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Ivy and Bean (by Annie Barrows)

common sense media says

A sure hit with kids starting chapter books.

parents & educators say
See all 10 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

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.

Positive messages: Differences are OK, interesting in fact. Two girls learn about each other and feel good about their new friendship.
Violence: Harmless pranks on sister. Bean "runs away" and comes back.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Ivy and Bean

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
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?

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.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Annie Barrows
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication date: April 17, 2007
Number of pages: 120
Hardcover price: $14.95
Paperback price: $5.95
Read Aloud: 5
This review was written by Pam Gelman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

6

Most useful reviews by all members

1970 dad
parent of 9 year old
9
 
great if you like witchcraft not for my girl
Yes i agree this book is about a friendship, but.. this book is strongly based on witchcraft. Some of the content is not what I would want my 9 year old exposed to, and the girls do seem to have a rather sassy attitude towards others not a role model for my girl for sure.
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helped me decide (16) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (14)
keeslerkids
adult
 
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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StaciJ
parent of 4 and 6 year old
5
 
Great First Read Aloud Chapter Books
The was our first read-aloud series after a few Ramona books. My 5-year-old LOVED all of these books. My concern listed above is just that they use the word 'stupid' every once in ahwile which we aren't allowed to use in our house. But other than that, super fun, fast reads. My daughter is anxioulsy awating the next one!
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helped me decide (12) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (11)
dancer2001
kid, 10 years old
6
 
FAVORITE SERIES!
It`s funny and fun!
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helped me decide (11) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (12)
housmore
parent of 6 year old
6
 
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helped me decide (12) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (10)
mweaver
kid, 10 years old
5
 
mweaver
this book i can read every day and i have it
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (8)
ericandles
parent of and 4 , 6 , 8 year old
6
 
Charming
This is an excellent read aloud for a family. Our three children enjoyed these books together (ages 4-8).
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (8)
nicemom13
parent of 5 and 8 year old
6
 
awesome book
It's funny because they say they won't like each other.
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (8)
Abracadebra
adult
 
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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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (9)
BCmom
parent of 3 and 6 year old
5
 
Great for reading together
We have spent an hour on the couch with this because my 5 year old daughter kept jumping up at the end of each chapter begging for "just ONE MORE chapter!"...until it was finished. This series is helping her want to learn to read on her own because when I stop reading, she keeps looking at the book to see what happens next. I recommend this as a very fun read-aloud for an emergent reader.
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