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Ivy & Bean #1
Ivy and Bean
The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn't be friends. But when Bean plays a joke on her sister, Nancy, and has to hide quickly, Ivy comes to the rescue, proving that sometimes the best of friends are people never meant to like each other. Vibrant characters and lots of humor make this a charming and addictive introduction to Ivy and Bean.
120 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
1,313 people are currently reading
6,778 people want to read
About the author
Annie Barrows
70Ìýbooks963ÌýfollowersAnnie grew up in Northern California, and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, with a degree in Medieval History. Unable to find a job in the middle ages, she decided upon a career as an editor, eventually landing at Chronicle Books in San Francisco, where she was in charge of "all the books that nobody in their right mind would publish." After earning an M.F.A. in Creative Writing at Mills College, Annie wrote (as Ann Fiery) a number of books for grown-ups about such diverse subjects as fortune-telling (she can read palms!), urban legends (there are no alligators in the sewer!), and opera (she knows what they're singing about!). In 2003, Annie grew weary of grown-ups, and began to write for kids, which she found to be way more fun.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,540 reviews
April 6, 2016
Cute friendship story about two different little girls learning to appreciate each. I would have liked it better if Bean hadn't been such an obnoxious little brat. I liked Ivy but Bean I wanted to slap. I vastly prefer a child protagonist like who gets in trouble because of misunderstandings or poor judgment (in ways that are totally natural for a kid her age) rather than being deliberately bad. I had a lot more sympathy for Nancy the older sister and the "mean" neighbor than I did for Bean. My siblings and I weren't angels by any means but we were nicer to each other and other children, politer, and better behaved in public than this spoiled little rotter. Crawling under strangers' dressing rooms at the store? Climbing fences into other people's property? Stealing money? Digging mud holes in the lawn and tricking people into falling into them? Throwing a frigging bucket of live worms over someone in the house? Any one of these would have gotten us more punishment than Bean gets for all of them together -- which I would guess is the appeal for children, the idea of doing all these mean things and basically getting rewarded in the end (since she makes a friend and gets a laughable token punishment of not watching videos for the week).
And I don't find any of the exploits funny except maybe Ivy pretending to be a witch, and that's been done better in earlier books. At least they only killed some worms and not the frog they wanted to catch!
I wouldn't let my kids read this book, much less play with someone like Bean.
And I don't find any of the exploits funny except maybe Ivy pretending to be a witch, and that's been done better in earlier books. At least they only killed some worms and not the frog they wanted to catch!
I wouldn't let my kids read this book, much less play with someone like Bean.
March 8, 2013
I picked up this book because it landed on so many good children's book lists. And while it wasn't a terrible book, it wasn't very good either. The lone redeemable quality of the book was the friendship that developed between Ivy and Bean, when it initially appeared that the two had very little in common. Ivy was the prim and proper book-reader and Bean, the puddle-splashing rabble-rouser.
However, it was what the relationship formed around that was troubling. The two become friends when Ivy helps Bean escape punishment for one of the many instances when she torments her older sister. Bean then discovers that Ivy wasn't reading books because she was bookish, but because she is studying to become a witch. The rest of the book involves the two of them lying and causing trouble in their attempt to cast a spell on Bean's older sister.
Kids will be kids, and that certainly involves their fair share of mischief. But unlike protagonists in other children's books (think Beverly Cleary's Ramona or Judy Blume's Fudge), Ivy and Bean revel in their misdeeds and are never called to account for them. Bean's mom even found it mildly funny that the girls threw worms in the face of her older sister.
Don't get me wrong. Kids will enjoy the book. They'll learn new names to call their siblings, like tightwad, and hear many they are probably already familiar with, like dork. The question is whether or not you want to expose them to it. I'm glad that I read it before my children, because I choose not to. There's plenty of other good ones out there.
However, it was what the relationship formed around that was troubling. The two become friends when Ivy helps Bean escape punishment for one of the many instances when she torments her older sister. Bean then discovers that Ivy wasn't reading books because she was bookish, but because she is studying to become a witch. The rest of the book involves the two of them lying and causing trouble in their attempt to cast a spell on Bean's older sister.
