Customer Reviews

The One and Only Ivan: My Story

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was hesitant to chose this book thinking an animal book would be too silly or something . . . but Applegate's Home of the Brave is one of my favorite books ever so I decided to take a chance. And I am SO GLAD I DID. This book was wonderful--heartbreakingly wonderful. I just loved every character--both animal and human. Ivan the artistic gorilla, Stella the stoic mother elephant, Bob the tough on the outside but not so tough on the inside dog, and of course Ruby the baby elephant who just wants to be loved. And the humans: George the sympathetic caretaker and his daughter Julie, a bit like Fern in Charlotte's web because she can almost understand Ivan--or at least understand his art. Every character was real--even Mack the owner of the menagerie, though we hate what he's doing, there is more too him than just badness. The situation was just so sad but so well done--the minute I finished the book, I immediately passed it on to my daughter . . . maybe not the best idea to give it to her at bedtime though because I could not get her to turn out her light, she was so immediately drawn into the book. I highly recommend this moving book which teaches compassion towards animals.

I think I was hoping to be totally amazed by the fact a gorilla was telling the story, but other than giving the book a different view point from the start, which I'm sure many younger readers will love, I was not nearly as enchanted by it. I did like Ivan's ability to tell things straight and be totally serious about it (because who else but a gorilla would tell you what finger paint tastes like?).
The book has a good, if not a bit used storyline, but it works from the differing perspective of Ivan. Applegate obviously knows her audience and that shows at times, but even that cannot keep the book from falling totally into the oblivion of being a 'kids' book just for kids.
The inclusion of human characters with their own intriguing (if not fully fleshed out) stories is a nice touch that helps balance the starkness of Ivan's narrative. So, great for younger readers as there's nothing particularly objectionable and good for parents who will find the book quite read-aloudable. I enjoyed it, but I was not completely blown away by the story or the writing or the characterization. Clever perspective and storytelling, but not to the point of perfection or my own ability to totally suspend disbelief. Well worth a go, though.

Not since Charlotte wove "SOME PIG" into her web have animal friends tried so hard to save each other. Ivan, a gorilla who lives in a sad animal show in an aging mall tells the story of his long and lonely days with four-legged friends Stella and Bob and Ruby. Many paragraphs consist of one or two sentences, and few chapters run more than three pages, making this a fast read for 'tweens. (These short narrative bursts might well be how a gorilla thinks!) The story itself is tender and sometimes sad. Applegate doesn't skirt the details of animals captured in the jungle, but she tempers these details with humor and the love of humans Julie and George. Even Mack, though motivated by profit, seems to have a heart buried within. I see this as a story read with an adult nearby, so that there is a chance to discuss some of the harsher moments, and smile together at Ivan's heroic efforts to find Ruby a better home. Be sure to read the author's note at the end, where she tells which parts of the story are based on actual occurences.

I liked the story. It was sweet and sentimental. A very touching story of a gorilla who saves a baby elephant. The set up was clever. An entire story told by a gorilla narrator. Very smart thinking there. However, something was missing in the actual execution. It just felt choppy and incomplete. It didn't feel genuine. There was also a large portion of the book that was just chatter, having little to do with the story. (The book also contains a glossary, which is completely overkill, since each term in the glossary is defined as it is used. A cast of characters would have been more appropriate, or a map of the mall.) The beginning was very slow moving, which is never a good thing in a children's book. Once it got to the actual story (about 68 pages in) the story moves you through the choppiness and sometimes meaningless chatter.

This book makes a much better read aloud book than a read it yourself book. Read aloud, the choppiness doesn't seem so apparent and the slow moving story can be pressed through.

If you love animals and want to read a book that will touch your heart, then this is the book for you. Ivan is a silverback gorilla, stuck in a mall animal theme park and losing hope. His only friends are Stella, an aging elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. The custodian's daughter, Julia, takes pity on him and gives him crayons. Ivan discovers that he has an artist's eye, which he uses to dream about the world outside the mall. When a recent addition of a baby elephant, changes Ivan's ideas about living in captivity, he takes action to save her. This novel uses a first person narrative about a gorilla in captivity, loosely based on an actual event, and builds a story about compassion, empathy and standing up for your principles. With some tears at the beginning, but an ending to cheer for, the author delivers a new classic that will enchant generations.

