3.25 stars. this is a lovely end to the series (and it's good that it's over - to go further we'd have to see julia age, bob die, etc) where we see the continuation of hope, but also of dealing with change and the reality that we can't always give our children something better than what we want. how do we tell them the truth of things like climate change without lying to them but also without ruining their childhood. how do we protect them when what is dangerous is out of our purview? she also, as before, talks about freedom and caging creatures and the "humanity" of all living things. another wonderful book. ( )

As gorillas Ivan and Kinyani prepare to be parents, Ivan faces conflicting feelings about the safety of the zoo ("the park") and his memories of the wild. When the twins are born and as they grow, their family is the subject of a documentary, which ultimately becomes the vehicle by which the twins learn of Ivan's past in the roadside mall circus. Elephant Ruby and dog Bob play supporting roles.

Here, there is no dramatic rescue, no violent storm, no tragic backstory that readers don't already know; Ivan may be a gorilla but he is an adult main character, rare in children's fiction, wrestling with adult questions. A fitting end to the quartet.

Quotes

It's interesting.
The older I get, the more miracles I seem to notice. (12)

We all learn from example. But what if there is no example to follow? (16)

It's a special kid of joy, feeling happy for a friend. (62)

You'd think the missing would end. But it doesn't. It just softens around the edges. (77)

Sometimes when the world gets stormy, the sameness of everyday life can feel like a life raft. (92)

One thing I've noticed about caring for little ones: you've got to get used to having wildly different feelings at the same time. (165)

Stories, it seems to me, are living things. Once you set them free, they're like offspring. They have destinies of their own. (178)

It was like everything in their lives. In our lives. A compromise between being free and being captive. (221)

I look at Kinyani and Raji and Tuma and I'm filled with worry and love.
I look at the humans in my life and I'm filled with fear and gratitude. (254)

From the Afterword:
Stories help us ready ourselves. For joy, for sorrow, for growth. They teach us empathy. They let us practice being better humans. (258)

...That's why I believe books for young readers should always end on an optimistic note. Children, after all, are un unwavering source of hope for adults.
The least we can do, it seems to me, is return the favor. (259) ( )

First sentence: I am Ivan. I'm about to become a dad. I'm hoping it's as easy as it looks.

Premise/plot: The One and Only Ivan is the fourth book in Katherine Applegate's series. Previous titles--as I'm sure many know--include The One and Only Ivan, The One and Only Bob, and The One and Only Ruby. Ivan and his gorilla partner, Kinyani, are going to be parents. This book--written in verse--chronicles Ivan's adventures/misadventures as a dad as "Big Daddy."

My thoughts: I LOVED this one. Is it for kids? Maybe. Maybe not. Is it for adults who read children's books? Almost definitely. Perhaps not exclusively. But The One and Only Ivan has been published for over ten years. He is such a memorable character that readers of all ages may want to read this one. The Ivan books (and sequels) have a timeless feel to them. This one gets VERY reflective and philosophical. I think adults will almost definitely connect with the narration. The writing just resonates at times. So many places I ended up highlighting. I am so glad I read this one.

Quotes:

Look at a gorilla infant's hand. Or a human baby's hand, if you don't happen to have access to a newborn gorilla. Which I suppose is quite likely. How could anything possibly be so small and so perfect? Now extend a finger, the way I am doing, the way every father since the beginning of time has done, and watch the way that tiny hand grabs hold as if it means the difference between life and death. Because perhaps it does. My son is holding on to me. Maybe it is not because of love, or need, or purpose. Maybe the movement is ingrained in a way we can't begin to understand. Perhaps babies hold on to fingers because they must. And perhaps that's all we need to know.

I have my story. The twins will have theirs. Stories, it seems to me, are living things. Once you set them free, they're like offspring. They have destinies of their own. They're no longer your responsibility. They belong to the world. ( )