The One and Only Ivan

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 153 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. Chapter 1: What do you learn about Ivan from the way he introduces himself?
2. Chapter 2: Why do names seem important in this chapter, and what can a name tell us about a character?
3. Chapter 3: Ivan says he is patient. How does patience help him live the life he has?
4. Chapter 4: How does Ivan describe the way he looks, and what does his description show about how he sees himself?
5. Chapter 5: What is the setting of the Exit 8 Big Top Mall, and how does it feel different from a real circus or zoo?
6. Chapter 6: What clues show that Ivan has lost people or places that mattered to him?
7. Chapter 7: Why do you think Ivan enjoys making art, even though his life is limited?
8. Chapter 8: What does Ivan’s game of finding shapes in clouds tell you about his imagination?
9. Chapter 9: How does Ivan use imagination, and why might imagination be important for someone in a cage?
10. Chapter 10: Why might people call Ivan the loneliest gorilla in the world, and do you agree?
11. Chapter 11: What role does television play in Ivan’s daily life?
12. Chapter 12: How does the nature show make Ivan think about wild gorillas?
13. Chapter 13: What do you learn about Stella, and how is she different from Ivan?
14. Chapter 14: What does Stella’s sore foot show about how she is treated at the mall?
15. Chapter 15: What does Stella want for Ruby, and why does that matter?
16. Chapter 16: How would you describe Bob, and what makes him a good friend to Ivan?
17. Chapter 17: When Ivan thinks about the word wild, what feelings or memories seem to come up?
18. Chapter 18: Why does Ivan compare himself or other artists to Picasso?
19. Chapter 19: How do the three visitors react to Ivan, and what do their reactions reveal?
20. Chapter 20: Why is it important when the visitors return instead of forgetting Ivan?
21. Chapter 21: Why does Ivan say sorry, and what does that word show about his feelings?
22. Chapter 22: What makes Julia different from many of the other humans Ivan sees?
23. Chapter 23: Why is drawing Bob a meaningful moment for Ivan and Julia?
24. Chapter 24: What does Bob’s behavior as an art model show about his personality?
25. Chapter 25: How would you describe Mack so far, and what evidence supports your idea?
26. Chapter 26: Why do you think Ivan has trouble sleeping?
27. Chapter 27: What small details, like the beetle, help you understand Ivan’s world?
28. Chapter 28: What kind of change seems to be coming, and how do the characters react to it?
29. Chapter 29: Why do characters have to guess about what will happen next?
30. Chapter 30: What does the story of Jambo teach about gorillas?
31. Chapter 31: How does the idea of being lucky mean different things to different characters?
32. Chapter 32: How does Ruby’s arrival change the mood of the story?
33. Chapter 33: Why might Mack care about publicity and old news?
34. Chapter 34: What first impression do you get of Ruby, and what details create that impression?
35. Chapter 35: How does the billboard try to make the mall seem exciting?
36. Chapter 36: What does the art lesson show about Ruby, Ivan, and Julia?
37. Chapter 37: What does getting a treat reveal about life at the mall?
38. Chapter 38: Why might elephant jokes be both funny and sad in this story?
39. Chapter 39: How do children affect Ivan and Ruby’s lives at the mall?
40. Chapter 40: What does the parking lot setting show about the difference between nature and the mall?
41. Chapter 41: What do you learn from Ruby’s story, and how does it make you feel about her?
42. Chapter 42: How does Ruby becoming a hit change the way Mack treats her?
43. Chapter 43: What worries Stella, and why should Ivan listen to her?
44. Chapter 44: Why is Ivan’s promise to Stella so important?
45. Chapter 45: What does Ivan begin to understand or know in this chapter?
46. Chapter 46: How do the five men create tension in the story?
47. Chapter 47: How do the characters try to comfort one another during a scary time?
48. Chapter 48: Why is crying an important reaction in this chapter?
49. Chapter 49: How does the next morning feel different from the night before?
50. Chapter 50: Why might Ivan feel proud, even while the situation is sad?
51. Chapter 51: What does the temporary human add to the story, and how does Ivan respond?
52. Chapter 52: Who might be seen as the bad guys in this chapter, and is that simple or complicated?