Kids will be kids, and that certainly involves their fair share of mischief. But unlike protagonists in other children's books (think Beverly Cleary's Ramona or Judy Blume's Fudge), Ivy and Bean revel in their misdeeds and are never called to account for them. Bean's mom even found it mildly funny that the girls threw worms in the face of her older sister.
Don't get me wrong. Kids will enjoy the book. They'll learn new names to call their siblings, like tightwad, and hear many they are probably already familiar with, like dork. The question is whether or not you want to expose them to it. I'm glad that I read it before my children, because I choose not to. There's plenty of other good ones out there.
April 19, 2021
First books that made me fall in love with reading.
I- I can't.
Pain, so much of it. Nostalgia is drowning me.
How the heck do I still remember everything that happened in this series-
My brain has decided to wake up.
And go back to sleep.
I want to cry.
I- I can't.
Pain, so much of it. Nostalgia is drowning me.
How the heck do I still remember everything that happened in this series-
My brain has decided to wake up.
And go back to sleep.
I want to cry.
November 11, 2013
I was pretty disappointed... I was hopeful that this series would help Juliette break out of her neverending Rainbow Magic obsession. She liked it, but I didn't. I guess I appreciate that the characters are fairly realistic children, and I did love the illustrations. But, an awful lot of unkind language (dumb, stupid, booger-head) and behavior. Not that I want all children's books to be moralistic, but really: I do not really need her looking up to a character who throws a handful of worms at her sister's face and laughs about it, and worries only about how much trouble she will get into. Bean struck me as a smarter, meaner Ramona Quimby. I'd take Ramona any day. I might even prefer the rainbow fairies.
May 4, 2012
I made the mistake of not previewing this book before reading aloud to my kids! Someone recommended it to us, so I didn't hesitate to start reading this book with the cute cover. It starts out innocently about two very different girls who don't think they would like each other and then become good friends. That's about the only good thing about this book. Bean is trouble - she lies, steals & runs away. This book uses "name calling" words that I would rather not add to my children's vocabulary: tightwad, freak, dork, crummy, burp face, wimp, goofy, pain in the kazoo, etc... I think you get the point! Also, Bean pretends to be a ghost as a practical joke & Ivy is trying to learn to be a witch. Between the witchcraft, name calling, bratty behavior and disrespect for other people; I naturally had to stop reading. I could only change so much on the fly as I was reading aloud. I asked my kids what they thought of the book and if I should stop reading. They both agreed that Bean was not kind and said some rude things. My 5 yo said, "This book is definitely not appropriate for us! Please stop reading!" I guess the only positive thing about this book is I taught my children how to discern whether or not a book is appropriate for them and it's ok to stop reading in the middle! I won't make this mistake again, ugh!
November 10, 2019
Been reading these with my 8 year old daughter, we alternate pages, She loves them. I have now read it again with my youngest almost 4 years to the date later.
... Full review to below.
.
.
.
I have read this book twice, four years apart almost to the week. First with my oldest daughter and then with my youngest daughter. My son who is between the girls has shown no interest to the books, but he did listen as his sister read it to me. I read this to the oldest, and the youngest has read it to me. I have also read 2 other titles in the series with my oldest. I have mixed feelings about these books. I like that my children like them. My oldest was a reluctant reader and we alternated pages. And my youngest is just really getting into reading her own books. I love that the kids like and enjoy these books and want to read them. My youngest got the first 4 as hand me downs and is already planning on buying the rest. But the story itself is a little questionable.
In this story the mothers of both Ivy and Bean (Bernice) have been telling them they should become friends. They live across a cul-de-sac from each other. But both girls have hesitations and have not bothered acting on the advice. Until the day Bean is about to get in big trouble, and Ivy encourages her to run from her older sister who is getting their mother. And helps bean to hide and formulate a plan. Ivy believes she is a witch and from the set up of her room she has fairly liberal parents. She has a spell book she got from an aunt that is over 100 years old. The two plot to put a spell on Bean’s sister to force her to dance non-stop. To do so they need worms, lots and lots of worms.
