This is an interesting autobiography of Japanese cartoonist and illustrator Allen Say. He is written and illustrated several well-known picture books in English. This book
is an autobiographical collage, with photographs, drawings and
sketches from both the author-artist as well as the work of his teacher are combined with a straightforward and haunting narrative. Say
tells readers about his memories of his early life in Japan. This is
not a boring biography. Say gives us just glimpses into his
life, but they are powerful images of important moments of a
boy's memory--important moments that shape his life as a person and an
artist. Sometimes it is not immediately obvious why a particular memory
is important, but this only adds to the feeling that this is
the story of a real person with a unique history.
This quick-read Newberry book is both sad and wonderful. Ivan is a silverback
gorilla captured from the wild almost 30 years ago living in a small
cage at a mall. He and a few other animals, including an
elephant, perform little tricks for customers. Ivan is an artist and like a Kate DiCamillo book, the various animals talk to each
other and make art. Ivan is based on a real gorilla
that lived at a highway exit before being moved to a zoo. The story
really begins when the old elephant, Stella, dies, and she asks Ivan to
make sure her baby elephant, Ruby, leads a better life.
Ivan is frustrated at his inability to help Ruby. A girl and her father try to convince Mack, the owner of the mini circus at the mall, to do
the right thing regarding the animals, even putting his job in danger. Mack isn't entirely
cruel, although his treatment of the animals is not really good either. Mack
cares for Ivan in his own way, although it is not the right way. When changes do occur, Ivan shows powerful emotions--happy and sad all at the same time. He is excited by his new experiences, but also
worried and apprehensive. The author does a marvelous job of showing the sadness of captured and caged animals, but also the strong spirit
of humans willing to help animals.The relationships between the characters are the best part of the book.
