TL;DR: The One and Only Bob is the gritty, big-hearted sequel to the Newbery-winning The One and Only Ivan. While Bob is a scene-stealer in The One and Only Ivan (Disney+ movie), his standalone book is where he really shines. It’s a story about a scrappy stray dog dealing with massive past trauma (abandonment) while surviving a literal hurricane. It’s perfect for ages 8-12, but be ready for some "big feelings" conversations about loss and trust.
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If your kid has already sobbed through The One and Only Ivan, they already know Bob. He’s the cynical, street-smart mutt who used to sleep on Ivan’s belly at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall.
In this sequel, Bob takes the mic. He’s no longer a stray; he’s been adopted by Julia (the daughter of the mall’s former custodian), but he’s still struggling with "imposter syndrome." He doesn't think he's a "good dog." He thinks he's a coward because of a tragic event in his past involving his siblings.
The plot kicks into high gear when a hurricane (and a tornado!) hits the area, forcing Bob to find the courage to save his best friends, Ivan the gorilla and Ruby the elephant, while unexpectedly reuniting with a piece of his past he thought was gone forever.
Kids—especially the ones who feel a bit like underdogs themselves—obsess over Bob because he’s real. Unlike some overly saccharine animal stories, Bob is grumpy, he’s a bit of a liar, and he’s obsessed with food. He has a "dog-centric" vocabulary (included in a glossary at the front of the book) that makes the world-building feel tactile and hilarious.
It’s also a "survival" story. There’s something about the high stakes of a natural disaster that keeps kids turning pages. It’s the same reason they love I Survived or Wings of Fire.
Katherine Applegate has built a powerhouse franchise here. If your kid finishes Bob and wants more, here is the roadmap:
The OG. Inspired by a true story of a gorilla kept in a mall for 27 years. It’s essential reading before Bob.
A solid adaptation. Danny DeVito voices Bob, and he absolutely nails the "crusty but lovable" vibe. It’s a great family movie night pick, though it lacks some of the internal grit found in the books. Check out our guide to Disney+ parental controls
The third book, focusing on the baby elephant’s backstory in Africa. It deals heavily with poaching, so it’s a bit more intense on the animal rights front.
The newest addition (2024), bringing the story full circle as Ivan becomes a father.
Recommended Ages: 8-12
While the tone is often funny, The One and Only Bob doesn't pull its punches. Here’s what might trigger some "parental radar" moments:
- Animal Cruelty/Abandonment: Bob’s origin story is rough. He and his siblings were put in a box and thrown out of a moving truck onto a highway. He describes the "thud" of his siblings hitting the ground. It’s handled with grace, but for sensitive kids (or any kid who loves their pets), it’s a gut-punch.
- Peril: The hurricane scenes are intense. There are flooding rivers, collapsing buildings, and animals in genuine danger.
- Loss: Like its predecessor, the book deals with the fact that life isn't always fair and not everyone gets saved.
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This book is a fantastic gateway for talking about resilience and forgiveness. Bob spends most of the book hating himself for being "a coward." You can ask your kids:
- "Does being scared mean you aren't brave?"
- "Why is it so hard for Bob to trust humans even when Julia is nice to him?"
It’s also a great way to talk about animal welfare without being preachy. The books are based on the real-life Ivan, which adds a layer of "this actually happened" that kids find fascinating.
The One and Only Bob is a rare sequel that actually justifies its existence. It takes a beloved side character and gives him a complex, messy, and ultimately redemptive arc.
If you have a kid who is "too cool" for talking animals but loves a good survival story, or a kid who is currently grieving a pet or dealing with a big life change, this book is a win. It’s smart, it’s fast-paced, and it treats kids like they’re capable of understanding that the world is a complicated place.
Next Steps:
- Read The One and Only Ivan together.
- Watch the Disney+ movie for a Friday night treat.
- Let them dive into The One and Only Bob solo—just keep the tissues handy.
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