The One and Only 4 Books Collection Set by Katherine Applegate - 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

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Age Range: Ages 8-12 (Grades 3-7)

Overview
The 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.

About the Books
Katherine 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. The 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. Across 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.

Key Benefits

• Complete four-book paperback set featuring all of Ivan, Bob, Ruby, and Family in one collection
• Includes The One and Only Ivan, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal and a #1 New York Times bestseller
• Short, accessible chapters make the series ideal for building independent reading confidence
• Themes of friendship, courage, and family provide natural springboards for classroom or family discussion
• Perfect gift for animal-loving kids, birthdays, holidays, or as a classroom library addition
• Written by acclaimed children's author Katherine Applegate, praised for humane, character-driven storytelling

Book-by-Book Guide
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
The One and Only Family — Ivan adjusts to the surprises and joys of fatherhood as the found family faces a new chapter together.

About the Author
Katherine 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.

Why You'll Love This Collection
This 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.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.