* Based on a True Story: The book is inspired by the real-life story of Ivan, a gorilla who lived in a shopping mall in Washington state. The book explores themes like captivity, friendship, and the desire for freedom, mirroring the real Ivan's experience.
* Realistic Characters: Though anthropomorphized, the characters, particularly Ivan and the other animals, are portrayed with believable emotions and motivations. They face realistic challenges like loneliness, boredom, and the longing for a natural habitat.
* Themes of Animal Welfare: The book delves into the ethics of keeping animals in captivity, prompting reflection on their well-being and the impact of human actions.
* Vivid Setting: The story's setting, a mall, is a recognizable and familiar environment, adding to the book's realism.
While the story uses animals that can talk and think like humans, it remains grounded in the realities of animal captivity and the human-animal relationship. This combination of fictional elements and realistic themes makes "The One and Only Ivan" a strong example of realistic fiction.