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The One and Only #4
One and Only Family
For more than a decade, readers have been enchanted by the modern classic The One and Only Ivan , a Newbery Award winner and a #1 New York Times bestseller, and by its bestselling sequels, The One and Only Bob and The One and Only Ruby . Powerhouse author Katherine Applegate invites readers back into Ivan’s world for one last adventure—his most exciting yet. Ivan has been happily living in a wildlife sanctuary, with his friend Ruby next door in the elephant enclosure, frequent visits from his canine friend Bob, and his mate Kinyani by his side. And in the happiest turn of all, Ivan and Kinyani have welcomed a set of twins to their family! Ivan loves being a papa, even though it can be hard sometimes. But as he navigates the joys and challenges of parenthood, he can’t help but recall his life before the glass walls of the mall circus, his own childhood in the jungle—and his own twin. In the tradition of timeless classics like Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little , the one and only Katherine Applegate has crafted a poignant, delightful, heartbreaking, unforgettable final foray into the world of Ivan, the world’s favorite silverback.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published May 7, 2024
354 people are currently reading
6132 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Applegate
280 books6,232 followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate has written many books for young readers, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal.
Katherine’s picture books include THE BUFFALO STORM, illustrated by Jan Ormerod (Clarion Books); THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF IVAN, THE SHOPPING MALL GORILLA, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books); SOMETIMES YOU FLY, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Clarion Books); and ODDER: AN OTTER’S STORY, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends).
She’s written or co-written three early chapter series for young readers: ROSCOE RILEY RULES, a seven-book series illustrated by Brian Biggs (HarperCollins); DOGGO AND PUPPER, a three-book series illustrated by Charlie Alder (Feiwel & Friends). With Gennifer Choldenko, she co-authored DOGTOWN and MOUSE AND HIS DOG, illustrated by Wallace West (Feiwel & Friends).
Books for middle-grade readers include HOME OF THE BRAVE (Feiwel & Friends); THE ONE AND ONLY series, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, THE ONE AND ONLY BOB, THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY, and THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY (HarperCollins); the ENDLING trilogy (HarperCollins); CRENSHAW (Feiwel & Friends); WISHTREE (Feiwel & Friends); WILLODEEN (Feiwel & Friends); ODDER (Feiwel & Friends); and the forthcoming POCKET BEAR (Feiwel & Friends).
With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote ANIMORPHS, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide. They also wrote two other series, REMNANTS and EVERWORLD, and a young adult novel, EVE AND ADAM (Feiwel & Friends.)
Katherine’s work has been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades including the Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, Best of the Year lists, and Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists.
Katherine lives in Nevada with her husband and assorted pets. She is represented by Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary and Mary Pender at WME.
Katherine’s picture books include THE BUFFALO STORM, illustrated by Jan Ormerod (Clarion Books); THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF IVAN, THE SHOPPING MALL GORILLA, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books); SOMETIMES YOU FLY, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Clarion Books); and ODDER: AN OTTER’S STORY, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends).
She’s written or co-written three early chapter series for young readers: ROSCOE RILEY RULES, a seven-book series illustrated by Brian Biggs (HarperCollins); DOGGO AND PUPPER, a three-book series illustrated by Charlie Alder (Feiwel & Friends). With Gennifer Choldenko, she co-authored DOGTOWN and MOUSE AND HIS DOG, illustrated by Wallace West (Feiwel & Friends).
Books for middle-grade readers include HOME OF THE BRAVE (Feiwel & Friends); THE ONE AND ONLY series, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, THE ONE AND ONLY BOB, THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY, and THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY (HarperCollins); the ENDLING trilogy (HarperCollins); CRENSHAW (Feiwel & Friends); WISHTREE (Feiwel & Friends); WILLODEEN (Feiwel & Friends); ODDER (Feiwel & Friends); and the forthcoming POCKET BEAR (Feiwel & Friends).
With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote ANIMORPHS, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide. They also wrote two other series, REMNANTS and EVERWORLD, and a young adult novel, EVE AND ADAM (Feiwel & Friends.)
Katherine’s work has been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades including the Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, Best of the Year lists, and Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists.