There is something witchy about their friendship. And Ivy, who outwardly appears ‘normal� but inwardly reminds me of Wednesday Addams. And Bean seems a little awkward and weird on the outside but seems to just be a kid with a knack for getting in trouble. We are told that “The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn't be friends.� But circumstances brought them together and a bond was formed. A bond that now spans 11 books.
The books are a great leveled reader. Both my girls read it the first month of grade 4. At grade 4 if reading at grade level this book should be an easy read. If they are a little behind grade level, they will need some help. But both girls love the book and the story. But I had to want my youngest that it is a story and not an instructional manual, she cannot do to her sister what bean did to hers! And I have a feeling based on my youngest that I will be reading the whole series soon.
Note: My youngest read the paperback to me, and I followed along on my phone. The pictures are much larger and integrated into the text in the print edition.
Read the review on my blog .
... Full review to below.
.
.
.
I have read this book twice, four years apart almost to the week. First with my oldest daughter and then with my youngest daughter. My son who is between the girls has shown no interest to the books, but he did listen as his sister read it to me. I read this to the oldest, and the youngest has read it to me. I have also read 2 other titles in the series with my oldest. I have mixed feelings about these books. I like that my children like them. My oldest was a reluctant reader and we alternated pages. And my youngest is just really getting into reading her own books. I love that the kids like and enjoy these books and want to read them. My youngest got the first 4 as hand me downs and is already planning on buying the rest. But the story itself is a little questionable.
In this story the mothers of both Ivy and Bean (Bernice) have been telling them they should become friends. They live across a cul-de-sac from each other. But both girls have hesitations and have not bothered acting on the advice. Until the day Bean is about to get in big trouble, and Ivy encourages her to run from her older sister who is getting their mother. And helps bean to hide and formulate a plan. Ivy believes she is a witch and from the set up of her room she has fairly liberal parents. She has a spell book she got from an aunt that is over 100 years old. The two plot to put a spell on Bean’s sister to force her to dance non-stop. To do so they need worms, lots and lots of worms.
There is something witchy about their friendship. And Ivy, who outwardly appears ‘normal� but inwardly reminds me of Wednesday Addams. And Bean seems a little awkward and weird on the outside but seems to just be a kid with a knack for getting in trouble. We are told that “The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn't be friends.� But circumstances brought them together and a bond was formed. A bond that now spans 11 books.
The books are a great leveled reader. Both my girls read it the first month of grade 4. At grade 4 if reading at grade level this book should be an easy read. If they are a little behind grade level, they will need some help. But both girls love the book and the story. But I had to want my youngest that it is a story and not an instructional manual, she cannot do to her sister what bean did to hers! And I have a feeling based on my youngest that I will be reading the whole series soon.
Note: My youngest read the paperback to me, and I followed along on my phone. The pictures are much larger and integrated into the text in the print edition.
Read the review on my blog .
July 10, 2017
I bought this book for my 5 year old niece and wanted to read it before giving it to her; WHAT an adorable little book!!! I loved reading it and she will love having it and learning to read it. It will be so much fun to get her the rest of the series!
October 12, 2019
Cute. A day in the life of mischievous and imaginative girls.
My tutoring student loved this book - she's in the 4th grade reading about at the 2nd grade level. Good early chapter book - font is large, frequent pictures.
My tutoring student loved this book - she's in the 4th grade reading about at the 2nd grade level. Good early chapter book - font is large, frequent pictures.
January 19, 2020
This is my first experience reading about this duo. It might not be the last. The story was cute enough, and I thought the girls' characters were done pretty well.
Bean wants to play a joke on her sister, but it backfires and Bean has to hide out for a while until Nancy has cooled off. She ends up roped into a scheme with Ivy, the little girl who lives across the street (and who Bean's mother has been pestering her to go and play with), to cast a witchy spell. As the girls move through the neighbourhood, encountering a variety of neighbours in their quest for spell ingredients, they grow closer (as little kids do when they're engaged in a common activity), and by the end of it all, when Bean's suffering through some well-earned discipline for her part in the plot, the two girls are friends.
