After reading The One and Only Ivan earlier this year (which is currently being adapted by Disney with a tentative release date of August 24th) and feeling filled with love, I knew I had to get my hands on The One and Only Bob. A showstealer of a dog, Bob is one of Ivan’s best friends and he finally gets his book to tell his tale (or should I say “tail”?).
Bob has always been a bit of a loner – thrown out of a moving truck with his siblings at a very young age, he has had to manage surviving on his own for years. Scrounging up food and making friends with a gorilla and the cutest little elephant, Bob knows that ultimately, the only one he can rely on is himself. That is, until he gets adopted by Sarah at the end of The One and Only Ivan and becomes a bit spoiled – sleeping in a warm bed every night, getting regular food and cuddles – Bob is living the good life. Yet he still has trouble trusting people because once you have something, you have something to lose. So when a big storm comes along and Bob finds himself stranded without knowledge of what has happened to his friends and family and suddenly hearing the voice of his little sister who he hasn’t seen since that traumatic separation, Bob is all over the place. Where is Sarah? Is Ivan still alive? And was that really Boss he heard barking?
He knows he needs to save the people and furry friends he loves – but can he do it?
Applegate excels at writing stories that tug at your heartstrings. From the moment we get to hear from Bob himself, this story is a whirlwind of warring emotions.
I’ve read in some reviews that “it’s hard to read a companion novel to a novel that’s near perfect” and I definitely agree with that. There are a lot of expectations placed on a book if it’s related to anything that has taken up residence in your heart and boy am I glad that this story was just as great as Ivan’s. Bob has a lot going for him and a lot more to deal with – from the other animals that tell him he’s become too comfortable in his new life to the first spark of romance he’d rather not have happening, Bob is just a bit overwhelmed with it all, but still trying to play it cool.
You can tell that he wants to let people in but that he’s scared because loving people will make him vulnerable. Consequently, he leaves everyone at paw’s length – to protect himself and more so the people who might be disappointed in him.
All in all, this was a stellar story filled with love and acceptance and laugh-out-loud moments. Life-affirming and with a happy ending, this is what every (young) reader can use right about now. Fans of the first novel will be glad to get a peek at Ivan and some other animal friends and readers who haven’t encountered Ivan’s story yet will be sure to pick it up after reading about Bob and his beguiling bark. As for me, I will be (im)patiently waiting for the movie so I can cry happy tears in a theater full of people instead of just in my own home, bent over this heartfelt book.
The One and Only Bob is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers as of May 5th 2020.
Will you be picking up The One and Only Bob? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
Return to the unforgettable world of the Newbery Medal-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling novel The One and Only Ivan (soon to be a major motion picture!) in this incredible sequel, starring Ivan’s friend Bob!
Bob sets out on a dangerous journey in search of his long-lost sister with the help of his two best friends, Ivan and Ruby. As a hurricane approaches and time is running out, Bob finds courage he never knew he had and learns the true meaning of friendship and family.
Bob, Ivan, and Ruby have touched the hearts of millions of readers, and their story isn’t over yet. Catch up with these beloved friends before the star-studded film adaptation of The One and Only Ivan hits theaters in August 2020!
