It's funny because they say they won't like each other.
Ivy and Bean
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A sure hit with kids starting chapter books.
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
This review of Ivy and Bean was written by Pam Gelman
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.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- 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?
Have you read it? Review It!
More on Ivy and Bean
Book Summary
Seven-year-old Bean gets caught playing a trick on her older sister and manages to escape thanks to the help of an unlikely ally: a "quiet" neighbor girl named Ivy. Then Ivy takes Bean to a secret hideout and reveals she's a witch-in-training. When Ivy offers to cast a "dancing spell" on Bean's older sister, Bean is thrilled. As the girls work together on their plan, a friendship is born.
Is It Any Good?
Making the jump from a short, early reader to a chapter book is a huge milestone for the beginning reader. IVY AND BEAN makes it easier with its large-print, easy-to-follow text, expressive illustrations -- and, most importantly, two colorful 7-year-old girls. Reminiscent of the classic Beverly Cleary series about Ramona, here's another book series about friendship, silliness, pranks, adventure, getting in trouble, and challenges with siblings, that's a sure hit with kids.
So typical of real life, these girls, who are neighbors, are urged by their respective mothers to play together. Ivy appears quiet, dainty, dutiful; and Bean is wild, dirty, and full of sass. Not until they join forces against Bean's older sister do they discover each other's unique qualities. Ivy is actually studying to become a witch. Bean knows how to move through the neighborhood via backyards. Here's to the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Publisher’s Details
Publisher: Chronicle Books, Publication date: 04/17/2007
Number of pages: 120, Price: $5.95 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 5, Read Alone: 6-9
Number of pages: 120, Price: $5.95 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 5, Read Alone: 6-9
Our Members Say
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Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
awesome book
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I rate this title on for age 0 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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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Terrific Series
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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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
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