This specific illustrated book adapts a longer work of fiction for a younger audience. It presents the core narrative, characters, and themes of the original story in a visually accessible format. The story centers around a captive gorilla who reclaims his past through art and friendship. It is distinct from the novel by Katherine Applegate, but it is the adapted version.
Such adaptations serve as an entry point for children to engage with complex subjects like animal rights, captivity, and artistic expression. These illustrated versions often simplify the language and focus on key plot points to make the story more understandable and engaging for young readers. Their appeal lies in using images alongside text to further comprehension and emotional resonance, and historical context such as how this book was developed overtime.
