Publishers Weekly - Audio
Hello, I am Ivan. I am a gorilla. It’s not as easy as it looks.” This is the introduction that readers receive to Ivan, who lives in confinement at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. But Ivan doesn’t mind living there. In fact, he doesn’t miss his previous life in the wild—until a young elephant named Ruby arrives and changes his outlook. Narrator Adam Grupper is gruff in his portrayal of Ivan, capturing the ape’s voice and unique perspective. Although there is no measurable shift in Grupper’s delivery to match the transformation of the book’s protagonist, his approach will delight young listeners. Ages 8–12. A HarperCollins hardcover. (Apr.)
Publishers Weekly
Inspired by a true story, Applegate (Home of the Brave) offers a haunting tale told from the perspective of Ivan, a silverback gorilla who has been confined to a small “domain” of concrete, metal, and glass for 27 years. Joining Ivan at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade are Stella, an aging elephant, and Bob, a feisty stray dog. While other animals perform, Ivan makes art, watches TV, and offers melancholy assessments of their situation. When Ruby, an inquisitive baby elephant, arrives and Stella dies from neglect, her dying wish is for Ivan to help Ruby escape. The brief chapters read like free-verse poetry, the extra line breaks between paragraphs driving home the contrast between Ivan and humans, who in his opinion, “waste words. They toss them like banana peels and leave them to rot.” As is to be expected, there’s significant anthropomorphism, but Applegate is largely successful in creating a protagonist who can understand humans yet feels like a gorilla. Although Ivan’s role in the events leading to their rescue reads as too human, readers will be left rethinking our relationship to animals. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
Narrator Adam Grupper is gruff in his portrayal of Ivan, capturing the ape’s voice and unique perspective....his approach will delight young listeners.” — Publishers Weekly
Gary D. Schmidt
The One and Only Ivan will break your heart—and then, against all odds, mend it again. In cheering for Ivan and his friends, we cheer for our own humanity and our own possibilities. Read this.
Kathi Appelt
Katherine Applegate’s beautiful, life-affirming story will soar directly from Ivan’s heart into your own. Read it out loud. Read it alone. Read it.
Shelf Awareness
Discover an animal hero that will take his place with other courageous and beloved animals such as Babe, Mrs. Frisby, Charlotte and Wilbur. Adults reading this aloud with children will find it just as rewarding.
The Horn Book
Important.
Patricia MacLachlan
A beautifully written, intelligent and brave book. You will never look at the relationship of humans and animals in the same way again. Quite simply, this story is life changing.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
★ “Animal-loving youngsters and their adults will find plenty of food for thought in Ivan’s extraordinary story.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
★ “Animal-loving youngsters and their adults will find plenty of food for thought in Ivan’s extraordinary story.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
★ “Animal-loving youngsters and their adults will find plenty of food for thought in Ivan’s extraordinary story.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Extraordinary.
The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books
Extraordinary.
APRIL 2013 - AudioFile
Based on a true event, this heartbreaking but hopeful story centers around Ivan, a silverback gorilla who has lived in a circus-themed mall for many years. Narrator Adam Grupper energetically introduces Ivan as the wise elder he is. In contrast is a precious baby elephant, Ruby, who sounds just like a curious and adorable youngster. Bob the dog vocally exhibits his world-weariness while Stella, a dying old elephant, elicits a promise from Ivan to care for Ruby. Grupper's accomplished narration adds poignancy to Applegate's beautiful writing. There’s a happy ending when young Julia befriends Ivan and helps him keep his promise. Kids of all ages will learn important truths and shed a few tears while listening to this simple story. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
How Ivan confronts his harrowing past yet stays true to his nature exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage. Living in a "domain" of glass, metal and cement at the Big Top Mall, Ivan sometimes forgets whether to act like a gorilla or a human--except Ivan does not think much of humans. He describes their behavior as frantic, whereas he is a peaceful artist. Fittingly, Ivan narrates his tale in short, image-rich sentences and acute, sometimes humorous, observations that are all the more heartbreaking for their simple delivery. His sorrow is palpable, but he stoically endures the cruelty of humans until Ruby the baby elephant is abused. In a pivotal scene, Ivan finally admits his domain is a cage, and, rather than let Ruby live and die in grim circumstances, he promises to save her. In order to express his plea in a painting, Ivan must bravely face buried memories of the lush jungle, his family and their brutal murder, which is recounted in a brief, powerful chapter sure to arouse readers' passions. In a compelling ending, the more challenging question Applegate poses is whether or not Ivan will remember what it was like to be a gorilla. Spot art captures poignant moments throughout. Utterly believable, this bittersweet story, complete with an author's note identifying the real Ivan, will inspire a new generation of advocates. (author's note) (Fiction. 8-12)
