The One And Only Ivan: A Review Of Katherine Applegate's Classic Children's Book

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate has taken the world of children’s literature by storm with its heartwarming tale of friendship and inner strength. This Newbery Medal-winning novel is a must-read for any young reader, featuring a unique combination of illustrations, an engaging story, and relatable characters. The plot follows Ivan, an easygoing gorilla who lives in captivity at a shopping mall, as he struggles to find his place in the world. With the help of his loyal friends—an elephant, a stray dog, and a baby turtle—Ivan discovers how to break the barriers that have been placed around him and become the hero of his own life. Through this captivating journey, Ivan finds out what it means to be brave, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. Readers will be inspired by Ivan’s determination and bravery as they follow along on his journey.

The One and Only Ivan is an excellent way to introduce children to important topics such as animal rights, captivity, and self-determination. It is sure to spark conversations about these issues and encourage readers to stand up for their beliefs. Applegate’s writing style is both thoughtful and entertaining; her words draw readers in and make them feel as if they are part of Ivan’s story. Parents can feel confident knowing that their children are reading an appropriate book with meaningful content that will leave a lasting impression. For those looking for an inspiring story about overcoming obstacles, The One and Only Ivan should definitely be at the top of your list! Read on to find out why this book is so special…

Table of Contents

The One and Only Ivan Review

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate, is a heartwarming story about the unlikely friendship between a silverback gorilla and a baby elephant. It follows Ivan’s adventures as he escapes from captivity to live in a zoo with his friends. This beloved Newbery Medal Winner has been captivating readers for years!

Key Features:
1. Newbery Medal Winner
2. Inspiring story of friendship
3. Follows Ivan’s adventures as he escapes captivity
4. Captivates readers of all ages

The One and Only Ivan tells the remarkable tale of an unlikely bond formed between two very different creatures: a silverback gorilla named Ivan and an elephant calf named Ruby. Despite their differences in size and species, they come together to form an unbreakable bond as they navigate their new lives in the zoo. With its heartfelt messages of courage, resilience, and friendship, this beloved Newbery Medal Winner will capture readers of all ages!

This delightful book features beautiful illustrations that bring the characters to life and offer vivid descriptions of their surroundings. At the same time, it offers meaningful lessons about loyalty, perseverance, and trustworthiness. Readers will be inspired by Ivan’s courage throughout his journey and fall in love with his unique personality!

Product Details

Product Details	Description
Title	The One and Only Ivan
Author	Katherine Applegate
Publisher	HarperCollins
Format	Hardcover
Language	English
ISBN-10	0061992275
ISBN-13	978-0061992277
Publication Date	August 7, 2012
Page Count	307 pages

The One and Only Ivan Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Written by celebrated author Katherine Applegate, The One and Only Ivan is a heartwarming story of courage, friendship and the power of small acts of kindness.

2. It features stunning illustrations by Patricia Castelao that bring this beloved elephant to life.

3. The book has won numerous awards including a Newbery Medal, a Coretta Scott King Honor Award, an E.B. White Read Aloud Honor, and a New York Times Bestseller.

4. It’s perfect for readers ages 8-12 but can be enjoyed by all ages.

Cons:

1. Some readers may find it a bit slow in parts as the story progresses slowly over time.

2. The content is quite heavy at times, which may not be suitable for younger or more sensitive readers.

Conclusion:
Overall, The One and Only Ivan is an inspiring tale of courage, friendship and the power of small acts of kindness that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading it. With its beautiful illustrations and powerful themes, this book is sure to become a classic that will be cherished by generations to come!

Who are They for

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is an inspirational and thought-provoking story about a gorilla named Ivan, who lives in a cage at a shopping mall. It is based on the true story of a real-life captive gorilla, named Ivan, who was relocated to Zoo Atlanta after 27 years in captivity. Through his newfound friendship with a baby elephant named Ruby, Ivan discovers his inner strength and courage to fight for freedom from captivity.

