The One And Only Ivan, The One And Only Bob, The One And Only Ruby And More 6 Books Collection Set - Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set:
The One and Only Ivan
The One and Only Bob
The One and Only Ruby
The One and Only Family
Crenshaw
Wombat Waiting

Format: Paperback

Overview:
Six-book journey into friendship, courage, and animal-wild wisdom, this Katherine Applegate collection gathers The One and Only Ivan, Bob, Ruby, Family, Crenshaw, and Wombat Waiting in a single paperback. Across these titles, Applegate blends humor with heartbreak to explore belonging and the power of chosen family. Ivan's reflective narration, Bob's brave quest, Ruby's memories, and Crenshaw's grounded realism create a rich reading arc, while Wombat Waiting adds a gentle bridge for younger readers. The UK edition provides a consistent format, making this set ideal for home libraries, classroom reading, or BookTok recommendations. Together, they form a cohesive education in empathy and resilience, aligned with school SEL goals, and ideal for read-aloud sessions at home or in class. The six-book sequence invites discussion about responsibility, courage, and kindness, making it a long-lasting gift for growing readers at home, in library shelves.

What Makes This Collection Worth Owning:
Buying the six titles as a single collection offers a complete reading journey with a consistent paperback experience in the UK edition. The trio of Ivan, Bob and Ruby provides a through-line about friendship, courage, and belonging, while Crenshaw adds a grounded, timely perspective on family life, money worries, and resilience. Wombat Waiting adds a lighter, picture-book entry that makes the set accessible to younger readers and siblings. Collecting these six titles saves time and shipping, makes gifting easier, and creates a cohesive reading shelf for families, classrooms, and book clubs. Readers can enjoy a binge-reading experience, advancing from Ivan's introspective voice to the broader cast of characters, all authored by the award-winning Katherine Applegate.

Books Included in This Collection:
The One and Only Ivan
From the Newbery Medal tale, The One and Only Ivan follows Ivan the gorilla as he learns to look beyond his enclosure and discover friendship. The story blends warmth with heartbreak as Ivan and Ruby form a bond that pushes them toward a kinder life. This paperback edition preserves Applegate's concise, image-rich narration and vivid scenes, inviting readers to consider belonging and family.

The One and Only Bob
Bob, a stray dog with a big heart, takes center stage in this hopeful sequel. Facing danger, loss, and a perilous journey, Bob discovers that courage arrives through friendship and loyalty, with Ivan and Ruby beside him. Applegate threads humor and tenderness through every twist, keeping the pace accessible for middle-grade readers while inviting reflection on home, memory, and belonging.

The One and Only Ruby
Ruby's voice grows brighter in this companion tale, recounting life before and after she found safety at a wildlife sanctuary. Her memories reveal trust, resilience, and self-discovery, while new caretakers offer hope for a brighter future. Applegate presents the animal world with warmth and honesty, inviting readers to consider kindness across species. The narrative remains clear and accessible, delivering an emotional arc.

The One and Only Family
A family-centered entry that expands the world of Ivan and Ruby, showing how love and protection grow in unexpected places. The gorilla family, the dog pack, and Ruby's circle weave through parenting, belonging, and resilience as new chapters—like the arrival of twins—soften heartbreak with hope. The pace stays gentle but emotionally precise.

Crenshaw
Crenshaw follows Jackson and his imaginary cat through a real struggle that threatens their family's stability. The book blends magical realism with grounded scenes to explore anxiety, friendship, and the courage to ask for help. Applegate's clear voice invites readers to sit with difficult truths while maintaining warmth.

Wombat Waiting
Wombat Waiting is a gentle picture-book that complements the longer narratives with a calm voice and soft illustrations. It introduces a patient wombat and a hopeful mood that invites readers to slow down and enjoy a quiet story. While shorter, the book carries Applegate's empathy, making it a bridge for younger siblings.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
Designed for families, classrooms, and book lovers who crave character-driven animal stories, this six-book collection suits readers aged roughly 8–12, though many younger readers will enjoy Wombat Waiting with parental read-aloud support, and older readers will appreciate Crenshaw's realism. It's ideal for indie reading time, library displays, or gifting to new readers to the author. The through-line across Ivan, Bob, and Ruby offers a cohesive entry point to Applegate's world, while Crenshaw and Wombat Waiting widen the tonal range for varied tastes. The set is a strong pick for BookTok recommendations and classroom sets that foster discussion about friendship, resilience, and empathy.

Key Benefits:

• Complete six-book collection by Katherine Applegate
• UK paperback edition for a consistent reading experience
• Engaging, character-driven stories about friendship and family
• Suitable for shared reading at home or in the classroom
• Great as a gift set for animal-loving readers
• Supports reading progression from picture-book to middle-grade fiction

About the Author:
Katherine Applegate is an award-winning American author whose books connect with readers through clear, compassionate storytelling. The One and Only Ivan won the Newbery Medal in 2013, a milestone that established Applegate as a master of animal-centered fiction for middle-grade readers. The Ivan series—Bob, Ruby, and Family—continues to engage fans with themes of friendship, courage, and belonging, while Crenshaw and Wombat Waiting showcase her range, from realistic juvenile fiction to picture-book tenderness. Applegate's accessible voice, witty observations, and humane perspectives make her books reliable picks for families and educators seeking thoughtful, uplifting, and truly engaging storytelling.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
Owning the complete six-book collection delivers value, continuity, and the joy of watching a reading journey unfold. The titles are rich with emotion and insight, sparking conversations about kindness, courage, and what it means to belong. The UK paperback editions maintain a cohesive look on shelves and in classrooms, while the mix of novels and a picture book offers a varied pace that keeps readers hooked. This set is ideal for gifting to new readers or longtime Applegate fans who want the full author-led experience in one trusted bundle.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.