“I am Ivan.”

From Katherine Applegate’s The One and Only Ivan.

Ivan is a silverback gorilla that has, through much patience on his part, learned to understand human speech; he performs each day at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade.  Mack is the owner and clown ringleader at Big Top Mall, and Ivan’s reason for being part of the show.  While Mack was kind and funny when Ivan was young, the falling business has left him angry and mean.  Ivan’s closest friends are fellow Big Top Mall residents Stella, the old circus elephant, and Bob, the stray dog.  While Ivan misses the life he left behind, Ivan has tried to forget his past so it doesn’t hurt.  Ivan also has a human friend with the janitor’s daughter, Julia, who gave Ivan his first crayon and piece of paper, which lead to Ivan’s love of art.  As the business struggles, Mack brings a baby elephant named Ruby to join the Big Top Mall.  The animals experience a wide range of emotions as Stella is angry that the little elephant was taken from her mother to come here and Ivan feels some jealousy with so much attention going to the baby; however when Stella makes Ivan promise to look out for the little elephant, he agrees and gives his task his best.  Ivan is desperate to keep his promise of keeping Ruby safe, but he knows he really can’t do it at the Big Top Mall, so Ivan comes up with a huge idea for a painting to help Ruby, but getting the humans to understand might be the hardest part of all.

This story is equal parts sad and sweet; Applegate does well to tell a difficult story without alienating the reader.  The inspiration for the Disney+ movie is enjoyable and memorable.  The One and Only Ivan is a quick, but impactful read for children of all ages.