I'm not sure why I didn't love this more than I did. Maybe it's because it's intended for young readers and it reads like it (unlike, say, Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson series, which has enough humour and heart to engage older readers as well). Maybe it's just the illustrations. I've seen Blackall's work before, but I just don't like it here. The characters are... well, ugly, for lack of a better word. Maybe if the pictures had been in full colour, like the cover, I would've liked them a little more; the black-and-white illustrations just seem flat and kind of rushed.
Overall, though, this would probably be a good series for kids who are beginning to read chapter books. It'll probably be little girls who read this, simply because of the gender of the two main characters (although the story itself isn't really "girly").
Bean wants to play a joke on her sister, but it backfires and Bean has to hide out for a while until Nancy has cooled off. She ends up roped into a scheme with Ivy, the little girl who lives across the street (and who Bean's mother has been pestering her to go and play with), to cast a witchy spell. As the girls move through the neighbourhood, encountering a variety of neighbours in their quest for spell ingredients, they grow closer (as little kids do when they're engaged in a common activity), and by the end of it all, when Bean's suffering through some well-earned discipline for her part in the plot, the two girls are friends.
I'm not sure why I didn't love this more than I did. Maybe it's because it's intended for young readers and it reads like it (unlike, say, Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson series, which has enough humour and heart to engage older readers as well). Maybe it's just the illustrations. I've seen Blackall's work before, but I just don't like it here. The characters are... well, ugly, for lack of a better word. Maybe if the pictures had been in full colour, like the cover, I would've liked them a little more; the black-and-white illustrations just seem flat and kind of rushed.
Overall, though, this would probably be a good series for kids who are beginning to read chapter books. It'll probably be little girls who read this, simply because of the gender of the two main characters (although the story itself isn't really "girly").
April 29, 2015
This is a great book for children, aged 6,7,8.
Ivy and Bean are opposites...or at least Bean (born Bernice) thinks that they are. Until certain circumstances let her get to know Ivy better.
The illustrations in this book are great, although sometimes ugly. There is one picture where Bean looks just like a demon, and it gives me the heebie-jeebies. The artist plays up Ivy and Bean's differences by representing them physically: Ivy is taller, with long, red hair. Bean is short and dark with dark, short hair.
Bean is a total wild one. She loves playing with other kids, being outdoors, getting dirty, and playing practical jokes. She uses "rough" language for a kid, calling people dorks, turkeys, etc. She assumes Ivy is a wimpy priss just because she wears dresses and reads a lot.
Ivy has a wild side, too. Because she reads a lot she has a lot of crazy ideas. She is teaching herself to be a witch. She goes around putting spells on people and plans to make a secret potion lab in her room.
When Ivy and Bean meet up and slowly become friends, they are a force to be reckoned with. No one can stop them. They can take on the world together.
The girls' thought processes, language, and conversations are very realistic and well-written. Barrows has done a great job of getting into a 7-year-old's mind.
Ivy and Bean are opposites...or at least Bean (born Bernice) thinks that they are. Until certain circumstances let her get to know Ivy better.
The illustrations in this book are great, although sometimes ugly. There is one picture where Bean looks just like a demon, and it gives me the heebie-jeebies. The artist plays up Ivy and Bean's differences by representing them physically: Ivy is taller, with long, red hair. Bean is short and dark with dark, short hair.
Bean is a total wild one. She loves playing with other kids, being outdoors, getting dirty, and playing practical jokes. She uses "rough" language for a kid, calling people dorks, turkeys, etc. She assumes Ivy is a wimpy priss just because she wears dresses and reads a lot.
Ivy has a wild side, too. Because she reads a lot she has a lot of crazy ideas. She is teaching herself to be a witch. She goes around putting spells on people and plans to make a secret potion lab in her room.
When Ivy and Bean meet up and slowly become friends, they are a force to be reckoned with. No one can stop them. They can take on the world together.
The girls' thought processes, language, and conversations are very realistic and well-written. Barrows has done a great job of getting into a 7-year-old's mind.
May 24, 2016
"The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn't be friends. But when Bean plays a joke on her sister, Nancy, and has to hide quickly, Ivy comes to the rescue, proving that sometimes the best of friends are people never meant to like each other. Vibrant characters and lots of humor make this a charming and addictive introduction to Ivy and Bean."
