The one and only ivan is a childrens novel written by k a applegate and illustrated by patricia castelao the book is about a silverback gorilla named ivan who lived in a cage at a mall the novel is written in first person from the point of view of ivan a gorilla. The one and only ivan the book the real ivan the author order contact appearances c 2014 katherine applegate website by jake matesjake mates. Such is the case with the one and only ivan written by the author katherine appelgate previously unknown to me and now a favorite at the risk of sounding overly effusive this book is heartwarming soul touching totally engaging while not being at all overly sentimental. The one and only ivan katherine applegate the one and only ivan is a childrens novel written by katherine applegate and illustrated by patricia castelao the book is about a silverback gorilla named ivan who lives in a cage at a mall the novel is written in first person from the point of view of ivan a silverback gorilla. Ivan is an easygoing gorilla living at the exit 8 big top mall and video arcade he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain