The One and Only Family by Katherine Applegate

The 'voice' of Ivan as lingered with me for over 12 years since I first read The One and Only Ivan. I remember how shocked I was to discover that this story was based on a true story of a young gorilla captured in Africa, taken to America and eventually kept in a shopping mall as a curiosity.

By now Ivan has been living in a wildlife sanctuary although at the beginning of the book the only gorillas are Ivan and mate Kinyani. The other members of the troop will return but for now they have been moved while the gorilla enclosure is renovated. Kinyani seems to be putting on weight. Then their keepers give Kinyani and Ivan some toy dolls. Have you guessed - yes Ivan is about to become a dad. And if you have read the series you will know Ivan himself was a twin. Sadly his sister Tag died when the pair were first bought to the US but when this part of the story is mentioned in as a recap I was certain twins were on their way.

The aspect of this book that I truly appreciated is the way Katherine Applegate is able to, in just a few words, help the reader recall parts of the plot from the previous books. The School Library Journal reviewer agrees. 

Here are some text quotes to remind you of the way Katherine Applegate tells these stories:

"There was a time when I never dreamed I'd grow up to be a father. There was a time when I never dreamed I'd grow up to be a silverback. There was a time when I never dreamed I'd grow up at all. But the years passed and here I am. When time tells a story, surprises are the one thing you can count on."

"Though I was born in the wild, I've spent most of my life in the company of humans. The older I get the more I realise how much this has affected me. I am a gorilla, yes. But I am also something more. Or perhaps I am something less. ... But I spent almost three decades without seeing another gorilla. I lacked an instruction manual for how to be me."

"It's a baby. It's an infant gorilla. It's a son. It's my son. I let out a noise. I don't know quite what it is or what it means, but it feels like it's coming from somewhere deep inside me. ... I fall back on my rump. I stop breathing. Please, don't let me pass out. Kinyani nods, as if to say, surprise. There in the vet's arms is a second baby gorilla. A girl. Squirming and skinny and beautiful."

This newest book does not disappoint. I read the whole story in one sitting (254 pages). 

"A wonderful farewell tour for these endearing characters and the themes that they have come to embody so well: adversity, resilience, and hope." — Horn Book Magazine

This is a satisfying send off, and readers will want to reread the whole series to share the laughs and the tears surrounding this memorable band of buddies one more time. A must-read celebration of family, natural and found.  Booklist

The One and Only Family is the fourth and final book in the series that began with The One and Only Ivan winner of the Newbery Medal. The One and Only Ivan (2012); The One and Only Bob (2020); The One and Only Ruby (2023); The One and Only Family (2024). I do have to say I really prefer the original US covers.

The One and Only Ivan

When I wrote about this book I said: Books should make us feel things. Being sad is a real emotion and not one we should shy away from or avoid.  Ivan is a hero in the true sense of the word. 

He has wise words to share. At times this book feels like a verse novel.

Ivan

The One and Only Bob

The One and Only Ruby

When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle

All over Britain children are being evacuated to rural towns but not Joseph. His grandmother sends him to London to live with Mrs Farrelly. Mrs F comes from a family that owned and ran a zoo. Now that Hitler is sending bombs every night most of the zoo animals have either been sent away or sadly destroyed. The only animals still needing care are a couple of camels, some birds, two wolves and an old silverback gorilla named Adonis. 

Joseph feels rejected by everyone. His grandmother has sent him away.  His mother left when he was just five. His father has joined the army. School is hell. Joseph is regularly bullied and he simply cannot learn to read.  The words dance around on the page. 

Life in London takes on a new pattern. School is worse than ever but after school Joseph and a young orphan girl Syd help care for the remaining zoo animals cleaning their cages and scrounging food. Each evening when the bomb raid siren sounds, Mrs F heads to her zoo. Joseph is so distressed to discover she goes there to shoot Adonis. At first Adonis terrifies Joseph but over the weeks he comes to form a very special bond with this huge creature. Mrs F holds a gun during the bombing because she knows if the zoo is bombed and Adonis is set free everyone will be in danger. She does not want to shoot this noble creature but she might be forced to do this terrible thing. 

The young boy in this book is at times so astute about the emotions and motivations of others but he also totally misunderstands at crucial times and worse he never stops to think about his own reaction to events and others. I have never read a book filled with so much anger. I knew I was in safe hands or I hoped I was in safe hands with Phil Earle and that all of this would be resolved but the anger is so unrelenting in this story that at times I just had to put this book down. I think I almost held my breath for 257 pages of the 302 desperate for Joseph to open up to Mrs F. Desperate for Joseph to understand and accept the kindness of others. Hoping Joseph could rid himself of his terrible guilt and sense of worthlessness. 

