The One and Only Ivan is one of my son’s favorite books ever. In fact, he’s read it over and over and over. So, we were incredibly excited to see the movie premier on Disney Plus! And just in time as well are One and Only Ivan activities from Disney Plus as well. Since so many more parents are homeschooling or supplementing their children’s learning at home, this educational activity guide is the perfect way to bring Ivan into your home. There’s learning activities that will enhance your viewing experience!
The One and Only Ivan Movie Details
This is an adaptation of the award-winning book about one very special gorilla. Disney’s THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN is an unforgettable tale about the beauty of friendship, the power of visualization and the significance of the place one calls home. Ivan is a 400-pound silverback gorilla who shares a communal habitat in a suburban shopping mall with Stella the elephant, Bob the dog, and various other animals. And he has few memories of the jungle where he was captured. But when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, it touches something deep within him.
Ruby is recently separated from her family in the wild. And this causes Ivan to question his life, where he comes from and where he ultimately wants to be. The heartwarming adventure, which comes to the screen in an impressive hybrid of live-action and CGI, is based on Katherine Applegate’s bestselling book. This book won numerous awards upon its publication in 2013, including the Newbery Medal.
The Stars of the Film
The film stars: Sam Rockwell as the voice of Ivan; Angelina Jolie as the voice of Stella. And Danny DeVito as the voice of Bob the dog; Helen Mirren as the voice of Snickers the poodle. Also, Brooklynn Prince as the voice of Ruby; Ramon Rodriquez as the mall employee George. And Ariana Greenblatt as George’s daughter Julia; Chaka Khan as the voice of Henrietta the chicken. Also, it stars Mike White as the voice of Frankie the seal; Ron Funches as the voice of Murphy the rabbit. And Phillipa Soo as the voice of Thelma the parrot; and Bryan Cranston as Mack, the mall’s owner. THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN is directed by Thea Sharrock from a screenplay by Mike White based on Applegate’s book. And it is produced by the late Allison Shearmur, Angelina Jolie and Brigham Taylor. Sue Baden-Powell and Thea Sharrock serve as executive producers.
Disney and Conservation
The positive message about animal treatment in “The One and Only Ivan” is fittingly aligned with the Walt Disney Company, a recognized leader in animal care and conservation. Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo & Friends, all located in Orlando, Fla., are institutions that have been accredited by the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums).
The movie was made in partnership with the Disney Conservation Fund, which has directed more than $10 million to support primate conservation efforts across nearly 35 countries. This is including grants to support all four sub-species of gorilla as well as to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and GRACE (Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education) Center. For more information about the Disney Conservation Fund, watch this video overview.
GRACE is now home to 14 Eastern gorillas, each rescued from poachers and brought to GRACE to live together in a large forest enclosure with the hopes of reintroducing them back to the wild one day. In addition, the program works to advance community conservation in the region with programs that include economic empowerment opportunities for women and conservation clubs that get kids involved in helping gorillas and each other. For more information about gorillas visit DisneyAnimals.com.
One and Only Ivan Activities
In this world of schooling options and more and more homeschooling, we are all on the lookout for educational activities. And just in time, The One and Only Ivan has a matching activity book from Disney Plus! In fact, be sure to click on the photo below to download your own FREE activity book.
Enjoy learning about Ivan and his friends!