{"title":"The One and Only","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"the-one-and-only-4-books-collection-set-katherine-applegate-ages-8-12-paperback","title":"The One and Only 4 Books Collection Set by Katherine Applegate - Fiction - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitles in This Set\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe One and Only Ivan\u003cbr\u003e\nThe One and Only Bob\u003cbr\u003e\nThe One and Only Ruby\u003cbr\u003e\nThe One and Only Family\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCondition: Brand New\u003cbr\u003e\nFormat: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\n\nPublisher: HarperCollins Children's Books\u003cbr\u003e\nAge Range: Ages 8-12 (Grades 3-7)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe One and Only 4-book paperback collection gathers Katherine Applegate's beloved animal friendship saga into one heartfelt set. Beginning with the Newbery Medal-winning The One and Only Ivan, the series follows a gorilla, an elephant, and a dog as their lives intertwine across a shopping mall enclosure, a storm-tossed journey, a wildlife sanctuary, and finally a growing family. Told with gentle humor and genuine emotional depth, these interconnected stories explore courage, belonging, and the true meaning of home. A treasured addition for middle-grade readers and animal lovers alike, perfect for family reading time or a classroom library.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Books\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nKatherine Applegate's The One and Only series began with The One and Only Ivan, the story of a gorilla who has spent nearly three decades behind glass at the Big Top Mall, entertaining visitors with quiet dignity. When a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, Ivan's perspective shifts, and a promise made to his dying friend Stella sets him on a path toward freedom and a truer sense of family. The book's spare, first-person narration—delivered in short, poem-like chapters—helped it become a Newbery Medal winner and a #1 New York Times bestseller.\n\nThe sequel, The One and Only Bob, shifts focus to Ivan's small, scrappy canine companion as he sets out to find the sister he left behind, braving a hurricane along the way with Ivan and Ruby at his side. The One and Only Ruby then turns to the elephant's own history, revisiting her early life in Africa and the circus years that shaped her, as she settles into a new home at a wildlife sanctuary. The series concludes with The One and Only Family, which follows Ivan as he adjusts to fatherhood, closing out the quartet's themes of resilience and belonging.\n\nAcross all four books, Applegate's warm storytelling remains rooted in real inspiration—Ivan himself was a real gorilla who lived for years in a Tacoma, Washington shopping mall before being relocated to Zoo Atlanta. That true history grounds the fiction, while the accessible chapters keep the pace brisk for growing readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComplete four-book paperback set featuring all of Ivan, Bob, Ruby, and Family in one collection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes The One and Only Ivan, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal and a #1 New York Times bestseller\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShort, accessible chapters make the series ideal for building independent reading confidence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThemes of friendship, courage, and family provide natural springboards for classroom or family discussion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerfect gift for animal-loving kids, birthdays, holidays, or as a classroom library addition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWritten by acclaimed children's author Katherine Applegate, praised for humane, character-driven storytelling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook-by-Book Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe One and Only Ivan — A gorilla who has lived behind glass at a shopping mall for years finds his world changed by the arrival of a baby elephant named Ruby.\u003cbr\u003e\nThe One and Only Bob — Ivan's small, brave dog companion Bob sets out to find his long-lost sister as a hurricane bears down on the group.\u003cbr\u003e\nThe One and Only Ruby — The elephant Ruby settles into life at a wildlife sanctuary while a visit from her past stirs up memories of Africa and the circus.\u003cbr\u003e\nThe One and Only Family — Ivan adjusts to the surprises and joys of fatherhood as the found family faces a new chapter together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nKatherine Applegate is an American author of books for young readers, best known for The One and Only Ivan, which won the 2013 Newbery Medal and became a #1 New York Times bestseller. She spent years researching the book, including visiting the real-life gorilla Ivan at Zoo Atlanta, and has gone on to write additional titles in the series alongside other acclaimed middle-grade novels such as Crenshaw and Wishtree. With her husband, she also co-created the long-running Animorphs series. Applegate's writing is known for blending humor, emotional honesty, and deep compassion for both animal and human characters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You'll Love This Collection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis four-book set brings together a modern classic in one convenient paperback collection—an ideal gift for birthdays, holiday stockings, or summer reading. Fans of Charlotte's Web and Because of Winn-Dixie will find a new favorite here, with stories that reward rereading and spark meaningful conversations about kindness, courage, and home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Katherine Applegate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57112110104950,"sku":"MAN-PR-U020510-9780008737641","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0575\/6587\/2211\/files\/the-one-and-only-katherine-applegate-paperback.jpg?v=1785796924"}],"url":"https:\/\/skymartbooks.com\/collections\/the-one-and-only.oembed","provider":"Skymart Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}