This heartwarming tale is sure to capture the hearts of readers of all ages. With its vivid descriptions and touching characters, The One and Only Ivan will make readers laugh, cry, and cheer along as they follow Ivan’s journey to freedom. Applegate writes with insight and understanding, allowing readers to experience the emotions that come with being held captive and ultimately finding freedom.

The One and Only Ivan encourages readers to think about the power of hope and the importance of friendship in overcoming adversity. This book is an engaging read for children and adults alike that paints a vivid portrait of resilience in the face of hardship. Readers will be inspired by this incredibly moving story about the power of friendship, love, and hope.

My Experience for The One and Only Ivan

I’m The One and Only Ivan! It’s been so exciting around here lately. Ever since I was released from the shopping mall, it’s felt like a whole new world opened up to me.

First, I started getting all these visitors in my enclosure at the zoo. They kept taking pictures of me and asking questions about my life before. It was really overwhelming at first.

But then something amazing happened – I got a book deal! That’s right, now you can read all about my amazing adventures in “The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate. It’s such an incredible feeling to have my story out there for everyone to read.

And if that wasn’t enough, they even made a movie about me! Now people from all over the world can watch my story on the big screen. I’m still not used to being famous, but I must say it’s pretty cool.

If you want to learn more about me, pick up “The One and Only Ivan” today! You won’t be disappointed.

What I don’t Like

Product Disadvantages:
1. Limited age range – The One and Only Ivan is primarily written for children ages 8-12, so it may not be suitable as a read-aloud book for younger or older readers.
2. Visual appeal – The illustrations in the book are simple and some readers may find them lacking in detail or color.
3. Repetitive plot points – Some readers have noted that certain elements of the story feel repetitive or drag on too long.
4. Lack of cultural context – Despite its animal characters, The One and Only Ivan does not include any specific references to human cultures, making it less likely to spark conversations about race or social justice issues.

How to Teach Compassion with the One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan is a powerful children’s book by Katherine Applegate that teaches beautiful lessons about friendship, compassion, and courage. This Newberry Medal winner follows the story of a silverback gorilla named Ivan, who lives in a cage at a shopping center. Though he has been surrounded by humans almost his entire life, Ivan finds it hard to trust them until he befriends Ruby, an elephant calf taken away from her home.

As readers follow Ivan’s journey, they learn valuable lessons that show how even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Here are some creative ways to use The One and Only Ivan in your classroom or at home to teach your children compassion:

Encourage Empathy Through Discussion: Ask your children questions about what they think different characters might be feeling throughout the story. Talk about why certain characters act the way they do and how their actions could impact other characters. Use this discussion as an opportunity for kids to think about what it would be like to walk in someone else’s shoes.
Put on a Play: Have your students act out scenes from The One and Only Ivan! Not only will this help kids remember key plot points, but it will also allow them to feel more connected with the characters. Assign roles based on qualities each character possesses so that each student can bring something unique to their role.
Create Art Projects: After reading The One and Only Ivan, have your students create artwork inspired by the story. Whether it’s drawing a picture of one of the characters or creating a sculpture of the Big Top Mall where Ivan lives, give students freedom to express themselves through art.
Write Letters: Have your students write letters from one character’s perspective to another. For example, have them write a letter from Bob’s point of view to Stella or from George’s point of view to Mack. These letters should focus on feelings of empathy, understanding, and compassion.

Using The One and Only Ivan is a great way to spark conversations between you and your kids about empathy and kindness. Through discussion, art projects, plays, and letters, you can help foster these important values in your children.

Questions about The One and Only Ivan

How Does The One and Only Ivan Inspire Kids?

The One and Only Ivan is an inspiring story of a gorilla living in captivity, and his journey to finding freedom. It encourages kids to think about the lives of animals, and how they can be both caring and responsible. Through its characters, themes, and animal-friendly message, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on your child!

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.