3.1 The Author’s Note
3.1 The Author’s Note
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Explain what is an author’s note, and the inspiration for the novel from the author’s note
Before Reading
Explain what is an author’s note, and the inspiration for the novel from the author’s note
Before Reading
A. What is an author’s note?
A. What is an author’s note?
The author’s note is a statement from the author to the readers about the book.1
The author’s note is a statement from the author to the readers about the book.1
The author uses the author’s note to communicate directly with his/her readers, sharing insights about the inspiration of the book and the making of the book. It is found in both fiction and nonfiction text.1
The author uses the author’s note to communicate directly with his/her readers, sharing insights about the inspiration of the book and the making of the book. It is found in both fiction and nonfiction text.1
The author’s note can be compelling, surprising, and revealing. Almost always, they add a fuller picture of the subject, making the book more meaningful.2
The author’s note can be compelling, surprising, and revealing. Almost always, they add a fuller picture of the subject, making the book more meaningful.2
B. What is the purpose of an author’s note?
B. What is the purpose of an author’s note?
An author’s note is important because it:
An author’s note is important because it:
1. Creates a relationship between the writer and his/her readers 2
1. Creates a relationship between the writer and his/her readers 2
2. Builds credibility and validates the author and their craft 2
2. Builds credibility and validates the author and their craft 2
3. Explains inspiration and insights behind the story 2
3. Explains inspiration and insights behind the story 2
4. Provides insights into where truth meets fiction of the story 3
4. Provides insights into where truth meets fiction of the story 3
5. Allows readers to value the creative process of writing the book 3
5. Allows readers to value the creative process of writing the book 3
Author’s Note as seen in the 'The One and Only Ivan,' UK Children’s Books, 2012 4
Author’s Note as seen in the 'The One and Only Ivan,' UK Children’s Books, 2012 4
The One and Only Ivan is a work of fiction, but the inspiration for this imagined tale lies in a true story.
The One and Only Ivan is a work of fiction, but the inspiration for this imagined tale lies in a true story.
Ivan, a real gorilla, now lives at Zoo Atlanta, but on the way to that happy ending, he spent almost three decades without seeing another of his own kind.
Ivan, a real gorilla, now lives at Zoo Atlanta, but on the way to that happy ending, he spent almost three decades without seeing another of his own kind.
After being captured as an infant in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ivan’s twin sister died en route to the U.S. or shortly thereafter), Ivan was raised in a home until he became unmanageable. At that point he was added to an odd collection of animals housed at a circus-themed mall in Washington state.
After being captured as an infant in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ivan’s twin sister died en route to the U.S. or shortly thereafter), Ivan was raised in a home until he became unmanageable. At that point he was added to an odd collection of animals housed at a circus-themed mall in Washington state.
Fig 1.1: Ivan, the gorilla that inspired the novel, now lives in Zoo Atlanta.
Fig 1.1: Ivan, the gorilla that inspired the novel, now lives in Zoo Atlanta.
Fig 1.2: PAWS members at one of many protests to free Ivan (L), and a poster form a rally (R).
Ivan spent twenty-seven years of his life alone in a cage. Over time, as an understanding of primate needs and behaviour grew, public discomfort with Ivan’s lonely state grew as well, particularly after he was featured in a National Geographic special entitled The Urban Gorilla. A public outcry followed, including heartfelt letters from children. When the mall where Ivan lived went bankrupt, he was placed on permanent loan to Zoo Atlanta, which houses the largest group of captive western lowland gorillas in the nation.
Ivan spent twenty-seven years of his life alone in a cage. Over time, as an understanding of primate needs and behaviour grew, public discomfort with Ivan’s lonely state grew as well, particularly after he was featured in a National Geographic special entitled The Urban Gorilla. A public outcry followed, including heartfelt letters from children. When the mall where Ivan lived went bankrupt, he was placed on permanent loan to Zoo Atlanta, which houses the largest group of captive western lowland gorillas in the nation.
Ivan is now a beloved celebrity at Zoo Atlanta, where he lives contentedly with Kinyani and other gorillas. He’s known for his paintings, which are often “signed” with his thumbprint.
Ivan is now a beloved celebrity at Zoo Atlanta, where he lives contentedly with Kinyani and other gorillas. He’s known for his paintings, which are often “signed” with his thumbprint.
Ivan and Kinyani are real gorillas - and so, by the way, is Jambo, whose story Stella tells to Ivan and Bob. But all other characters and situations in this novel are entirely the product of my imagination. When I started to write about the grim facts of Ivan’s solitary existence, a new tale slowly began to take shape. At least on the page, where anything is possible, I wanted to give Ivan (even while captive behind the walls of his tiny cage) a voice of his own and a story to tell.
Ivan and Kinyani are real gorillas - and so, by the way, is Jambo, whose story Stella tells to Ivan and Bob. But all other characters and situations in this novel are entirely the product of my imagination. When I started to write about the grim facts of Ivan’s solitary existence, a new tale slowly began to take shape. At least on the page, where anything is possible, I wanted to give Ivan (even while captive behind the walls of his tiny cage) a voice of his own and a story to tell.
I wanted to give him someone to protect, and the chance to be the mighty silverback he was always meant to be.
I wanted to give him someone to protect, and the chance to be the mighty silverback he was always meant to be.
Fig 1.3: Katherine Applegate, the author of
The One and Only Ivan
In Katheine Applegate’s voice, listen to her share the backstory of creating 'The One and Only Ivan.'
Watch the trailer of the book below:
Watch the trailer of the book below:
Vid: 1.1: Official 'One and Only Ivan' Book Trailer
Summary:
Summary:
1. The author’s note is a statement from the author to the readers about the book.
1. The author’s note is a statement from the author to the readers about the book.
2. An author’s note is important because it:
2. An author’s note is important because it:
Creates a relationship between the writer and his/her readers
Builds credibility and validates the author and their craft
Explains inspiration and insights behind the story
Provides insights into where truth meets fiction of the story
Allows readers to value the creative process of writing the book
3. One and Only Ivan is a work of fiction, but the inspiration for this imagined tale lies in a true story. This story is inspired by Ivan, a real gorilla who spent twenty-seven years of his life alone in a cage in a mall.
3. One and Only Ivan is a work of fiction, but the inspiration for this imagined tale lies in a true story. This story is inspired by Ivan, a real gorilla who spent twenty-seven years of his life alone in a cage in a mall.
References:
References:
1 What Is An Author’s Note? Do You Need One?. Self Published Whiz. from (link)
2 Author’s Notes - The Story Behind The Story. Donna Janell Bowman (2010). from (link)
3 Group Blog: An Author’s Note By Suzy Leopold. Groggrog Blogspot (2016). from (link)
4 Author’s Note. The One and Only Ivan UK Children's Book (2020)
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