The One and Only Ivan

Applegate, Katherine

ISBN 10: 0606354816 ISBN 13: 9780606354813

Publisher: Turtleback Books, 2015

Synopsis

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated novel is told from the point of view of Ivan himself. Having spent twenty-seven years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes and he decides that he must find her a better life.

About this title

From the Author

When I started to write about the grim facts of the real Ivan's solitary existence, a new tale slowly began to take shape.  At least on the page, where anything is possible, I wanted to give Ivan (even while captive behind the walls of his tiny cage) a voice of his own and a story to tell. For more about the book, visit theoneandonlyivan.com.

From the Back Cover

Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living in a shopping mall, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.

Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he's seen, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting.

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.

Edition details

• Publisher: Turtleback Books
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0606354816
• ISBN 13: 9780606354813
• Binding: Library Binding
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 336