Katherine lives in Nevada with her husband and assorted pets. She is represented by Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary and Mary Pender at WME.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 708 reviews
June 5, 2024
I struggled a little with the rating because it was good, but it was written for parents. Kids will not (and mine did not) get it. He loved the first three books, but this one he gave up on halfway through because he wasn't interested in reading about Ivan learning to be a parent. Because it's honestly really relatable if you're a parent, and otherwise... not so much. Ivan learns some really good lessons that bring things back around satisfyingly, but also a lot of it is kind of boring.
4 stars from a parent's perspective and as closure to Ivan's story
2 stars from a kid's perspective
4 stars from a parent's perspective and as closure to Ivan's story
2 stars from a kid's perspective
May 8, 2024
Absolutely beautiful ending to the series. I loved reading from the point of view of Ivan again, but this time hearing him speak from a much happier place, physically and mentally.
December 5, 2024
This book was great! I loved it! I would rate it 4 ⭐️only because I read it wrong. I started reading the series a long time ago when I was much younger, and when I saw Katherine Applegate had written a final book to the series I just had to get it, even though I am much older and don’t read as younger of books. I read it way too fast and I didn’t soak in what I was reading and the nostalgia of reading a book in this series, so that’s why I would rate it 4⭐️. That was completely my fault. This book was really sweet and I would definitely recommend it to someone younger or interested in the series. I feel like it is made for younger kids in the way it was written, but the book was mostly written about Ivan learning to be a parent. I don’t know if younger kids can understand that or relate to that. The first three books in this series are great books! This one was good, but I didn’t really get into it as much and it was all just Ivan learning about being a parent, no big climax or inviting incident. Just, the babies were born, Ivan was protective and worried and his past story got out. Nothing big or crazy. Of course, the story was watered down for younger kids, but it was also confusing. This was still a good book though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2024
MY 3RD FAVORITE BOOK OF 2024!
The fourth and final entry in Applegate’s beloved “OAO” series reunites us with Ivan the silverback gorilla, who’s the main focus, and his friends Ruby and Bob. Inside the gorilla sanctuary he now calls home, Ivan and his mate are about to have twins and their birth will bring a lot of attention. As Ivan slowly adjusts to fatherhood with the help of his friends, he will also have to deal with struggles about memories involving his short life in the jungle and his past time living as aging mall attraction.
The conclusion to Ivan and Co.’s story couldn’t be more touching, heartwarming and bittersweet. One thing I loved is having Ivan being the heart of his group of friends and of this story just like the very first book. It’s never easy to see a story like this end, especially a story so amazing like this one. A (100%/Outstanding)
The fourth and final entry in Applegate’s beloved “OAO” series reunites us with Ivan the silverback gorilla, who’s the main focus, and his friends Ruby and Bob. Inside the gorilla sanctuary he now calls home, Ivan and his mate are about to have twins and their birth will bring a lot of attention. As Ivan slowly adjusts to fatherhood with the help of his friends, he will also have to deal with struggles about memories involving his short life in the jungle and his past time living as aging mall attraction.
The conclusion to Ivan and Co.’s story couldn’t be more touching, heartwarming and bittersweet. One thing I loved is having Ivan being the heart of his group of friends and of this story just like the very first book. It’s never easy to see a story like this end, especially a story so amazing like this one. A (100%/Outstanding)
July 13, 2024
Im not crying, you’re crying!
As always, great morals about fears and hopes.
Ivan is still haunted by his past while he navigates parenthood and leading his troop. ❤️
As always, great morals about fears and hopes.
Ivan is still haunted by his past while he navigates parenthood and leading his troop. ❤️
July 24, 2024
4.5, great ending to the series!
January 14, 2025
*4.75
When time tells a story, surprises are the one thing you can count on.
Oh man, these books!!
I wonder if everyone carries the weight of secret sadness with them. Perhaps if it weren't secret, it wouldn't be such a burden.
I'm half disappointed that this series has finally reached it end and half glad to have been here every step of the way. This is are some amazing middle-grade books, but they transcend that genre in many ways - especially with this book having such a focus on the terror and joy of parenthood!
These eclectic, loving family members are my comfort characters. Their bond, their protection for one another, their understanding - it's all so wonderful.
Perhaps babies hold onto fingers because they must, and perhaps that's all we need to know.