Here are a few text quotes to give you a flavour of this writing:

"He had no idea why this woman had volunteered to take him in, or of the link that existed between them, but she clearly knew he had no mother; he saw it in her eyes. And her knowing bothered him."

"He didn't want to be here; in this room, this house, this city, but like everything in life, it seemed he had no choice in how it played out. At the same time, deep in his gut, he knew he was to blame."

"He didn't like the way she spoke, as if she knew exactly what was going on up there. And he certainly didn't like her talking about her dad. She didn't know him, about how Joseph missed him every day, not how angry he was that he hadn't been there when he really did need him."

"Today was different, for as Joseph crouched on his haunches facing Adonis, he felt the ape's fingers brush his. Joseph swallowed a gasp as a jolt of electricity ripped through him. It was thrilling."

"Joseph's heart rattled like a snare drum, then threatened to explode as Adonis patted his head gently, not with one hand, but with both. He felt tears spring into his eyes at the gentleness of the act, then fall down is cheeks as Adonis lifted his chin, resting Joseph's forehead against his own."

"Mrs F had no idea how to tell him, what words to use, or even how to think about calming him afterwards. How do you hold a boy together, when he was already broken? There were already too many pieces to manage, without dropping and damaging even more."

You can hear Phil Earle talking about his book. The publisher lists this book for 9+ but I think this is a book for an older reader 11+. Here is the US cover:

An unusual, moving war story with excellent writing and compelling characters. Kirkus

This is a beautifully written historical adventure story that will take readers on a very emotional and exciting journey. The pace is fast and the feelings run high. The reader ends up fighting for Joseph and Adonis all the way – and this book is almost impossible to put down. Book Trust

The deep anger and tense emotions in this book reminded me of The Night Bus hero.

Would you like a banana? by Yasmeen Ismail

You may recognise this conversation.

I'm hungry
Would you like a banana?
No. It's too yellow. It's too bendy. It's too wonky. I won't eat a banana.
But you might like a banana. Just try a teeny taste. Would you like one on a plate?
I won't eat a banana.
You might like one with some bread, or maybe standing on your head.
No. I won't eat a banana.

Perhaps you would like it mashed or sliced or made into a cake? NO.

Okay you don't have to eat a banana.

Can you guess what happens next?

This is such a fun book to read to a group but it also contains a grain of truth. A friend, who is a Teacher-Librarian, explained to me recently that the students who visit her library seem to resist borrowing any book she recommends. If she waxes lyrical the children seem to think the book is bad. In relation to food I know of one family that told their youngest child that only very smart, or much older children like a particular vegetable. Success - reverse psychology.

I love the huge illustrations on the bright white background and the inclusion of photos of real bananas. Yasmeen Ismail is a master of facial expression using simple lines and perfectly positioned eye balls.

Image Source Yasmeen Ismail

My friend at Kinderbooks with everything has created a collection of picture books that feature bananas. 

I would pair this book with Green Eggs and Ham; I will not Ever never eat a Tomato; Eat your peas; and Tales for very Picky Eaters.

Murilla Gorilla Jungle Detective by Jennifer Lloyd illustrated by Jacqui Lee

"The bright sun shone over the African Rainforest. 
Murilla Gorilla lived in a hut on the mountain. 
She was asleep.
'Ring!'
It was her phone.
'Murilla Gorilla Detective Agency,' Murilla said sleepily"

When I picked up this book in a library I read the first page. When I saw that the gorilla named Murilla answered her phone I knew this was a book to enjoy.

Crime: Stolen banana muffins
Victim: Ms Chimpanzee
Detective: Murilla Gorilla
Suspects: Mandrill, Hippo, Tree Frog, Anteater, Okapi and Little Chimp.
Criminal: Not telling - you'll have to read this book to discover the muffin thief and then I recommend you bake a batch and enjoy this book all over again.

Junior detective series always appeal to me. I love The High-Rise Private Eye series by Cynthia Rylant, the Pip Street books and Detective Gordon series and now I have discovered Murilla Gorilla. A very satisfying easy to read story told in five chapters with vibrant graphic illustrations.