I have never read any "animal" books except picture books. And I never thought I wanted to until I read a review of this book on Sal's Fiction Addiction [...]. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing was beautiful. The plot was beautifully executed. And the characters, even though they were mostly animals, were fully developed. It is one of those stories that you just don't want to end. Bravo for Ivan!

I almost missed the joy of reading The One and Only Ivan because I thought that it was only for young readers, ages 8 to 12. Not so, this 54 year-old loved this book. The story was inspired by Ivan, a silver back gorilla who was raised by humans, and then sold when he became too large to keep in a home. For 27 years he lived in a cage in a shopping mall until public pressure ultimately won him a home among his own kind in a zoo. But this not a story of despair, it is about love and the power of one individual to make monumental changes. Katherine Applegate's character Ivan was resigned to his sad fate, whiling away his days thinking about art and painting pictures on scraps of paper. That is until a baby elephant named Ruby arrives. He soon realizes he must do something to save her from a lifetime in captivity. Using art as his only tool, he creates a new and better reality for her, and unwittingly for himself too. Readers of any age will enjoy this tale and have much to learn from Ivan.

Ivan is a gorilla, a Silverback, a gorilla that is meant to protect and defend. He lives a lonely life in a `domain' in Big Top Shopping Mall and Video Arcade off exit 8. He is an artist, and his work is sold in the gift shop. He watches TV and entertains those who come to see him. He has been doing this in his `domain' for nine thousand, eight hundred, and fifty-five days. When his friend, Stella, an elephant lies dying, he makes a promise to her that seems impossible to keep. He finds a creative and moving way to keep his promise to his friend.

Ivan observes that humans talk too much. This tender story is narrated by Ivan. Therefore, it is succinct and concise. There are just enough words to get the point across without "wasting words", as Ivan says humans do. This style adds to the innocence and tenderness of this story. The lack of wordiness certainly does not hinder character development. Each character is affectionately developed and realistically fleshed out in perfect personification.

The simple illustrations are poignant and beautiful in their minimalism. They provide additional impact for this beautiful tale.

This is a very valuable story for children. It helps them to learn that all life is sacred, whether it is that of an animal or a person. And for the adult, it is a wonderfully tender reminder of the sacredness of all things and the importance of the quality of life for all. I love this beautiful story inspired by a beautiful true one!

The story "The one and only Ivan" has everything. It is moving and suspenseful. The characters are thoughtful and three dimensional, and the book is written in a way that captures the readers attention from the first page. It is meant to be a book for children but can be enjoyed by all ages. Oddly, this book was reminiscent of the book "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein to me.

Ivan is a gorilla that lives in a shopping mall that does not seem to miss living in the wild. Ivan is the main character and he narrates the book. Stella, the elephant, Bob the stray dog, and Ruby a baby elephant are the other main animal characters. The human characters are Mack, who purchased Ivan as a baby, George, a janitor, and Julia, his daughter who likes to draw pictures of the animals.

On the surface it is a story of Ivan and how he relates to his current environment in a Exit 8 Big top mall. One of his new animal friends, Ruby, comes from a circus and remembers her family. The questions arises but is never directly asked: Is a zoo better than a circus? Or are they equally inhumane toward animals, keeping them in captivity when they should be in the wild? Peeling back this outer layer this book could be seen as a book that concerns itself with human cruelty toward animals. My children enjoyed the discussions this book caused in my husband and myself, and the problems presented in the book by animals in captivity.

The book is a quick read due to Applegate's writing style. It is a good book for children who love animals, and will provode discussion in them over the plight of animals in captivity.

Who would ever think that a sad tale of a gorilla living life in a dirty mall would inspire such a great story? Ivan, is a silverback gorilla who lives at The Big Top Mall,near exit 8. Ivan did not realize how maudlin his existence was until a friend was denied medical attention. A new animal comes to live with them and that animal is not treated well. Ivan is not going to stand for it! Ivan is lucky in that he has friends to help him. Bob, a dog who came from nowhere, comes at night and sleeps on Ivan's belly, Julia, a real human, gives him paper and crayons, and her friendship. Ivan dreams of a better life for all. With his paper and crayons he helps to make his dreams come true.

This is a book of friendship and how to dig deep to make changes in your life. It may bring tears to your eyes and to the children who read this tender story. The author's words are drawn from a true life story and told with such elegance and style. A lesson to be learned by all is how we treat our dear friends, our animals,and how they will help us make a better life for ourselves.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 01-19-12

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