Reading 5 · introductions to children · The One and Only Ivan

Copywork

She makes a happy, lilting sound, an elephant laugh. It’s like the song of a bird I recall from long ago, a tiny yellow bird with a voice like dancing water. Strange. I’d forgotten all about that bird, how she’d wake me every morning at dawn, when I was still curled safely in my mother’s nest.

Ruby’s laugh reminds Ivan of a bird from when he was “curled safely” in his mother’s nest. Why might making Ruby laugh bring back a time when Ivan was safe?

Discussion

Narration Tell back Ivan’s time with Ruby, from her trunk poking through the bars to the jokes at dawn. Then tell what Stella once said about babies.

Ruby asks where the other elephants are, and Ivan feels “we have let her down.” He did not bring her here. So why does he count himself in? Inference
Ivan thinks he could have drawn Ruby better than the billboard. But the billboard is there to make cars stop. Would a true picture of Ruby bring more people, or fewer? Theme
Ivan shuts his eyes and says he is sleepy. Ruby keeps asking things, like whether Bob can fly. What is she trying to do? Character
George tells Mack, “you might want to take a look at Stella’s foot.” Mack says money is tight and walks off. Did George do enough? Moral reasoning
Stella moans as she moves her sore foot. Then she says, “I’m fine.” Who needs to hear that? Character
After Ruby’s joke about baby elephants, Ivan and Stella both say “Good one.” Stella says it softly. Say each one aloud. How are they different? Tone

Make a Connection Think of a story you know where someone looks after a young one who is not their own. What turns out to be the hardest part for them?

Vocabulary

heritage: And I am a dog of uncertain heritage. The family line and background that someone comes from.
lopsided: The elephant has a lopsided smile. Uneven, with one side higher than the other.
intently: She studies it intently, her head turned so that one black eye is trained on my drawing. With close, careful attention, not looking away.
emphasize: You have to teach them how to take mud baths, of course, and emphasize the importance of fiber in their diet. To point out strongly that something matters.
recall: It’s like the song of a bird I recall from long ago, a tiny yellow bird with a voice like dancing water. To bring a memory back to mind.
gazing: “I’m not so sure,” Stella said, gazing at the iron bars surrounding her. Looking steadily at something for a long time.
lilting: She makes a happy, lilting sound, an elephant laugh. Rising and falling lightly, like a happy tune.
infected: I think it’s infected again. Sore and swollen because germs got into a wound.

Critical thinking

Ruby tells two sad things. After the first, Ivan says he is sorry. After she tells about the chains, no one answers, but soon Ivan draws for her. Which helped her more?
Ivan once told Stella, “You would have been good at protecting, too,” but Stella gazed at the iron bars and said, “I’m not sure at all.” Who is right?