This was a cute story and I excited to read it with my students.
This was a cute story and I excited to read it with my students.
December 8, 2012
I had heard so much about these books from kids. Last year, my son read all that he could get his hands on. My son's friends talk about them because their teacher is reading them to the class. They all say how much they love these books, how funny they are, how much they love when the teacher reads them. We were at the book store and my son wanted me to buy him one, so I did. When his older brother said: What do you want that for? It's a girls' book. My younger son turned around and said: No, it's not. It's a good book.
Now, my younger daughter asked me to read this one to her. She loves it. She begs me for "just one more chapter" and wants to read all of them. And, I have to admit, after years of reading books to my kids, I've found Ivy and Bean to be among the best of the early chapter books, and I can see the appeal for both boys and girls.
Ivy and Bean don't think that they will ever be friends because they are so different, but when they get together for a common cause, they find that friendship is about more than being the same as someone else and you never know what will happen when you give people a chance.
The book is also filled with humour and imagination. Ivy and Bean quickly create their own world, something which kids naturally do. The kids are also silly, get in trouble, get dirty... They do all of the things kids do.
The illustrations really add to the book. There are pictures every few pages, simple drawings, but they also add to the tone of the story and make the book accessible as an early chapter book for kids.
Even though this book is about two girls, I can see the appeal for boys too. It is simply a good book, as my wise son said.
Now, my younger daughter asked me to read this one to her. She loves it. She begs me for "just one more chapter" and wants to read all of them. And, I have to admit, after years of reading books to my kids, I've found Ivy and Bean to be among the best of the early chapter books, and I can see the appeal for both boys and girls.
Ivy and Bean don't think that they will ever be friends because they are so different, but when they get together for a common cause, they find that friendship is about more than being the same as someone else and you never know what will happen when you give people a chance.
The book is also filled with humour and imagination. Ivy and Bean quickly create their own world, something which kids naturally do. The kids are also silly, get in trouble, get dirty... They do all of the things kids do.
The illustrations really add to the book. There are pictures every few pages, simple drawings, but they also add to the tone of the story and make the book accessible as an early chapter book for kids.
Even though this book is about two girls, I can see the appeal for boys too. It is simply a good book, as my wise son said.
December 8, 2020
Bean is seven year old and her mother insists on playing with their neighbor Ivy who is also bean's age. Bean doesn't want to play with her because she thinks that Ivy is nice and nice means boring. Bean is always up to mischief. Then one day Bean ends up going to Ivy's house and slowly they strike up a friendship.
This was a terrible read. It has nothing going for it except the girls� friendship. I don't know how it has such higher ratings and reviews praising it.
1 star
This was a terrible read. It has nothing going for it except the girls� friendship. I don't know how it has such higher ratings and reviews praising it.
1 star
November 15, 2011
This book was recommended to my niece, nephew, and me by , and it was a good recommendation! My niece loved this book! I think she identified with the main characters. She understood their friendship and their motivations, and enjoyed the growth of their relationship. She was excited by the story almost immediately, and urged me to read multiple chapters to her in one sitting, which is rare.
My nephew also listened to the story, and he seemed to enjoy it to a certain extent. He seemed to have a surprisingly good grasp on the complexities of the sibling relationship, and really seemed to identify with Bean's frustration with her older sister (no surprise there). He did tell me he didn't like the book, but for a four year old, he sure did sit quietly and listen to me read it!
This was one of the more entertaining and compelling chapter books for budding readers that I've read in a long time. The girls are complex and realistic, and their friendship is endearing. The story is very well written, and there is a nice balance between pictures and text. I really enjoyed this book as a story. That said, though, the responsible adult in me noted that the girls do kind of push the boundaries of "acceptable behavior," so parents may wish to screen the to determine if they are appropriate for their kids.
My nephew also listened to the story, and he seemed to enjoy it to a certain extent. He seemed to have a surprisingly good grasp on the complexities of the sibling relationship, and really seemed to identify with Bean's frustration with her older sister (no surprise there). He did tell me he didn't like the book, but for a four year old, he sure did sit quietly and listen to me read it!