With the last two volumes in this series focusing on Bob and then Ruby, this one is a return to form, giving Ivan the center stage once again. He's about to become a dad, which means facing the shadows of his past. As he grapples with what to share and not share with his future children, he has to force himself not to infect them with the worry and anxiety that he clings to every day.
Stories, it seems to me, are living things. Once you set them free, they're like offspring. They have destinies of their own. They're no longer your responsibility. They belong to the world.
Growing up, hanging onto the past, facing the future - this book features all of this and more. I also loved the focus Ivan and the gang have on Stella, their earliest friend who didn't make it here with them.
And I catch her. I catch her like I always do.
I really need to watch the movie soon - I can't wait to see these guys in a new format.
And Bob, of course. Always and forever, Bob.
4.75/5 stars!
From the author: "That's why I believe books for young readers should always end on an optimistic note. Children, after all, are an unwavering source of hope for adults. The least we can do, it seems to me, is return the favor."
When time tells a story, surprises are the one thing you can count on.
Oh man, these books!!
I wonder if everyone carries the weight of secret sadness with them. Perhaps if it weren't secret, it wouldn't be such a burden.
I'm half disappointed that this series has finally reached it end and half glad to have been here every step of the way. This is are some amazing middle-grade books, but they transcend that genre in many ways - especially with this book having such a focus on the terror and joy of parenthood!
These eclectic, loving family members are my comfort characters. Their bond, their protection for one another, their understanding - it's all so wonderful.
Perhaps babies hold onto fingers because they must, and perhaps that's all we need to know.
With the last two volumes in this series focusing on Bob and then Ruby, this one is a return to form, giving Ivan the center stage once again. He's about to become a dad, which means facing the shadows of his past. As he grapples with what to share and not share with his future children, he has to force himself not to infect them with the worry and anxiety that he clings to every day.
Stories, it seems to me, are living things. Once you set them free, they're like offspring. They have destinies of their own. They're no longer your responsibility. They belong to the world.
Growing up, hanging onto the past, facing the future - this book features all of this and more. I also loved the focus Ivan and the gang have on Stella, their earliest friend who didn't make it here with them.
And I catch her. I catch her like I always do.
I really need to watch the movie soon - I can't wait to see these guys in a new format.
And Bob, of course. Always and forever, Bob.
4.75/5 stars!
From the author: "That's why I believe books for young readers should always end on an optimistic note. Children, after all, are an unwavering source of hope for adults. The least we can do, it seems to me, is return the favor."
July 5, 2024
This is a wonderful conclusion to a wonderful series. Ivan and Kinyani are expecting a baby, and Bob and Ruby are happy for the pair when they all meet at the zoo at the corner where the gorilla and elephant enclosures meet. Bob has some real-life experience to impart about a new life, while Ruby is dealing with a new baby elephant she and the other elephants are caring for.
Ivan remembers his past in the miserable circus, and his friend the gentle Stella, while waiting for his and Kinyani’s offspring to arrive.
There is a surprise: there are twins!
Katherine Applegate continues to deliver equal parts tragedy and sadness through Ivan’s memories of his long dead twin sister, humour in Bob’s irreverence and wisdom, and poignancy and joy in the serious and gentle Ivan’s wonder and protectiveness for his and Kinyani’s boisterous children, all while dealing with heavy subjects such as climate change, species extinction, poaching, and trauma with a light touch.
Ivan remembers his past in the miserable circus, and his friend the gentle Stella, while waiting for his and Kinyani’s offspring to arrive.
There is a surprise: there are twins!
Katherine Applegate continues to deliver equal parts tragedy and sadness through Ivan’s memories of his long dead twin sister, humour in Bob’s irreverence and wisdom, and poignancy and joy in the serious and gentle Ivan’s wonder and protectiveness for his and Kinyani’s boisterous children, all while dealing with heavy subjects such as climate change, species extinction, poaching, and trauma with a light touch.
July 1, 2024
This is a poignant, delightful, and heartbreaking final installment in the quartet that started with THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, the story of the world's favorite silverback gorilla. Ivan loves being a dad, even though it's hard. He navigates the joys and challenges of parenthood. Ivan can't help but think about his life in the mall and wonders about his own twin. The author touches on the themes of family and parenthood through the eyes of animal characters.
