The One and Only Ivan: A Kid-Friendly Book Summary
By Lily | Published 3 October 2022 | Goodreads Rating 4.28 | This post may contain affiliate links.
The One and Only Ivan is a Newbery medal award winning book by Katherine Applegate. The book is inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla who befriends a baby elephant and other animals at a shopping mall. The story is told from the point of view of Ivan, and it is full of hope and friendship. It is a touching story that will stay with you long after you have read it.
The book has been made into a movie, and it is just as good as the book. If you are looking for a heart-warming story to read with your family, then I highly recommend The One and Only Ivan.
“Gorillas are not complainers. We’re dreamers, poets, philosphers, nap takers.”
What is The One and Only Ivan About?
The One and Only Ivan is a heart-warming book about a silverback gorilla named Ivan who lives in a cage at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, a rundown shopping center. Ivan has spent 27 years living in a cage. His world consists of the mall visitors, his bickering animal friends, and TV shows he watches through the glass. He is content with his life until one day, the arrival of a baby elephant at the mall upends his life.
When baby elephant Ruby arrives, Stella makes Ivan promise to take care of Ruby if anything happens to her. Stella eventually passes away, and Ivan must find a way to keep his promise to Stella. As Ivan learns about Ruby's tragic past, he becomes determined to find a way to give her a better life.
Through this friendship, Ivan starts to realize the importance of freedom and home and the consequences of captivity. Inspired by Stella's dreams of a sanctuary for animals and guided by his artistic talent, Ivan devises a plan to bring attention to their plight and secure their freedom.
Through courage, creativity, and the help of some unexpected human allies, Ivan and his friends come up with a plan to escape and find a new home for himself and the other animals.
Who are the major characters in the story?
Ivan: The narrator and main character, Ivan is a gentle and intelligent silverback gorilla. He has spent most of his life in captivity at the Big Top Mall. He is an artist and a deep thinker, and his journey to rediscover his true nature is the heart of the story.
Stella: An old and wise elephant who is a mother figure to Ivan, Stella has been in captivity for most of her life also. She is wise, kind, and patient, and her story helps Ivan understand the importance of freedom.
Ruby: A young elephant who is brought to the Big Top Mall after Stella's death. Her innocence, vulnerability, and strong spirit inspires Ivan to take action to improve the lives of the animals in the mall.
Bob: A stray dog who befriends Ivan and provides comic relief throughout the story. He is resourceful, loyal, and clever, and he plays a significant role in helping Ivan achieve his goals.
Julia: A young girl who befriends Ivan and helps Ivan find a way to escape captivity.
Mack: The owner of the shopping mall and Ivan's main caretaker.
RELATED: Check out the book-themed activities for The One and Only Ivan!
Key Themes: What lessons can be learned from the book?
The One and Only Ivan touches on a variety of themes, including animal rights, friendship, and hope. The book highlights the importance of treating animals with compassion and respect, and it encourages readers to think critically about the nature of captivity and the treatment of animals in zoos and other forms of entertainment. The glass walls of Ivan’s domain is not the place for wild animals to live in.
The story teaches readers the importance of empathy and compassion, showing how important it is to treat all living beings with respect and kindness.
The book also emphasizes the power of friendship and the importance of never giving up hope, even in the face of adversity. Through Ivan’s relationship with Stella and Bob, we learn the importance of friendship, the power of family, and the value of freedom.
How does the story end?
The story ends with Ivan, Stella and Bob now living in a zoo where they can live in a large natural habitat. Ivan’s story ends with a note to people who keep animals in captivity: “We still don’t have our freedom, but we hope you understand what freedom means to us and will do all you can to help us achieve it.”
Why Kids Will Love It
The One and Only Ivan is easy to read and understand, making it accessible to readers of all ages. Kids will love the book for its engaging and relatable characters, its powerful message about animal rights, and its inspiring story of hope and friendship. They'll root for Ivan and his quest for freedom. It will also inspire empathy, awareness and even activism in readers.
Teaching Points
This book provides excellent opportunities for discussions as a family and lessons on:
Encouraging your child to explore the themes of empathy, hope, and friendship. We must advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves.
Teaching about animal rights and welfare and the ethical treatment of animals. And challenging unjust systems and standing up for what is right.
Using Ivan's artwork as inspiration to encourage your child to express themselves through creative outlets.
Exploring the real-life story of Ivan the gorilla, comparing and contrasting his experiences with those portrayed in the book.
And, imagining the world from different perspectives. We walk in Ivan's shoes and see the world through his eyes, gaining insight into his intelligent and complex mind.
RELATED: Visit here to download free printables for The One and Only Ivan.
Interesting facts about the Book and Author
"The One and Only Ivan" is based on the true story of a gorilla named Ivan, who lived in a shopping mall in Tacoma, Washington, for 27 years before being moved to a zoo in Atlanta where he lived until his death in 2012.
The book won the prestigious John Newbery Medal in 2013, which is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
Katherine Applegate is also the author of the popular "Animorphs" series, which she co-wrote with her husband, Michael Grant, under the pen name K.A. Applegate.
Applegate was inspired to write "The One and Only Ivan" after learning about the real Ivan's story and seeing his artwork, which he created using finger paints and crayons.
A film adaptation of "The One and Only Ivan" was released in 2020 on Disney+, featuring the voices of Sam Rockwell as Ivan, Angelina Jolie as Stella, and Danny DeVito as Bob and directed by Thea Sharrock.
A follow-up book Only Bob tells the continuing story of Ivan’s faithful friend Bob.
To Conclude
The One and Only Ivan is an inspiring story about friendship and freedom. It is an easy read that will stay with you long after you have finished it. It is a reminder to look out for and protect the rights of all animals. The book has been praised for its unique perspective, its inspiring story and its fantastic characters. It is a story that children of all ages can enjoy, and adults can appreciate. The short chapters make it a great book for a younger audience. Our family highly recommend it!
The One and Only Ivan has received many positive reviews. This children's novel was recommended by the New York Times, Kirkus and School Library Journal, It has also won numerous awards and recognitions including the Newberry Medal, the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, the American Library Association Notable Children’s Books Award, and the NCTE Charlotte Huck Award.