This was one of the more entertaining and compelling chapter books for budding readers that I've read in a long time. The girls are complex and realistic, and their friendship is endearing. The story is very well written, and there is a nice balance between pictures and text. I really enjoyed this book as a story. That said, though, the responsible adult in me noted that the girls do kind of push the boundaries of "acceptable behavior," so parents may wish to screen the to determine if they are appropriate for their kids.
June 1, 2009
I am very mixed about this. It is a great starting point for beginning readers because of the illustrations on every other page, but it is definitely not a book I want to read to my daughter. Like with Junie B. Jones, I don't like reading out loud about girls who aspire to make trouble. But as a "see I'm not the only one" find for kids it has a place in comforting kids who feel misunderstood or alone or whatever. I will have to reread some Ramona books to see how I feel about those as a grown up. I loved them as a kid. If I still love them as an adult, then I'll chalk Ivy and Bean into the not as good writing column as could be for this age and idea. Otherwise, I'll just admit I'm too old and praise this book more highly.
October 11, 2017
A cute Juvenile literature. Fun and I should read this with my future daughter. LOL
May 12, 2019
Story: 3 stars. Nice start to a friendship between two young girls.
Illustrations: 4 stars. I like Sophie Blackall’s work, which is why I opened this book.
=> 3.5 stars.
Illustrations: 4 stars. I like Sophie Blackall’s work, which is why I opened this book.
=> 3.5 stars.
May 24, 2016
Eleanor read these books...
Dad: Eleanor, how long ago did you first read these books?
Eleanor: Um... The first time I read it was when I was in Pre-School. ...Well, I listened to it when I was in Pre-School.
Dad: How many years ago was that?
Eleanor: Five.
*I can't believe it's been five years since Pre-School. I can't believe it's been 5 years since she's first read these books. Crazy.*
Dad: Eleanor, do you still like them?
Eleanor: Yes. I do still like them.
Dad: When was the last time you'd listened to them before I read them out loud?
Eleanor: Maybe when I was eight. ...Last year...
*So, I checked out a whole bunch of books from the library - books I thought the girls would like. I knew Eleanor loved these when she was younger, so I checked the first one out.*
Dad: I'm going to ask you all some questions about the book now, okay?
All: Ok.
Dad: Poppy, what was your favorite part of Ivy and Bean?
Poppy: When they were getting the worms. Lah-Doe. ...Dad, I said Lah-Doe.
Dad: *Laughs at the worms part... confused about Lah-Doe* Poppy, what does Lah-Doe mean?
Poppy: Lah-Doe means that we get to have presents. When it's our birthday, I say "Lah-Doe" and then we get presents. So, when we're done eating cake, I say "Lah-Doe" that way we get presents.
Dad: ... ...Ok. Gwen.
*Poppy now has Gwen's ear, talking about rubber bands for some reason.*
Gwen: My favorite part was *smiles really big* when Nancy wanted to get her ears pierced.
Eleanor: Gwen! You have your ears pierced.
Dad: Gwen, is that why you liked it?
Gwen: Uhhhh.... Yeah.
Dad: How old is Nancy?
Gwen: Nine?
Dad: So, did you like it because you're younger than nine, and you were already allowed to get your ears pierced?
Gwen: Nooooo...
Eleanor: Dad. Dad, wait. I think Nancy was eleven.
Dad: Good to know. Gwen, so why did you like it then, if that wasn't the reason.
Gwen: Because that makes the book more interesting.
Dad: Do you think Nancy's parents should have let her get her ears pierced?
Poppy: No.
Gwen: ...Maybe?
Poppy: Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.
Eleanor: I was just thinking of There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom - the review we wrote for it. I was thinking of the asides you put on it, you put an aside that said, "scared" and you put in another that said "crammed on the bench," but Poppy hadn't really said that. Do you remember? I thought of Poppy saying the things that you put in the asides, but she didn't really say them.
*The kids often try to add things to these reviews. Right now Gwen and Poppy are repeating, "Goo Goo Ga Ga" to try to get me to write it in the review, but it's not going to work.*
Dad: Eleanor, what about you? Is your favorite part today the same as your favorite part when you read it five years ago, or has it changed... Or have you changed?