This book is a continuation of what has now become a four-book quartet. I particularly enjoyed the passage, "I laugh until my eye is well with tears. Once again, I'm reminded that it's possible to be happy and sad, worried and hopeful, confused and sure, all at the same time, especially when you love someone dearly."
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...
This book is a continuation of what has now become a four-book quartet. I particularly enjoyed the passage, "I laugh until my eye is well with tears. Once again, I'm reminded that it's possible to be happy and sad, worried and hopeful, confused and sure, all at the same time, especially when you love someone dearly."
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...
January 28, 2024
“I am Ivan. And I am a dad.”
🦍
Ivan gets to see Ruby and Bob as he continues to live his life in the wildlife sanctuary. He has his mate, Kinyani, and life is so much better than it used to be. When Ivan finds out he’s going to be a father, he immediately starts worrying about what kind of dad he’s going to be. When the twins are born, everything Ivan thought he knew is thrown at the window. It’s a terrifying, yet wondrous experience, but Ivan constantly wonders how much he should share with the twins about his past. In protecting them, he also not being honest. How will Ivan protect his kids but also prepare them for the world?
🦍
I’m so sad this masterful MG quartet by @kaaauthor is ending. I’ve been with Ivan since book 1 and am going to miss him and his extended family. This novel made me laugh and cry and was the perfect way to end this series. This title releases May 7. 5 ⭐️
CW: death (recounted), captivity, climate crisis, endangered animals, blood
🦍
Ivan gets to see Ruby and Bob as he continues to live his life in the wildlife sanctuary. He has his mate, Kinyani, and life is so much better than it used to be. When Ivan finds out he’s going to be a father, he immediately starts worrying about what kind of dad he’s going to be. When the twins are born, everything Ivan thought he knew is thrown at the window. It’s a terrifying, yet wondrous experience, but Ivan constantly wonders how much he should share with the twins about his past. In protecting them, he also not being honest. How will Ivan protect his kids but also prepare them for the world?
🦍
I’m so sad this masterful MG quartet by @kaaauthor is ending. I’ve been with Ivan since book 1 and am going to miss him and his extended family. This novel made me laugh and cry and was the perfect way to end this series. This title releases May 7. 5 ⭐️
CW: death (recounted), captivity, climate crisis, endangered animals, blood
July 28, 2024
I've loved 3/4 books in this series by Applegate and this one wrapped up all of the emotions and plot lines for Ivan and his friends. I still maintain that these books are not geared for kids--the depth of understanding and maturity you need to understand and relate to the emotions being shown truly is far above kids' EQ for the target audience.
I still remember reading the first book to my daughter when she was about 8/9 and she got so bored with it because the story relies heavily on emotion (like Inside Out without the visuals). However, as an adult, I deeply appreciate and love the character arcs that Applegate explored in these books.
I still remember reading the first book to my daughter when she was about 8/9 and she got so bored with it because the story relies heavily on emotion (like Inside Out without the visuals). However, as an adult, I deeply appreciate and love the character arcs that Applegate explored in these books.
June 11, 2024
Such a beautiful ending to this series! I wish it didn't have to end but since it is, I'm glad Applegate did so the way she did. I was so great reading from Ivan's point of view again, but this time from a more positive, happier place.
Synoposis: In the final book in this quartet, readers are back in Ivan's world. He has his mate Kinyani by his side, Ruby right next door in the elephant enclosure, and his canine friend Bob, he is read to take on this adventure - being a DAD! Kinyani and Ivan welcome twins and as Ivan juggles the joys and challenges of parenthood, Ivan thinks back to his whole life - in the wild, with Mack, in the mall, and in the zoo. How does he raise his twins and be the silverback leader he has to be within the human world of the zoo?
It is so beautiful to see Ivan become a father. We see him grapple with his past and the difficult things he went through. Because of this, he also has to figure out how much he wants to tell the twins about the world outside the zoo. Honestly this whole book was just so wholesome. The gang is back together and they are all helping Ivan as he enters fatherhood.
There is a lot of talk of family in this book too. Not just Ivan, Kinyani and the twins but also the idea of Ivan's "found family." Often times, your family is much bigger than it may seem because of friends who have become as important to you as family. Ivan would do anything to protect his twins but he would do the same for Bob and Ruby too. Their bond is just the absolute cutest.
