, and both are integral to the plot.
**Both of these are the same book, with different titles.
Note: I included the links so you’ll know which book(s) to get, but they’re likely available at your local library.
Virtual Event Information
In addition to the book discussion, we’ll meet Jodi, the woman at Zoo Atlanta who was Ivan’s primary care specialist and friend. She’ll tell us stories about Ivan and answer our questions about him and his life at the zoo (he passed away in 2012). We’ll also learn about the care of gorillas in the zoo and their conservation in the wild.
Cost and Refund Policy
The cost is $20 per family (one device login per family), payable via debit/credit through my online payment platform. No refunds if you don’t attend the event (for any reason).
Before you register, please note…
- This event has two parts – a book discussion and virtual zoo visit. Students who don’t read the book and participate in the discussion won’t be able to attend the virtual event (no refunds).
- This book discussion and virtual event will be delivered via Zoom. You must have your username to register.
- One login per family, from a single laptop, monitor, or device. Make sure you have a large enough screen for your students to view during the program.
- Your camera must be on during the book discussion and virtual event, and only registered students (and their parents) can attend.
- Spots are very limited, so register as soon as you’re certain you want to attend.