THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN (AI DRAFT)
A captive gorilla finds courage, friendship and a way to help.
The Worldview
Read it together. The story honors loyalty, compassion and caring for animals, but its disturbing scenes and a direct evolutionary claim make it one to discuss with your child.
Ivan’s promise to Stella gives the book its moral center: he accepts responsibility for Ruby even though keeping his word will take courage. The story condemns cruelty and neglect. It also shows humans acting kindly as well as cruelly. It strongly questions the keeping of wild animals in small, commercial enclosures, while distinguishing those conditions from a better zoo habitat.
The book does not discuss God, prayer or Christian faith. In a passage about his family tree, Ivan describes humans and other apes as related cousins, presenting an evolutionary connection as fact. That claim deserves a calm conversation alongside what Scripture says about mankind’s distinct creation in God’s image. The book’s concern for animals is worth affirming without treating humans as merely another animal or excusing the wrong done to them.
The story’s longing is for creatures to be treated with care. Scripture says, “Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel” (Proverbs 12:10, ESV).
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIvan is a gorilla who has spent years in a glass enclosure at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall. He draws, watches people and spends time with his friends: Stella, an elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. Then a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, and Ivan begins to see their home and his own life differently. He makes a promise to Stella, though he cannot yet see how he might keep it.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own reader.
- Ivan’s memories of his childhood in Africa Poachers kill members of his family, remove their hands, feet and heads, and kill his twin sister.
- ruby’s story Ruby recalls humans killing her family.
- the littlest big top on earth Ivan remembers a seal who swallowed pennies and apparently died despite Mack's reassurance.
- Stella’s illness and decline Her untreated injury worsens, and she dies. Her body is taken away in a garbage truck.
- a new beginning Mack forces an exhausted Ruby through training with ropes and a heavy chain, slaps her, nudges her with his boot, touches her with the hook's point and swings it just above her head. Ruby strikes him with her trunk.
- Bob’s account of his puppyhood He describes being dumped on a freeway with his litter; he is the only one to survive.
- After Stella’s death Mack appears intoxicated, as inferred from Ivan’s description of his smell, red eyes and unsteady walk.
A locator so a parent can pre-read the scenes that matter instead of the whole book.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Moral worldview values loyalty, compassion and humane care for animals. It strongly challenges commercial captivity and presents an evolutionary connection between humans and apes as fact, without reference to God.
Foul Language
No spelled-out obscenities or misuse of God's name. Mild expressions include “heck,” “darn,” “doggone it,” “butt” and “stupid”; Ivan also uses the crude term “me-balls” for balls of excrement. There are mild insults and name-calling. Mack also uses an angry word the narration does not reproduce, and one expression breaks off at “What the—”.
Violence
Moderate violence and animal peril, including memories of poachers killing members of Ivan’s family and removing their hands, feet and heads, including his twin sister; Ruby recalls humans killing her family; and Ivan remembers a seal who swallowed pennies and apparently died despite Mack’s reassurance. An injured elephant dies after neglect. Mack forces an exhausted Ruby through training with ropes and a heavy chain, slaps her, nudges her with his boot, touches her with the hook's point and swings it just above her head. Ruby strikes him with her trunk. A puppy describes being dumped with its litter on a freeway; the others do not survive. No child is attacked.
Sex
No sexual activity. There are brief, mild romantic elements: a macaw flirts with Mack, Ivan and Bob watch romance on television, and Ivan later shows interest in a female gorilla. No LGBTQ or gender-identity content.
Nudity
No nudity.
Alcohol Use
Drinking is not shown. After Stella’s death, Mack is described as having red eyes, a sharp smell and an unsteady walk, implying intoxication.
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or recreational drug use. A veterinarian plans to sedate Ivan for medical care.
Miscellaneous Immorality
Ivan throws “me-balls” at visitors. Mack loses his temper, throws things and mistreats the animals, including pushing Ruby through training and threatening her with the hook; the story condemns this treatment. The animals sometimes insult people. Ivan recalls arguments between Mack and his wife, followed by her departure; marital separation is implied, not an explicitly described divorce. Some children spit and throw pebbles at Ivan's window. Bob voices distrust of humans, although the story also shows people acting kindly. Their resistance to captivity is framed as a response to abuse and neglect, not as casual defiance of rightful authority.
Is the Writing Any Good?
Four stars: this is a beautifully shaped story with a distinctive voice. Ivan narrates in brief, airy chapters, mixing plain sentences, vivid images and dry humor. The form suits his perspective and keeps a 320-page book approachable. Patricia Castelao’s illustrations add feeling without crowding the text. The story takes time to build, and its anthropomorphic animals and strong animal-welfare message may feel more persuasive than subtle. Still, the characters and Ivan’s growing sense of responsibility give the book real emotional force.
Talk About It
Four questions for the dinner table, the car, or a parent and teen reading it together.
Ivan accepts Stella’s request to protect Ruby before he knows how he can do it. What does keeping a promise look like when it costs you something?
Proverbs 3:3–4 · Matthew 5:37What does Ivan’s story show about how people should treat animals, and how is that different from treating animals as equal to people?
Proverbs 12:10 · Genesis 1:26–28Ivan describes humans and apes as related cousins. What does the Bible say makes people distinct, and how would you talk about the book’s claim?
Genesis 1:26–27 · Psalm 8:4–8Julia shares crayons with Ivan and treats him as a friend. What small act of kindness could help someone feel seen this week?
Luke 6:31 · Ephesians 4:32The Final Word
THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN is thoughtful, moving and beautifully written, but its animal cruelty, disturbing memories and evolutionary claim merit a parent’s guidance. Read it with your child and make room for honest questions about creation, human responsibility and care for animals. Our answer: Read it together.