Ivan had a tough story and a lot of things happen in his life. It was nice to see Ivan get a happy ending, surrounded by love and family. Everyone has their own story and it is up to you how much of that story the world gets to know. And in this book, Ivan's story has truly transformed and come around full circle. Go and read this book so you too can enjoy such a heartwarming and beautiful story!
Synoposis: In the final book in this quartet, readers are back in Ivan's world. He has his mate Kinyani by his side, Ruby right next door in the elephant enclosure, and his canine friend Bob, he is read to take on this adventure - being a DAD! Kinyani and Ivan welcome twins and as Ivan juggles the joys and challenges of parenthood, Ivan thinks back to his whole life - in the wild, with Mack, in the mall, and in the zoo. How does he raise his twins and be the silverback leader he has to be within the human world of the zoo?
It is so beautiful to see Ivan become a father. We see him grapple with his past and the difficult things he went through. Because of this, he also has to figure out how much he wants to tell the twins about the world outside the zoo. Honestly this whole book was just so wholesome. The gang is back together and they are all helping Ivan as he enters fatherhood.
There is a lot of talk of family in this book too. Not just Ivan, Kinyani and the twins but also the idea of Ivan's "found family." Often times, your family is much bigger than it may seem because of friends who have become as important to you as family. Ivan would do anything to protect his twins but he would do the same for Bob and Ruby too. Their bond is just the absolute cutest.
Ivan had a tough story and a lot of things happen in his life. It was nice to see Ivan get a happy ending, surrounded by love and family. Everyone has their own story and it is up to you how much of that story the world gets to know. And in this book, Ivan's story has truly transformed and come around full circle. Go and read this book so you too can enjoy such a heartwarming and beautiful story!
May 17, 2024
this was such a sweet end to this series 💗 i loved seeing ivan become a father and seeing him grapple with his past and the difficult things he has been through. i also loved the dynamics of ivan’s relationship with kinyani and his friendship with bob, ruby and the other gorillas. these books are so wholesome yet heartbreaking at the same time. it is incredibly sad to think about the terrible things that animals in the wild go through, but it is also an important topic! i love that these books shed light on something that is difficult while maintaining a hopeful atmosphere 💗
June 1, 2025
My son picked this up at the library, and as he typically does, he picked the last book of a series. 😂 But it's ok, we were able to follow along with the storyline fine. The kids didn't love this one though. I actually would read them every couple pages or when I came across something I thought they'd like. At one point, my son said, "the twins need to shut up".
May 29, 2024
3.5
A great light and fluffy book with an easygoing plot and a thoughtful ending. The characters were very heartfelt, and gave good messages, which I enjoyed.
A great light and fluffy book with an easygoing plot and a thoughtful ending. The characters were very heartfelt, and gave good messages, which I enjoyed.
June 7, 2024
I love how surprising this series can be with its simplicity but deep characters.
June 10, 2024
One of the best young reader series I have read. Katherine is an amazing author. I am 70 years old and take time out of reading my normal genre to read books like this because they have such great lessons for all.
October 4, 2024
The final chapter of this iconic tale. Like any good story it has to come to an end. Unfortunately this tale was pretty plain compared to the others, but it ended on a happy note.
December 8, 2024
This really is a wonderful series!
January 31, 2025
Love this whole series! I read it with my kids and they loved it. The storyline and the characters were great. Such a cute book.
July 22, 2024
A nice conclusion to the series. Although it could have gone on forever, Applegate wanted to bring the "One and Only" series to an end in order to focus on other stories for kids. [Thanks to Boswell Books in Milwaukee, I was able to zoom in last fall on a school visit with Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko where this was mentioned.]
June 8, 2024
A beautiful ending to an affecting story. This series' books have all been instant classics.
March 5, 2025
G hit the 5 star review button. But, with that said, I actually really enjoyed this book. It was nice to revisit Ivan’s story again and hear a “parent-centered” perspective. There were some sweet lines, and it provided a nice closure to the four part series.
August 13, 2024
Such a great conclusion to this series! I had tears in my eyes more than once.
June 3, 2024
The perfect ending. Never would have expected the most relatable book I’ve read in years to be about a gorilla, but here we are. The feelings of pregnancy and parenthood are so perfectly described here by Ivan and Kinyani. Flew through it in just a couple of hours, crying through half of it as I thought of my own kids and journey as a mom.
