Meet the animals
Ivan's closest, wisest friend who is an aging elephant at the mall.
Stella
The yellow school supply that Ivan likes to eat after he finishes a drawing.
Crayons
The formal name of the mall where Ivan lives for 27 years.
The Big Top Mall And Video Arcade
The specific continent and habitat where Ivan was born before being captured.
The Central African rainforest
Ivan's common complaint about the human species' loud, constant chatter
“Humans waste words”
The tiny, cynical stray dog who loves to sleep on Ivan’s belly.
Bob
Ivan's favorite fruit and the very first thing he ever learned to draw.
Banana
Ivan's preferred word for his concrete enclosure, avoiding the word "cage".
Domain
The original birth name given to Ivan by his parents in the wild.
Mud
The prestigious children's literature award that Katherine Applegate won for this novel.
Newberry Medal
The innocent baby elephant brought to the Big Top Mall to learn new tricks.
Ruby
The person who first gives Ivan paper and paints because she recognizes his talent.
Julia
Ivan's creative name for the dried pieces of dung he flings at annoying mall visitors.
Me-balls
The type of habitat Ivan and Ruby are safely moved to at the end of the book.
A zoo
Stella's famous quote about how humanity tries to fix its past mistakes: "A ____ is how humans make amends."
A zoo
Ivan's favorite stuffed toy gorilla that he sleeps with and uses to hide paintings.
Not-Tag
The specific word Julia decodes from Ivan's giant billboard puzzle.
HOME
The tool used by Mack to threaten and train Ruby that causes Stella immense distress.
Claw stick
The human character who steps up to officially adopt Bob at the end of the novel.
Julia
The name of the zoo lady who uses positive reinforcement to coax Ivan into his transport box.
Maya
Ivan's twin sister who tragically died during their capture in Africa.
Tag
The price Mack sells Ivan's paintings for after the news reporter visits the mall.
65.00
The specific times that the Big Top Mall holds its live animal shows every single day.
2,4, and 7
The name of the female gorilla who becomes Ivan's very first friend at his new home.
Kinyani
The animal group name for a family of wild elephants, which Ruby frequently asks about.
Herd