Here are some other questions to think about while reading with your family:
Appearances – Ivan mentions that being a gorilla isn’t as “easy as it looks.” What does he mean? Do gorillas have it easy? In the wild? In the zoo? Do domesticated animals “have it easy” compared to animals in the wild? Are there some species that “have it easy” compared to others?
Wasting Words – Ivan espouses quite a bit of wisdom throughout this novel. One is that humans “waste words.” How do we waste words? What does he mean by that? Is his assessment correct?
Anger – Another bit of Ivan wisdom: “Anger is precious.” How so? His father taught him this (along with patience), and it seems to be the case based on his experience. Do humans treat anger as precious? Ever? How could we?
Time – According to Ivan, “With enough time, you can get used to almost anything.” Is this true? Have you actually experienced this yourself? What have you gotten used to with time? Is there anything that you don’t think you’d ever get used to even in a million years? Does Ivan really believe this himself?
Untamed and Undaunted – Bob chooses not to have a home. Do you think dogs would be happier living like Bob – foraging for food and a safe place to sleep – or in a home with people? Compare this with the idea of freedom vs. captivity. Is this the same argument? Discuss the pros and cons of each side.
Regret – Ivan calls the spit-pebble children “slimy chimps” and then immediately regrets it. Have you ever said anything that you’ve regretted? Did your parents know? What did you do? What did they do? Have you ever forgiven somebody for saying anything mean to you? Technically, Ivan says this in his mind. Is it okay to think it and not say it? Have you ever regretted thinking things that were mean even if you never said them?
Memories I – Stella thinks that Ivan chooses not to remember his past. He says that he “can’t remember,” but she tells him that there is a difference between “can’t remember” and “won’t remember.” What does she mean?
Memories II – Stella continues by saying, “Memories are precious…they help tell us who we are.” She then encourages Ivan to try to remember all of his keepers. Take a walk down memory lane and reminisce about your “keepers.” (Parents, relatives, old babysitters, camp counselors, pastors, coaches, etc.) Swap stories about the people who “kept” you at one time in your life whether for a few years or for one half-hour lesson. Ivan’s favorite keeper was Gerald who once brought him strawberries. Do you have a favorite keeper? What made him/her your favorite?
Change – The animals at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade seem to know when change is coming. Ivan says that humans “always smell odd when change is in the air.” (Like rotten meat, with a hint of papaya!) Have you ever sensed a change before it happened? Share about this experience. What tipped you off? Do you think that animals notice change before we do? How could we be more in tune to notice the same cues? Is it even possible?
Parenting – Stella muses that “the hardest part about being a parent would be keeping your babies safe from harm.” Do you agree? Do you ever think about how tough it is for your parents to keep you safe from harm? Have you done anything to make it easier? To make it harder? How could you help to make it easier? Discuss.
Just Because – Bob says that “sometimes you just need to dig for the sake of digging.” Is there anything that you do for no reason at all? What? Have you ever thought about why you just do certain things? Is there anything that you think you’re simply “wired” to do?
Humans – As Ruby tells her story of the time she fell into the hole, the other animals have prejudged the worst of the humans, but it turned out that these humans were nice. They saved her. Have you ever prejudged someone and been wrong? How can you work to avoid casting judgment? We seem to be predisposed as a species to share bad news rather than good. Why? Have you heard any stories of human kindness recently? If you have any, share some Stella-like stories about people working together to do good.
Appearances – Ivan mentions that being a gorilla isn’t as “easy as it looks.” What does he mean? Do gorillas have it easy? In the wild? In the zoo? Do domesticated animals “have it easy” compared to animals in the wild? Are there some species that “have it easy” compared to others?
Wasting Words – Ivan espouses quite a bit of wisdom throughout this novel. One is that humans “waste words.” How do we waste words? What does he mean by that? Is his assessment correct?
Anger – Another bit of Ivan wisdom: “Anger is precious.” How so? His father taught him this (along with patience), and it seems to be the case based on his experience. Do humans treat anger as precious? Ever? How could we?
Time – According to Ivan, “With enough time, you can get used to almost anything.” Is this true? Have you actually experienced this yourself? What have you gotten used to with time? Is there anything that you don’t think you’d ever get used to even in a million years? Does Ivan really believe this himself?
Untamed and Undaunted – Bob chooses not to have a home. Do you think dogs would be happier living like Bob – foraging for food and a safe place to sleep – or in a home with people? Compare this with the idea of freedom vs. captivity. Is this the same argument? Discuss the pros and cons of each side.
Regret – Ivan calls the spit-pebble children “slimy chimps” and then immediately regrets it. Have you ever said anything that you’ve regretted? Did your parents know? What did you do? What did they do? Have you ever forgiven somebody for saying anything mean to you? Technically, Ivan says this in his mind. Is it okay to think it and not say it? Have you ever regretted thinking things that were mean even if you never said them?
Memories I – Stella thinks that Ivan chooses not to remember his past. He says that he “can’t remember,” but she tells him that there is a difference between “can’t remember” and “won’t remember.” What does she mean?
Memories II – Stella continues by saying, “Memories are precious…they help tell us who we are.” She then encourages Ivan to try to remember all of his keepers. Take a walk down memory lane and reminisce about your “keepers.” (Parents, relatives, old babysitters, camp counselors, pastors, coaches, etc.) Swap stories about the people who “kept” you at one time in your life whether for a few years or for one half-hour lesson. Ivan’s favorite keeper was Gerald who once brought him strawberries. Do you have a favorite keeper? What made him/her your favorite?
Change – The animals at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade seem to know when change is coming. Ivan says that humans “always smell odd when change is in the air.” (Like rotten meat, with a hint of papaya!) Have you ever sensed a change before it happened? Share about this experience. What tipped you off? Do you think that animals notice change before we do? How could we be more in tune to notice the same cues? Is it even possible?
Parenting – Stella muses that “the hardest part about being a parent would be keeping your babies safe from harm.” Do you agree? Do you ever think about how tough it is for your parents to keep you safe from harm? Have you done anything to make it easier? To make it harder? How could you help to make it easier? Discuss.
Just Because – Bob says that “sometimes you just need to dig for the sake of digging.” Is there anything that you do for no reason at all? What? Have you ever thought about why you just do certain things? Is there anything that you think you’re simply “wired” to do?
Humans – As Ruby tells her story of the time she fell into the hole, the other animals have prejudged the worst of the humans, but it turned out that these humans were nice. They saved her. Have you ever prejudged someone and been wrong? How can you work to avoid casting judgment? We seem to be predisposed as a species to share bad news rather than good. Why? Have you heard any stories of human kindness recently? If you have any, share some Stella-like stories about people working together to do good.