The One and Only Ivan — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
Not found
Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
Get the full theme breakdown in the app
Detailed evidence, confidence ratings, and source citations for every theme.
Download for iOSExample theme card
Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Inspired by a true story, this is the beautifully written tale of how a mighty gorilla wins his freedom. A winning blend of humour and poignancy that will appeal to fans of Michael Morpurgo.
This #1 New York Times bestselling and Newbery Award-winning novel is coming to the big screen this summer, with a star-studded cast including Sam Rockwell, Angelina Jolie, Danny DeVito, Helen Mirren, Bryan Cranston, and more!
Ivan is an easy-going gorilla who has spent his life performing for the crowds at the Exit 8 shopping mall. He rarely misses life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly thinks about it at all. But everything changes when a baby elephant called Ruby arrives and Ivan realises he must find a new life for them both.
Told from Ivan's perspective, this is a stand-out novel with a pertinent message, ideal for readers of 9+.
Frequently asked questions
Is The One and Only Ivan appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book contains instances of violence, including the death of an animal due to lack of veterinary care and a scene where Ruby is threatened with an elephant hook. These elements are part of the narrative that addresses animal cruelty. No genuinely frightening content is present. The narrative addresses serious themes but does so in a manner suitable for children, avoiding elements that would cause fear or nightmares.
Does The One and Only Ivan have violence?
The book contains instances of violence, including the death of an animal due to lack of veterinary care and a scene where Ruby is threatened with an elephant hook. These elements are part of the narrative that addresses animal cruelty.
Does The One and Only Ivan have scary content?
No genuinely frightening content is present. The narrative addresses serious themes but does so in a manner suitable for children, avoiding elements that would cause fear or nightmares.
Does The One and Only Ivan have religious themes?
No religious content in the book itself. The search results mention the author and general reviews but do not indicate any religious themes, practices, or beliefs in the narrative.
Does The One and Only Ivan have racial/cultural content?
No explicit racial themes or discussions are present in the book. The search results do not indicate any content related to race or racism as a central theme.
Does The One and Only Ivan have profanity?
The book includes mild profanity in the form of Ivan mentioning that he sometimes flings dung at rude visitors. This is presented in a humorous context and is not strong language.
Does The One and Only Ivan have climate change?
While the search results mention climate change in relation to the sequel, 'The One and Only Ruby', it does not appear to be a theme in 'The One and Only Ivan'. The original book focuses on the story of Ivan and his experiences rather than climate issues.
Does The One and Only Ivan have sexual identity?
No sexual content is present in the book. The search results mention the term 'me-balls' used humorously by Ivan, but this does not constitute sexual content.
Does The One and Only Ivan have gender roles?
The book does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. It features animal characters and their experiences without focusing on human gender dynamics.
Does The One and Only Ivan have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are present in the book. The search results reference general discussions about LGBTQ+ representation but do not provide specific content from 'The One and Only Ivan'.
