The One and Only Ivan

by Katherine Applegate

New photo project! This year I resolved to read more, cook more, and look for more everyday beauty to shoot. Voila: a new project was born.

For each book I read this year I hope to cook something new inspired by the story and document it with my camera.

First, this lovely family story about a sweet gorilla named Ivan. Don’t miss this book: it’s like Charlotte’s Web with circus animals. Based on an actual gorilla who was abducted from the jungle and brought to live in a shopping mall, it’s filled with characters whose compassion made me weep, and tenderness I won’t soon forget.

I thought I’d make some banana bread in Ivan’s honor – with lots of chocolate chips in honor of the little readers in my home who enjoyed this story over many bedtimes.