February 24, 2025
I thought this book was good and I love this series this whole story is about how Ivan has kids and takes care of them
August 15, 2025
Beim vierten und letzten Band landen wir wieder bei Ivan - und seiner neuen Familie. Während der Gorilla in Band 1 noch in einem kleinen Käfig festsaß, lebt er mittlerweile in einem großen Gehege im Zoo, nebenan die kleine Ruby mit ihrer Herde und natürlich kommt Bob regelmäßig zu Besuch.
Ivan wird jetzt Papa und mit Kinyani als Mama geben sie ein wundervolles Elternpaar ab.
Hier lernen wir auch, wie das ganze im Zoo abläuft. Kinyani wurde in Gefangenschaft geboren und hat somit keinerlei Erfahrung als "frei lebender Gorilla", vieles wird hier von den Menschen überwacht und geregelt. Ivan selbst darf nach der Geburt nicht sofort zu den Kleinen, da die Menschen vorsichtig sind weil sie nicht abschätzen können, wie er reagieren wird.
Natürlich kann er es kaum erwarten seine Familie endlich um sich zu haben und sie zu beschützen. Denn das ist sein Job.
Ivan macht sich viele Gedanken darüber und die Autorin schafft es wieder, uns die Tiere näher zu bringen, und darüber nachzudenken, was wir tun - und ja, ihnen antun. Ich hatte am Ende Tränen in den Augen, weil es so berührend ist und so traurig, aber doch noch eine Hoffnung mitschwingt. Irgendwie.
Denn natürlich geht es den Tieren im Zoo besser als in einem Zirkus oder in einem Käfig mit ein paar Quadratmetern, aber diesen Tieren sollte genug Raum gegeben werden, um in Freiheit zu leben.
Es war ein ganz besonderer Abschluss mit Ivan und seiner neuen Familie, und die ganze Reihe hat einen besonderen Platz in meinem Leseherz <3
ღღღღღღღღღღღღღღღღ
Es lohnt sich, jeweils auch das Nachwort der Autorin zu lesen. Man spürt hier ihre Liebe zur Natur, zu den Tieren und dass alle einen geschützten (freien) Raum brauchen, um leben zu können.
Die wunderschönen Zeichnungen sind von Patricia Castelao. Sie fängt gekonnt die Szenen ein, die gerade in der Geschichte vorkommen und zeigen diese Momente auf eine witzige und berührende Weise!
Ivan wird jetzt Papa und mit Kinyani als Mama geben sie ein wundervolles Elternpaar ab.
Hier lernen wir auch, wie das ganze im Zoo abläuft. Kinyani wurde in Gefangenschaft geboren und hat somit keinerlei Erfahrung als "frei lebender Gorilla", vieles wird hier von den Menschen überwacht und geregelt. Ivan selbst darf nach der Geburt nicht sofort zu den Kleinen, da die Menschen vorsichtig sind weil sie nicht abschätzen können, wie er reagieren wird.
Natürlich kann er es kaum erwarten seine Familie endlich um sich zu haben und sie zu beschützen. Denn das ist sein Job.
Ivan macht sich viele Gedanken darüber und die Autorin schafft es wieder, uns die Tiere näher zu bringen, und darüber nachzudenken, was wir tun - und ja, ihnen antun. Ich hatte am Ende Tränen in den Augen, weil es so berührend ist und so traurig, aber doch noch eine Hoffnung mitschwingt. Irgendwie.
Denn natürlich geht es den Tieren im Zoo besser als in einem Zirkus oder in einem Käfig mit ein paar Quadratmetern, aber diesen Tieren sollte genug Raum gegeben werden, um in Freiheit zu leben.
Es war ein ganz besonderer Abschluss mit Ivan und seiner neuen Familie, und die ganze Reihe hat einen besonderen Platz in meinem Leseherz <3
ღღღღღღღღღღღღღღღღ
Es lohnt sich, jeweils auch das Nachwort der Autorin zu lesen. Man spürt hier ihre Liebe zur Natur, zu den Tieren und dass alle einen geschützten (freien) Raum brauchen, um leben zu können.
Die wunderschönen Zeichnungen sind von Patricia Castelao. Sie fängt gekonnt die Szenen ein, die gerade in der Geschichte vorkommen und zeigen diese Momente auf eine witzige und berührende Weise!
June 14, 2024
Magnificent end to a heartwarming quartet of books designed for children, middle grade readers and, of course, for those who started with One and Only Ivan in 2012. Each of the four books has evoked a particular emotion from me-In “Ivan,” there was always a sense of sadness and yearning for home, One and Only Bob made me laugh and feel thankful for my forever friends, and Ruby left me grieving for the senseless slaughter and abuse of animals. In One and Only Family, there is joy in family, and not just in those we are biologically connected to. But there is also some fear of the unknown as Ivan and Kinyani bring twins into the gorilla enclosure as well as Ivan’s continued longing for a return to the wild. Bob continues to visit his friends Ivan and Ruby at The Park and brings humor and Ruby keeps reminding Ivan about all that is good in the life he has now. Raji and Tuma are footloose, fun and prompt Ivan to remember his twin sister, Tag, to reminisce about his troop in Africa and struggle with how much to tell his children. In the end, all the key players from the start of it all are content with their current place in the world and view the twins feeling hopeful about the future.
One and Only Family is a great end to a wonderful story as well as a means to encourage readers that there is always family and always hope. Text of all four books in the series is free of profanity, sexual content and the violence is limited to that of nature and man against animal, but not described in a graphic or gory manner. A must have series for libraries serving grades 3-7.
A few pearls of wisdom from the book I hope readers latch onto:
*(Ivan) “I wonder if everyone carries the weight of secret sadness with them. Perhaps if it weren’t secret, it wouldn’t be such a burden.”
*(Ivan) “It’s been a long time now since [Stella] passed away. You’d think the missing would end. But it doesn’t. It just softens around the edges.”
Note: This series can be read out of order as the author includes some embedded “review” of previous works, but each one is so unique and reveals so much about the key players that it is highly recommended to read them in order.
One and Only Family is a great end to a wonderful story as well as a means to encourage readers that there is always family and always hope. Text of all four books in the series is free of profanity, sexual content and the violence is limited to that of nature and man against animal, but not described in a graphic or gory manner. A must have series for libraries serving grades 3-7.
A few pearls of wisdom from the book I hope readers latch onto:
*(Ivan) “I wonder if everyone carries the weight of secret sadness with them. Perhaps if it weren’t secret, it wouldn’t be such a burden.”
*(Ivan) “It’s been a long time now since [Stella] passed away. You’d think the missing would end. But it doesn’t. It just softens around the edges.”
Note: This series can be read out of order as the author includes some embedded “review” of previous works, but each one is so unique and reveals so much about the key players that it is highly recommended to read them in order.
June 19, 2024
I love this series so much!!
I’ve been reading this series since I was in 4th grade so it’s always a little bit emotional for me to return to these books when they come out because this series and characters have been with me for over 10 years of my life.
Ivan started this series, and I think it’s so profound that he finishes it. I love Bob and Ruby as well, but Ivan was the perfect narrator for this conclusion and I love the trajectory of this story and what it means for his future.
There’s so many meaningful lessons to be found in the pages of this series, and I love this finale as it really brings each one full circle and to a wonderful close.
I will always love this series and I am so lucky to have had it in my life all these years!! 💚💛💙💜
I’ve been reading this series since I was in 4th grade so it’s always a little bit emotional for me to return to these books when they come out because this series and characters have been with me for over 10 years of my life.
Ivan started this series, and I think it’s so profound that he finishes it. I love Bob and Ruby as well, but Ivan was the perfect narrator for this conclusion and I love the trajectory of this story and what it means for his future.
There’s so many meaningful lessons to be found in the pages of this series, and I love this finale as it really brings each one full circle and to a wonderful close.
I will always love this series and I am so lucky to have had it in my life all these years!! 💚💛💙💜
August 9, 2024
This book was not written for children. This book was written for every mom, grandmother, teacher, or any other adult who read the first book about Ivan all those years ago. The One and Only Ivan has been a staple in our homeschool journey when my children were young, but even more so, it has been a comfortable read for me. I have always grabbed a handful of books when I do any vacation. They are, for the most part, children's books that I can read in less than an hour. Ivan has been on pretty much every vacation with me for almost ten years. This is a satisfying end to the series. I am so glad I found Ivan all those years ago while looking for Newbery award winners.
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