The One and Only Ivan — Content Guide for Parents
Found in this book
- ViolenceSupporting
- Scary contentSupporting
Not found
- Religion
- Race & culture
- Profanity
- Climate
- Sexual content
- Gender roles
- Gender & orientation
Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Summaries and source quotes for every theme.
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Religion
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, 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 and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.
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.
Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.
Frequently asked questions
Is The One and Only Ivan appropriate for a 7-year-old?
Ivan's gorilla family is killed when he is captured (recalled in a short chapter), and baby elephant Ruby is abused and threatened with an elephant hook. Ivan and Ruby remember their families being killed during their capture, a friendly elephant dies of an untreated injury, and Ruby is mistreated, though none of it is described in graphic detail.
Does The One and Only Ivan have violence?
Found (Supporting): Ivan's gorilla family is killed when he is captured (recalled in a short chapter), and baby elephant Ruby is abused and threatened with an elephant hook.
Does The One and Only Ivan have scary content?
Found (Supporting): Ivan and Ruby remember their families being killed during their capture, a friendly elephant dies of an untreated injury, and Ruby is mistreated, though none of it is described in graphic detail.
Does The One and Only Ivan have religion?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does The One and Only Ivan have race & culture?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does The One and Only Ivan have profanity?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does The One and Only Ivan have climate?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does The One and Only Ivan have sexual content?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does The One and Only Ivan have gender roles?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does The One and Only Ivan have gender & orientation?
Not found in the sources we checked.
