Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he's seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.
Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home -- and his own art -- through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it's up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.
Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.
My Thoughts: The One and Only Ivan
is one of those books. One you know will garner all sorts of glowing reviews. One you know will really touch hearts. One you know will be on the shortlist for a Newbery. The poetic voice of Ivan the silverback gorilla is profound, authentic and, when needed, humorous. The fact that you are being told the tale
from a gorilla’s point of view is one of the most forceful elements of the writing, and the writing is excellent. So many adjectives flood my thoughts as I try to describe the beauty of this book - poignant, convincing, bittersweet. The One and Only Ivan is very simply a story that makes you wiser for having read it. Highly recommended for all elementary and middle classrooms and libraries.
----------------------- Teaching Resources & Ideas ------------------------
Genre: Fictional Animal Tale ... However, based upon true situation of a gorilla named Ivan now living at Zoo AtlantaAge: 9-12
Pages: 320
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date: January 17th, 2012
ISBN-13: 9780061992254
Themes: Friendship, Courage, Animal Rights, Artistic Aesthetics
Character Development: Perfect. No one is a "bad" guy even though the tale shows some poor choices on the part of humans
Plot Engagement: Slow to start, great once character investment occurs (fairly quickly)
Originality: Unique being a better word
Believability: Absolute suspension of disbelief for this reader
Thank You to Author Katherine Applegate for the advanced copy.
Advisory: Evolutionary theory is professed by Ivan, which I only mention here for parental knowledge. Censorship by parents exists so I defer to that right (even though I personally take issue with censorship of any kind). There is absolutely nothing in this book anti-religious or that children should not be exposed to in order to grow into critical-thinking adults.
BUY The One and Only Ivan HERE
Video of the real Ivan at Zoo Atlanta
Link: Here is an interview with the author at Publisher's Weekly.
Link: Here is a sneak peek at the story.
Link: Discussion Questions HERE.
Link: Here is a personal blog account of the real Ivan at Zoo Atlanta from Words from Willow.
Link: Here's Zoo Atlanta's site.
Link: Seattle Times article on Ivan finding love (great nonfiction pairing)
Link: Facts abut Gorillas on the Defenders of Wildlife website
Link: Great Apes Survival Partnership
Link: Discuss endangered animals and/or adopt a gorilla on one of these sites: Dian Fossey's Gorilla Fund International or the World Wildlife Federation
Idea: Study the gorilla Koko who can use sign language to communicate.
Idea: Look at personification from Ivan’s viewpoint, how he attributes gorilla behavior to humans and vice versa.
Idea: Read about, research, discuss any of the following: Silverback Gorillas, Koko the sign language gorilla or Dian Fossey. Just reading about Ivan sent me scrambling for more information on these subjects!
Idea: Research the difference between monkeys and apes.
-------------------- That's all folks! --------------------