53. Chapter 53: How does the idea of adventuring connect to Ivan’s memories?
54. Chapter 54: What do Ivan’s once upon a time memories show about his early life?
55. Chapter 55: Why does Ivan describe his young life as perfect?
56. Chapter 56: What does the grunt show about communication in Ivan’s gorilla family?
57. Chapter 57: How does the memory of mud help you picture Ivan’s childhood?
58. Chapter 58: What does it mean to be a protector, and who acts like one in this chapter?
59. Chapter 59: What is the thing that changes Ivan’s life, and why is it frightening?
60. Chapter 60: How does bravery look different for Ivan as a baby than it does later?
61. Chapter 61: Why is the giving of names an important part of Ivan’s past?
62. Chapter 62: What does the vine memory show about freedom and play?
63. Chapter 63: How does Ivan describe his family, and what does that tell you about gorillas?
64. Chapter 64: Why is the end of Ivan’s old life so painful to remember?
65. Chapter 65: Why do you think Ivan tells this story now?
66. Chapter 66: What does Ivan remember about the others, and why are those memories important?
67. Chapter 67: What change happens in Ivan’s life, and how does he try to handle it?
68. Chapter 68: Why is the memory of a seven-thousand-pound baby surprising or important?
69. Chapter 69: How does the parking lot compare with the natural world Ivan remembers?
70. Chapter 70: How do the kids in Ivan’s memories treat him, and how does that shape him?
71. Chapter 71: What does Ivan’s bad dream reveal about his fears?
72. Chapter 72: What might the suitcase symbolize in Ivan’s memories?
73. Chapter 73: How does Ivan’s idea of my place change over time?
74. Chapter 74: What does the number of days in captivity help you understand about Ivan’s life?
75. Chapter 75: Why does Ivan pretend, and what does pretending help him avoid?
76. Chapter 76: What does making a nest suggest about Ivan’s needs and instincts?
77. Chapter 77: What message does the billboard send, and what message is missing?
78. Chapter 78: Why might this chapter be called the beginning if Ivan has already lived a long life?
79. Chapter 79: What excuses do characters make, and how do excuses affect their choices?
80. Chapter 80: How do the cards or drawings become a way to communicate?
81. Chapter 81: What makes Ivan’s problem tricky to solve?
82. Chapter 82: How does another nature show help Ivan think differently about Ruby’s future?
83. Chapter 83: What new idea does Ivan have, and why is it risky?
84. Chapter 84: How does a visit from Julia or another human help Ivan’s plan?
85. Chapter 85: What would a new beginning mean for Ruby?
86. Chapter 86: Why is seeing another Ivan important for Ivan’s imagination?
87. Chapter 87: How do Ivan’s days show both routine and hope?
88. Chapter 88: Why are nights important for Ivan’s secret work?
89. Chapter 89: What is Ivan’s project, and what goal is he working toward?
90. Chapter 90: Why does Ivan feel that something is not right?
91. Chapter 91: How does the idea of going nowhere fit Ivan’s life at the mall?
92. Chapter 92: What makes a human bad in Ivan’s eyes, and do you think all humans are the same?
93. Chapter 93: Why does Ivan hide his work, and what does that show about his plan?
94. Chapter 94: What problem is Mack facing, and how does it affect the animals?
95. Chapter 95: How do colors help Ivan express an idea that words cannot?
96. Chapter 96: Why does Mack want Ivan to be a star again?
97. Chapter 97: How does the title ape artist change the way people look at Ivan?
98. Chapter 98: Why is the embarrassing picture upsetting to Ivan?
99. Chapter 99: What makes Ivan angry, and how does anger push the story forward?
100. Chapter 100: How are Ivan’s paintings like puzzle pieces?
101. Chapter 101: What finally comes together for Ivan in this chapter?
102. Chapter 102: How does the next morning test Ivan’s hope?
103. Chapter 103: Why might being called good boy feel complicated for Ivan?
104. Chapter 104: How can a photo tell a story or change what people notice?
105. Chapter 105: Why does Ivan’s anger keep returning?
106. Chapter 106: How does patience help Ivan keep working on his promise?
107. Chapter 107: How is Ivan trying to keep his promise to Stella?
108. Chapter 108: Why does Ivan need to make more paintings?
109. Chapter 109: What does chest-beating mean for Ivan in this moment?
110. Chapter 110: How can anger be useful, and how can it be dangerous?
111. Chapter 111: What does going somewhere mean for Ruby, Ivan, or both of them?
