My daughter and I both loved the spunky heroines of this book. The books (there are three in the series, and a fourth in the works) are laugh-out-loud funny, but not crude. The vocabulary can be challenging. We are big fans of various books about Mary Anning, an 18th century archaeologist, and the girls talk about her in the third book of the series, so we really enjoyed that. Highly recommended. My daughter read these books at 7, when she was ready for chapters and demanding vocabulary, but not ready to give up illustrations and largish type.
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Ivy and Bean
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A sure hit with kids starting chapter books.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 6 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence :
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Sex :
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Ivy and Bean
Parents need to know that this multiple award-winning book is about making a new friend, learning about differences, and sharing an adventure. On the surface these girls appear very different. One wears dresses and reads books, the other has a sassy mouth and likes to get dirty. Some sibling issues occur, including fights with an older sister, stealing her money, playing tricks on her, and calling her names, such as "tightwad." With its oversized print, frequent black-and-white illustrations, and easy-to-follow plot, this first book in the series is a great beginning chapter book for kids who are just emerging from early readers.
Read our full review by Pam Gelman
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the old adage, "Don't judge a book by its cover." Ivy and Bean had no interest in being friends when they met because each thought the other was too different; how are Ivy and Bean actually more similar in personality than different? Do you have friends that are just like you or different in many ways?
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Most Recent Reviews
Lives in VirginiaI rate this title on for age 5 and give itTerrific Series
- Lives in New YorkI rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Daughter loved IT!
My daughter received this book as a gift from a third grade teacher, she sat down with it and I didn't see her again until she was done! I asked how she liked it and she said she loved it. She is seven and going into second grade.
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