The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan

Poet: Katherine Applegate

Illustrator: Patricia Castelao

Publishing: HarperCollins Publishers, 2012

"How Ivan confronts his harrowing past yet stays true to his nature exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage. … Utterly believable, this bittersweet story, complete with an author's note identifying the real Ivan, will inspire a new generation of advocates."
- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

        Ivan is a silverback gorilla who has spent 27 years in captivity, within the glassed cage of a dated circus-themed mall where people watch him at “two, four, and seven, 365 days a year.” Ivan is friends with a stray dog named Bob and Stella an aging elephant. Ivan spends his time making art using crayons to recreate objects in his world. When Ruby, a baby elephant arrives to replace the dying Stella, Ivan begins to see his condition, his situation, and his art in a new light.

        Ivan makes a promise to Stella that he won’t let the Ruby grow up in a cage. As Ivan remembers what it is to be a gorilla, he realizes he must make changes to secure a better life for Stella.

         Inspired by a real captive gorilla, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is written in halting free verse, with the author utilizing words and rhythm carefully and sparingly. The cadence of the poetry both complements the words of Ivan and also serves as a parallel to the sparse environment Ivan is forced to live in:  

“Humans waste words. They toss them like banana peels and leave them to rot.

Everyone knows the peels are the best part.”

       

        The halting half sentences had the effect of forcing the patience of Ivan onto me, as the reader, forcing me to do with less. Even Castelao’s illustrations are used sparingly within the book.

           This novel could easily be paired with related books dealing animals and unlikely friendships, animals in captivity and more. In fact, themes within the story of unlikely friendships, sense of belonging, animal rights, family and responsibility, make the story work well within the context of a variety of connections. Activities might range from creating an evolution-based “family tree” to researching the habitats of gorillas and comparing that to the real-life habitat of the gorilla that was the inspiration for story.

            The novel has won numerous awards. In 2013 alone it won the Newberry Medal, the American Library Association Notable Books for Children Award, and the Christopher Book Award. It was also nominated for the Great Lakes' Great Books Award, and the Bluebonnet Award.

Applegate, Katherine. The One and Only Ivan. Ill. by Patricia Castelao. (New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2012).