‘The One and Only Ivan’ by Katherine Applegate
In the first chapter, ‘Hello’, Ivan introduces himself to the reader in 14 words: ‘I am Ivan. I am a Gorilla. It’s not as easy as it looks.’
From here we are invited into the world of Ivan, a gorilla who has lived most of his life in a cage in a shopping mall alongside a former circus elephant, Stella, and a stray dog, Bob, who has no interest in being anybody’s pet. Ivan is a kind and caring silverback who spends his days painting pictures that are sold in a mall shop for $25.
Ivan’s perspective is unique and memorable, a mixture of innocence and resignation towards his existence in captivity. The narrative follows Ivan as he —having lived in his ‘domain’ for ‘nine-thousand eight hundred and fifty-five days’ —starts to realise that there may be a place for him beyond the mall where he can truly be the silverback he was born to be in the jungle. Motivated by a promise to his dying friend Ivan must find the courage to become a hero.
Blending humour and poignancy, Katherine Applegate has crafted a narrative voice that is both heartbreaking and striking; using brief, vignette-like chapters that might be short in words, but are rich in imagery and evoke big feelings. Ivan’s simple, curious, and often naive observations of humans will open up rich conversations about the treatment of animals in captivity, particularly for entertainment, and what it means to be humane and kind.
The One and Only Ivan offers opportunities for considering ethical and moral dilemmas around our treatment of animals, alongside the exploration of themes of isolation, memory, friendship, and courage. Its examination of how we must understand who we are and where we came from in order to become who we truly are prompts deep thinking and questions about the connection between environment and our identity. But what really stuck with us was Ivan and the empathy we felt for him and the other animals who, despite their traumatic experiences, are kind and supportive of each other (ironically displaying positive qualities of humanity in their inhumane worlds).
The One and Only Ivan is a piece of fiction that was inspired by a true gorilla named Ivan who spent 27 years of his life in a cage at a circus-themed mall in America. It is now also a film on Disney+.
Suitable for:
Ages 10-14
Inspires thinking about:
Treatment of animals
Courage
Identity
Memories and experiences
Isolation
Kindness
Belonging
Different perspectives
Useful for exploring:
Representation of social issues
Imagery-rich language
Unique or alternative perspectives
Characterisation
Distinct storytelling
Ethical dilemmas
Why we recommend it:
Endearing and captivating characters
Powerful passages of writing
Offers opportunities for exploring ethical and moral dilemmas
Memorable and unique narrative voice
Evokes empathy
