The One and Only Family: A #1 New York Times Bestselling Poignant Animal Story About Friendship For Kids (Ages 8-12)

For more than a decade, readers have been enchanted by the modern classic The One and Only Ivan, a Newbery Award winner and a #1 New York Times bestseller, and by its bestselling sequels, The One and Only Bob and The One and Only Ruby. Powerhouse author Katherine Applegate invites readers back into Ivan’s world for one last adventure—his most exciting yet.

Ivan has been happily living in a wildlife sanctuary, with his friend Ruby next door in the elephant enclosure, frequent visits from his canine friend Bob, and his mate Kinyani by his side. And in the happiest turn of all, Ivan and Kinyani have welcomed a set of twins to their family!

Ivan loves being a papa, even though it can be hard sometimes. But as he navigates the joys and challenges of parenthood, he can’t help but recall his life before the glass walls of the mall circus, his own childhood in the jungle—and his own twin.

In the tradition of timeless classics like Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little, the one and only Katherine Applegate has crafted a poignant, delightful, heartbreaking, unforgettable final foray into the world of Ivan, the world’s favorite silverback.

What happens when the world’s most famous gorilla becomes a father for the very first time?

A New Gorilla Family: Ivan and Kinyani welcome adorable twin babies, but being a papa is more complicated than he ever imagined. Unforgettable Animal Friendship: Beloved friends Bob the dog and Ruby the elephant are back to offer their own unique, hilarious, and heartfelt advice. A Past That Lingers: Becoming a father makes Ivan remember his own childhood in the jungle, his lost family, and the twin sister he never forgot. The Heartwarming Finale: The perfect, poignant conclusion to the Newbery Award-winning series that has captured the hearts of readers for over a decade.