112. Chapter 112: How does the mall try to turn animals into things people can buy?
113. Chapter 113: What does the sign on the bench show about how humans label places?
114. Chapter 114: Why is Ivan still angry, even when his plan is moving forward?
115. Chapter 115: How does the early news change what the public knows?
116. Chapter 116: What do signs on sticks show about people’s power to speak up?
117. Chapter 117: How do the protesters affect Mack, Ivan, and Ruby?
118. Chapter 118: What do the check marks suggest about decisions being made for the animals?
119. Chapter 119: What does the phrase free Ruby mean to different characters?
120. Chapter 120: Why is the new box scary, even if it may lead to a better place?
121. Chapter 121: How does training prepare Ruby, and why might it also be stressful?
122. Chapter 122: How do poking and prodding show the difference between helping and hurting?
123. Chapter 123: Why does Ivan stop painting, and what might that show about his feelings?
124. Chapter 124: How does the next morning build suspense?
125. Chapter 125: What makes saying goodbye difficult for Ivan?
126. Chapter 126: What does the click of a door or lock make you think might happen next?
127. Chapter 127: How do the characters prepare for a major change?
128. Chapter 128: What feelings come with knowing someone will soon be leaving?
129. Chapter 129: How does Ivan react when Ruby is moved, and what does it show about him?
130. Chapter 130: What does Bob’s friendship mean to Ivan during the move?
131. Chapter 131: How do Julia and George show kindness as Ivan’s life changes?
132. Chapter 132: What does Mack’s goodbye reveal about his character?
133. Chapter 133: Why might Ivan feel both afraid and hopeful in the transport crate?
134. Chapter 134: What details make the trip to the new place feel strange to Ivan?
135. Chapter 135: When Ivan wakes up, what clues tell him his world has changed?
136. Chapter 136: Why does Ivan miss familiar things, even if the mall was not a good home?
137. Chapter 137: How does the new food or care compare with life at the mall?
138. Chapter 138: Why does the zoo not feel like home right away?
139. Chapter 139: What does the wall between Ivan and the other gorillas symbolize?
140. Chapter 140: How does Ivan react to seeing other gorillas near him?
141. Chapter 141: What does safety mean in Ivan’s new place?
142. Chapter 142: Why is climbing to the top important for Ivan?
143. Chapter 143: How does going outside change Ivan’s understanding of his new home?
144. Chapter 144: What does Ivan’s mistake or oops moment show about learning?
145. Chapter 145: How would you describe what freedom feels like for Ivan?
146. Chapter 146: What does Ivan learn about being a silverback in the zoo?
147. Chapter 147: How is Ruby’s new life different from her life at the mall?
148. Chapter 148: Why is it important that Ivan sees Ruby safe and happy?
149. Chapter 149: How does Ivan’s new gorilla family help him grow?
150. Chapter 150: What role does art still play in Ivan’s life after the move?
151. Chapter 151: Why might Ivan feel proud at the end of the story?
152. Chapter 152: How has Ivan’s meaning of home changed from the beginning to now?
153. Chapter 153: What makes Ivan the one and only Ivan?

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

Chapter 14: What does Stella’s sore foot show about how she is treated at the mall?

I think Stella’s sore foot shows that the people at the mall do not take good enough care of her. She is old and hurting, but she still has to live and perform in a place that is not right for an elephant. This makes me feel sad because Stella is gentle and wise. It also helps me understand why she worries so much about Ruby.

Chapter 77: What message does the billboard send, and what message is missing?

The billboard tries to send the message that the mall is exciting and fun. It makes the animals look like entertainment for people to come see. I think the missing message is the truth about how the animals actually feel. The sign does not show their loneliness, small spaces, or need for a better home.

Chapter 145: How would you describe what freedom feels like for Ivan?

I would describe freedom for Ivan as scary and wonderful at the same time. He has wanted something more than his cage, but being outside and making choices is new to him. I think freedom feels like fresh air, space, and hope. It also takes courage because Ivan has to learn how to live in a different way.