The One and Only Ivan is a favorite book of mine. I was so excited to learn that Katherine Applegate wrote a sequel, this time showcasing Bob, Ivan’s loyal stray dog companion. Applegate takes the heartwarming, humorous, and thought-provoking recipe of her creation of Ivan and brings it again to The One and Only Bob. It is a new favorite for teachers and students alike!
Take a look at this book trailer from Katherine Applegate’s YouTube Channel:
Benefits of Using The One and Only Bob in Your Classroom:
- Offers Compelling Themes: The One and Only Bob delves into themes of friendship, resilience, and empathy. Through the adventures of Bob, a spirited and lovable dog, students are drawn into a narrative that encourages them to reflect on their own relationships and the importance of compassion.
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Is a Sequel to a Beloved Classic: A significant advantage of using The One and Only Bob is its connection to Katherine Applegate’s acclaimed novel, The One and Only Ivan. Teachers can leverage this connection to deepen students’ understanding of character development, plot continuity, and thematic exploration across multiple texts.
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Contains Diverse Representation: The novel features a diverse cast of characters, including animals of various species and backgrounds. This diversity offers opportunities for discussions on inclusion, representation, and the celebration of differences within the classroom environment.
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Cross-Curricular Opportunities: The One and Only Bob lends itself well to cross-curricular integration. Teachers can incorporate science lessons on animal behavior, geography lessons exploring the novel’s settings, and art projects inspired by the book’s illustrations.
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Promotes Literacy Skills: Through engaging storytelling and relatable characters, The One and Only Bob fosters a love for reading and strengthens students’ literacy skills. Discussions, writing prompts, and comprehension activities related to the novel can enhance critical thinking and communication abilities.
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Encourages Emotional Resonance: The emotional depth of The One and Only Bob allows for meaningful discussions on topics such as loss, bravery, and personal growth. These discussions can nurture students’ emotional intelligence and empathy towards others.
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Relevant to Current Issues: The themes addressed in The One and Only Bob resonate with contemporary issues, making the novel a relevant and timely addition to classroom discussions on topics like environmental conservation, animal rights, and social responsibility.
You will love The One and Only Bob just as you did The One and Only Ivan, but maybe in a little bit different way. Bob brings the humor. He was the comedy of The One and Only Ivan after all! You still have the heartwarming journey of the character who is seeking acceptance of themselves, who is trying to find out where they belong in the world and who they can depend on. This journey will resonate with children who are on that same path in life, and many adults as well! Should Bob go it alone, or is it okay to rely on others, and, at the core, is it okay/safe to trust? Take your students on this journey with Bob. You won’t be sorry!
Please check out the completed The One and Only Bob Novel Study that contains both a printable and Google Drive™ compatible format available in my store.
Just as The One and Only Ivan is a favorite book to use in the classroom, The One and Only Bob is ripe for you to use as a novel study as well.
See what people are saying about The One and Only Bob Novel Study by The Teaching Bank!
Try a free sample of the novel study for The One and Only Bob
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
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