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The One and Only Ivan – Discussion Guide

Discussion Guide:

  1. Ivan’s job at the circus is to roar and be ferocious and scary. Ivan explains that he’s ‘just pretending’. He explains that he is really a friendly and happy gorilla and when Julie draws a picture of him this way, he states ‘that’s the real me!’. What’s the real you? Is it different than what people think? How are you different at home vs. your friends vs. meeting someone new?
    Caregiver Note: We all put on different ‘faces’ for different situations, sometimes without even realizing we are doing it. This question provides the opportunity for you to explore this with your children. If they are struggling to answer it could be helpful to provide examples about yourself- how you act at home with them vs. at work in a meeting. What other people think about them is also a point of concern, especially with children who have experienced trauma and may have behavioral issues. Talk about how they feel people view them and how that may not be…

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About the Author: Jenn Ehlers

Jenn is a central Virginia native who received her BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia in 2012. Since then she has worked for a local mental health agency and the Department of Social Services in various capacities and has been involved in her community’s efforts to create a Trauma Informed Network. Currently Jenn works in vocational rehab and mentors youth in foster care. When she isn’t working, Jenn enjoys writing stories, anything and everything Harry Potter, and spending time with her niece and nephew.


**Transfiguring Adoption is a nonprofit organization seeking to nurture growth in foster and adoptive families by giving a HOOT about their families. Transfiguring Adoption does not intend for its reviewers nor its review to be professional, medical or legal advice. These reviews and discussion guides are intended to help parents to better be able to connect and understand their children who come from traumatic backgrounds.


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Jenn is a central Virginia native who received her BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia in 2012. Since then she has worked for a local mental health agency and the Department of Social Services in various capacities and has been involved in her community’s efforts to create a Trauma Informed Network. Currently Jenn works in vocational rehab and mentors youth in foster care. When she isn’t working, Jenn enjoys writing stories, visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and spending time with her nieces and nephew.

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