The One and Only Ivan

ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- I don’t normally bother reading award winners after they’ve been honoured, but I do make an exception for Newbery winners. I will also admit to bias when it came to Katherine Applegate, because she and her husband were responsible for the Animorph series ages ago. So it was with some interest, and a little trepidation, that I read The One and Only Ivan and I have to admit that I should not have let my prejudices get in the way of this lovely book! Ivan is a silverback gorilla, who has lived in his domain for 9855 days. By any other name, his domain is a cage, in a struggling and under-resourced shopping mall circus. His best friends are Bob the dog of unknown heritage, and Stella the elephant. When a new elephant, a baby, joins the menagerie, Ivan makes a promise to keep her safe – something that increasingly looks impossible… Told in Ivan’s calm voice, in small and thoughtful chapters, this is a charming and heart-warming story of friendship and freedom. Ages 10 and up. Lindy

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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. 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 for readers of 9+.