Amazon.com: Customer reviews: The One and Only Ivan

Top positive review

How great to have a story from a gorilla's point of view.

Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2018

My 9 year old son could never "get into" a book. But he wanted to, desperately. I found this book and surprised him with it. He was so excited because it was "big" and had more than 100 pages lol. You see, it was a goal of his to read something "big". This book, I can not say enough about it. It sparked something in him and he read, and read, and read some more. He FINISHED this book in one week! He connected with the character (Ivan) and was emotionally pulled into the story. He then had to learn all he could about this gorilla. Because of how my son loved it, he said it was 5 stars.
This book was written from the gorilla's (Ivan's) point of view. It is a bigger book, but don't be alarmed as there are not many words on a page as the formatting is not as tight as a traditional novel. But don't let that stop you either!
It is now my son's favorite book. Because of that, and what that means, I give it 5 stars.

232 people found this helpful

Top critical review

All critical reviews›

JesusIsKing

Do not recommend

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2019

Was written well. I don't believe we came from apes and it's almost the third sentence in the book. Also I think it's too graphic in detailing what humans do to gorillas in the wild. Cutting their hands and heads off is not something I want to read to my children.

557 people found this helpful

Sort by

Filter by

Filtered by

2 starClear filter

111 global ratings | 32 global reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

From the United States

steve

Couldn’t finish it — too depressing

Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2020

Verified Purchase

I mean wtf. I’m reading this to my 5 year old and it’s like totally depressing. I mean, I don’t need unicorns and butterflies but, how is this such a highly rated book. Sorry couldn’t write this after finishing it... just didn’t want to drag on with more depressing story time.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Kelly Schmitt

Child's book. Not for a adult.

Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2020

Verified Purchase

I love gorillas and thought this story would be adorable. This book is for kids. I was hoping for an adult version. I gave away.

Helpful

Morgan

Bent cover!

Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2018

Verified Purchase

Cover came bent, I’m sure my students will bend it eventually but I’m bummed it came like that!

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Sanya Miller

Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2021

Verified Purchase

Price was good. Shipping was fast. Book came in damaged.

Helpful

louisa

Two Stars

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2018

Verified Purchase

Not what I expected

Helpful

Willow

Not at ALL what I was Expecting

Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2014

Verified Purchase

I was born in Tacoma Washington, and as a kid we would to to the B & I store where Ivan the Silverback Gorilla was kept in a glassed in box car inside the store (horrible, I know, but those were the days). It was a big deal to get to go and see him.

I guess I thought this book would be a bit more like a history of Ivan, but it's a fictional kids book that uses Ivan as the character. I didn't enjoy it. Simple, and certainly not based on anything other than the idea of Ivan.

Ivan was eventually transferred to a zoo, fathered some little gorillas and lived out his life to be pretty comfy. He died a few years ago. I think he was around 50.

15 people found this helpful

Helpful

Stephen Lacey

Not the kind of thing I enjoyed reading to my 9 year old before bed

Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2016

Verified Purchase

Depressing. Not the kind of thing I enjoyed reading to my 9 year old before bed.

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

sunnydaysinCA

Why all the hype?

Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2015

Verified Purchase

I'm not sure why everyone loves this book. I love elephants, and I see the message of friendship in the story, but the writing style was not my favorite. I read the book aloud to my sons and all three of us found it to be rather boring. We actually stopped reading it for a month and none of us cared. I wanted to see what all the hype was about though so we finished it. It's a good story about friendship but slow going.

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Abi Murphy

Ehhh

Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2013

Verified Purchase

It was interesting but I personally wouldn't want to read it again but I loved bob..... I actually have a dog like Bob she's short and stumpy with big ears her name is kiko

One person found this helpful

Helpful

DCS Teacher

Cute Story, but Newbery worthy?

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2014

Verified Purchase

Kids will love the animals. It's sad, happy, simple. Is this truly a great addition to children's literature? OR Is it a nice story with a misguided message about one cage being better than another? I often wonder what the criteria are for a classic book. This one does not seem to fit.

12 people found this helpful

Helpful

Need customer service? Click here

‹ See all details for The One and Only Ivan

5 star		88%
4 star		8%
3 star		2%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

The One and Only Ivan

›

Customer reviews

Customer reviews

The One and Only Ivan

Top positive review

Top critical review

Filtered by

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

From the United States

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

The One and Only Ivan › Customer reviews

Customer reviews

The One and Only Ivan

Top positive review

Top critical review

Filtered by

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

From the United States

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

The One and Only Ivan

›

Customer reviews