There are four books so far in the Murilla Gorilla series:

Image Source: Jacqui Lee (Click this link to see more of her wonderful art).

Jennifer Lloyd is a Canadian author.  Click this link to read more about her work:

And the wildly varied contents of Murilla’s backpack, which she tips out twice during the story, allow children to practice reading unexpected words. But worthy though these achievements are, “Murilla Gorilla” is, above all, a pleasure to read and look at. Like the cheeky rascal who stole the muffins, readers will be hungry for more. New York Times


I would follow Murilla Gorilla with the detective books I mentioned earlier and later perhaps try these books about Precious by Alexander McCall Smith - they may be beyond the reading level of your child or student but they are perfect to read aloud. You can see the whole series here.

Ivan the remarkable true story of the shopping mall gorilla by Katherine Applegate

I found The One and Only Ivan such a moving story. I was a little worried about opening this new picture book.  The treatment of Ivan over 27 years is so hard to accept.  How could people be so cruel to a wonderful wild creature.

This book is aimed at a younger audience but since it is a true account of what happened to Ivan you can find it in the non fiction section of our school library.  After reading this book make sure you also read the final three pages which add in all the factual details about Ivan.

"The jungle, green with life was gone.
The gorillas had traveled halfway around the world to Tacoma, Washington. A man who owned a shopping mall had ordered and paid for them, like a couple of pizzas, like a pair of shoes."

I think this quote demonstrates the heart break you will feel when you read about Ivan.

Here is an interview with Katherine Applegate.  Take a minute to watch the trailer from the publisher.

The one and only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

The One and only Ivan is one of the saddest books I have ever read.  I hoped when I reached the end the sadness would lift but it does not, well not completely.  Ivan is only partly free - he is now living in a zoo but at least he has the company of other gorillas. Having said that I do think everyone should read this book. Books should make us feel things.  Being sad is a real emotion and not one we should shy away from or avoid.  Ivan is a hero in the true sense of the word. He has wise words to share. At times this book feels like a verse novel.

"I have been in my domain for nine thousand eight hundred and fifty-five days.
Alone
For a while when I was young and foolish, I thought I was the last gorilla on earth.
I tried not to dwell on it.  Still, it's hard to stay upbeat when you thing there are no more of you.
Then one night after I watched a movie ... I saw a lush forest. I heard birds murmuring. The grass moved. The trees rustled.
Then I saw him.  He was a bit threadbare and scrawny and not as good-looking as I am, to be honest. But sure enough, he was a gorilla."

Ivan, Stella and later Ruby are part of a collection of animals that live in a shopping mall.  This is a circus that does not travel. There are shows three times a day and gift stores where you can buy souvenirs of your visit. I found this so very very sad. The poster advertising their act is faded, the shopping mall is run down, crowds are dwindling and sadly the man in charge has become vicious.

Here is the web site for this book.  Take a look at the opening video it is so beautiful and poignant and contains some fabulous quotes from authors and reviewers.

I have been hearing about this book all year.  I read the whole book in one sitting.  I am certain the sentiments of this book will linger with me for many years.  I watched a video of a class in America. They were listening to their teacher read a list of top five books. I guess it was the top five for 2012.  There is one little girl close to the front of the camera. She can hardly contain her excitement as she anticipates and hopes The One and Only Ivan will be named the number one book!  When it is, the whole class just explodes!

Here is an interview with the author. Here is a set of teaching ideas. Read an extract on the publisher's web site.

The other hero in this story is Bob, a stray dog who is a secret companion for Ivan.  Ivan promises to take care of young Ruby.

"I shouldn't have made that promise, Bob.  I just wanted ... to make Stella happy, I guess. But I can't save Ruby. I can't even save myself.
I flop onto my back.  The cement is always cold, but tonight it hurts.
Bob leaps on to my belly. 'You are the One and Only Ivan,' he says. 'Mighty Silverback.'
He licks my chin, and he is not even checking for leftovers.
'Say it,' Bob commands.
I look away.
'Say it, Ivan.'
I don't answer so Bob licks my nose until I can't stand it any longer.
'I am the One and Only Ivan,' I mutter.
'And don't you ever forget it,' he says."

On the final pages of this book you will read the astonishing fact that this book is based on real events. There really was a gorilla who was held in a shopping mall for twenty-seven years until community action saved him. Here are some words from the Kirkus review.

Utterly believable, this bittersweet story, complete with an author’s note identifying the real Ivan, will inspire a new generation of advocates.