I'll start things off by posing a few basic discussion questions. Students, parents, teachers, families, or entire classes can share their answers by posting a comment below.
You can also write your own questions for the rest of us to ponder and answer to keep the discussion going.
Here are my questions:
1. On the very first page of the book, Ivan states that being a gorilla is "not as easy as it looks". Do you think that gorillas (or other animals) have easier lives than humans? Why might Ivan's life not be "as easy as it looks?"
2. Is there anything about this book that "hooks" you as a reader? What made you want to read it? Were you drawn into the story right away? What does the author do that makes you want to keep reading?