Book Themed Activities for The One and Only Ivan
By Lily | Published 3 October 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links. 
As parents, we all want to inspire our children to fall in love with reading. But it can feel like a challenge especially in a world full of screens and distractions. That’s where The One and Only Ivan, by renowned author Katherine Applegate comes in.
This Newbery Medal-winning book, based on the true story of a captive gorilla, is a heartwarming tale that captivates readers of all ages. With its short chapters, relatable characters, and important themes, it’s the perfect book to spark a love of reading in your child.
Whether you’re a busy parent or a homeschooling pro, these fun, easy-to-implement activities will help you gamify the reading experience and deepen your child’s connection to the story.
Why "The One and Only Ivan" Is a Great Way to Inspire Readers
Before diving into the activities, let’s talk about why this book is such a great choice.
The One and Only Ivan tells the story of Ivan, a silverback gorilla who lives in a shopping mall called the Big Top Mall. Alongside his animal friends—like Stella, the wise elephant, and Bob, the stray dog—Ivan dreams of a better life. The arrival of Ruby, a baby elephant, changes everything, pushing Ivan to take action and fight for their freedom.
The book is based on true events, which makes it even more compelling. It’s a story about friendship, courage, and the importance of standing up for what’s right. Plus, the short chapters and engaging narrative make it accessible for young readers, while the underlying message about animal abuse and conservation sparks critical thinking skills.
Now, let’s explore some fun activities to bring this story to life!
10 Fun Activities to Enjoy After Reading The One and Only Ivan
Activity 1: Design a New Cover for the Book
Let your child's creativity shine by designing a new cover of the book! They can use pictures, symbols, or quotes from the story. For more inspiration, visit the local zoo to see animals that represent the main characters.
Materials Needed:
Paper or cardstock
Markers, paints, or digital design tools
This activity is perfect for early finishers or as a standalone project.
Activity 2: Learn more about what happened to Ivan
Learn the true story of Ivan and find out how he adapted to his new home at Zoo Atlanta. Here’s a clip of the real Ivan in his new habitat.
There are also many organizations who work hard to ensure the safe and ethical treatment of animals. Learn more about PAWS, the organization that campaigned to free the real Ivan from the mall where he was held captive.
Activity 3: Create a Big Top Mall Diorama
One of the most memorable settings in the book is the Big Top Mall, where Ivan and his friends live. Why not recreate it with your child? This is a great way to combine reading with hands-on creativity.
What You’ll Need:
A shoebox or small cardboard box
Craft supplies like construction paper, markers, and glue
Small figurines or drawings of Ivan, Stella, Ruby, and Bob
Optional: Chart paper to sketch out the design first
How to Do It:
Read the descriptions of the Big Top Mall in the book and discuss how it looks from Ivan’s perspective.
Use the shoebox to create a mini version of the mall. Include details like the video arcade, Ivan’s domain, and Stella’s enclosure.
Add the animal characters and talk about how they might feel living in this environment compared to their natural habitat.
This activity not only reinforces the setting but also encourages your child to think about the characters’ experiences.
Activity 4: Make a banana cake in honor of Ivan!
As a family, bake a delicious banana cake that Ivan would love! This recipe from @Preppy Kitchen is moist, soft, and full of banana flavor. It’s topped with rich and tangy cream cheese frosting, making it a dessert everyone will enjoy.
This tasty cake is great for any occasion. You just need a few simple ingredients, and you'll have it ready in no time. It’s easy to make and perfect for potlucks, birthdays, or whenever you have ripe bananas!
Activity 5: Watch the movie!
Have a family movie night to enjoy the Disney adaptation of The One and Only Ivan, released in August 2020. The movie follows the book's main themes and characters, but there are some differences.
For instance, the film focuses more on the relationships between the animals and their human caretakers, especially Ivan's bond with the young girl, Ruby. It also highlights animal rights and the need for a kind environment for animals.
The movie adds new characters, like a funny stray dog named Bob. While the ending is a bit different, it still tells the heartwarming story of Ivan and his friends.
Activity 6: Host a Book Club Discussion
If your child has friends who are also reading The One and Only Ivan, why not host a book club? This is a fun way to encourage social interaction and critical thinking.
Discussion Questions to Include:
How does Ivan’s perspective change throughout the story?
What character traits do Ivan, Stella, and Ruby share? How are they different?
Why is the care of Ruby so important to Ivan?
What does the book teach us about animal abuse and conservation?
You can use a discussion guide or create your own questions based on the needs of your child. Small groups work well for this, allowing everyone to share their thoughts.
Activity 7: Different novel study resources and lesson plans
Visit the official website for The One and Only Ivan which has a Reading and Teaching Guide with discussion questions to promote critical thinking.
Don’t forget to download the The One and Only Ivan activity packet released with the movie!
From Library Sparks, download the vocabulary activities printout on The One and Only Ivan.
Vocabulary.com is a great site to test your child's knowledge and spelling of words from The One and Only Ivan.
This free activity booklet by Reading Quests is a fun way for your child to read for comprehension without feeling like it’s homework!
Activity 8: Explore Ivan’s Memories Through Art
Throughout the book, Ivan shares memories of his life before the mall, including his parents and his natural environment. These memories play an important role in shaping his character.
Activity Idea:
Ask your child to choose one of Ivan’s memories and create a piece of art inspired by it. They can use paints, crayons, or even graphic arts tools if they’re tech-savvy.
Display their artwork and discuss how Ivan’s memories influence his actions in the story.
This is a great opportunity to connect reading with visual arts and encourage your child to think deeply about the characters.
Activity 9: Write a Letter From Ivan’s Perspective
Encourage your child to step into Ivan’s shoes by writing a letter from his point of view. They can write to Ruby, Stella, or even Ivan’s parents.
Prompt Ideas:
What would Ivan say to Ruby about his hopes for her future?
How might Ivan describe his life at the Big Top Mall to another gorilla in the wild?
This activity not only boosts writing skills but also helps your child empathize with the characters.
Activity 10: Read more books by Katherine Applegate!
Katherine Applegate has written many wonderful animal stories. In these books, she uses animals to explore important themes like identity, diversity, and empathy in a way that's easy for young readers to understand:
1. Wishtree - This middle-grade novel is told from the viewpoint of Red, a wise old oak tree that watches over a diverse community of animals and people.
2. Endling Series - This fantasy series follows a girl named Byx, who is the last of her species, on her journey to find other surviving creatures in a world where humans are hunting them to extinction.
3. The Animorphs Series - A popular science fiction series for teens about a group of kids who can transform into any animal they touch, using their powers to protect Earth from an alien invasion.
4. Crenshaw - This heartwarming middle-grade story is about a boy named Jackson and his imaginary friend, a giant cat named Crenshaw, who helps him deal with his family's financial struggles and homelessness.
Final Thoughts
The One and Only Ivan is more than a New York Times bestseller. It’s an opportunity to inspire your child to think critically, empathize with others, and appreciate the power of storytelling. By incorporating these fun and easy activities, you can turn reading into an interactive adventure that your child will never forget.
Whether you’re creating a diorama, hosting a book club, or exploring the true story behind the book, these activities are designed to be simple yet impactful. So grab a copy of The One and Only Ivan, gather your supplies, and get ready to bring this unforgettable story to life!
Happy reading! 🐾
Celebrate The One and Only Ivan!
Download this FREE artwork of The One and Only Ivan to hang or frame in your child’s room as a memento of this special book!