Eleanor: ...I think I've changed some. And, I think that my. favorite. part. *thinking* is when Nancy danced on the worm pit. I didn't understand the dancing spell when I was younger. Five years ago, I thought that you put on a costume and the vest made you dance around.
Dad: So, what really makes you dance around?
Eleanor: The pit.
Dad: What do you mean?
Eleanor: I mean, like... Like you stand on the edge of the pit, then you kick your legs and waggle your arms.
Dad: Why do you do that?
Eleanor: I don't know. Maybe if you want to do the dancing spell, you stand on the edge of the pit and wave your arms and do the dancing spell.
Dad: I don't think she was really dancing.
Eleanor: Me neither.
Dad: What was she doing?
Eleanor: She was trying to keep her balance.
Dad: Just checking. *Smiles to himself.*
Dad: You know something guys? I liked this book more than I thought I would.
Eleanor: I don't know why, but when I first read it, I was eating Cracklin. But every time I listened to it after that, I was eating a snack while I listened... and I felt like I was eating Cracklin, even if I wasn't. ...Hey... Do you remember at the end of CDs when it would say, "Thank you. For being a ReCORDed Books Reader?"
Dad: Yeah.
Eleanor: I think Ivy and Bean was one of those books. ...I always liked that.
[image error]
Dad: Eleanor, how long ago did you first read these books?
Eleanor: Um... The first time I read it was when I was in Pre-School. ...Well, I listened to it when I was in Pre-School.
Dad: How many years ago was that?
Eleanor: Five.
*I can't believe it's been five years since Pre-School. I can't believe it's been 5 years since she's first read these books. Crazy.*
Dad: Eleanor, do you still like them?
Eleanor: Yes. I do still like them.
Dad: When was the last time you'd listened to them before I read them out loud?
Eleanor: Maybe when I was eight. ...Last year...
*So, I checked out a whole bunch of books from the library - books I thought the girls would like. I knew Eleanor loved these when she was younger, so I checked the first one out.*
Dad: I'm going to ask you all some questions about the book now, okay?
All: Ok.
Dad: Poppy, what was your favorite part of Ivy and Bean?
Poppy: When they were getting the worms. Lah-Doe. ...Dad, I said Lah-Doe.
Dad: *Laughs at the worms part... confused about Lah-Doe* Poppy, what does Lah-Doe mean?
Poppy: Lah-Doe means that we get to have presents. When it's our birthday, I say "Lah-Doe" and then we get presents. So, when we're done eating cake, I say "Lah-Doe" that way we get presents.
Dad: ... ...Ok. Gwen.
*Poppy now has Gwen's ear, talking about rubber bands for some reason.*
Gwen: My favorite part was *smiles really big* when Nancy wanted to get her ears pierced.
Eleanor: Gwen! You have your ears pierced.
Dad: Gwen, is that why you liked it?
Gwen: Uhhhh.... Yeah.
Dad: How old is Nancy?
Gwen: Nine?
Dad: So, did you like it because you're younger than nine, and you were already allowed to get your ears pierced?
Gwen: Nooooo...
Eleanor: Dad. Dad, wait. I think Nancy was eleven.
Dad: Good to know. Gwen, so why did you like it then, if that wasn't the reason.
Gwen: Because that makes the book more interesting.
Dad: Do you think Nancy's parents should have let her get her ears pierced?
Poppy: No.
Gwen: ...Maybe?
Poppy: Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.
Eleanor: I was just thinking of There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom - the review we wrote for it. I was thinking of the asides you put on it, you put an aside that said, "scared" and you put in another that said "crammed on the bench," but Poppy hadn't really said that. Do you remember? I thought of Poppy saying the things that you put in the asides, but she didn't really say them.
*The kids often try to add things to these reviews. Right now Gwen and Poppy are repeating, "Goo Goo Ga Ga" to try to get me to write it in the review, but it's not going to work.*
Dad: Eleanor, what about you? Is your favorite part today the same as your favorite part when you read it five years ago, or has it changed... Or have you changed?
Eleanor: ...I think I've changed some. And, I think that my. favorite. part. *thinking* is when Nancy danced on the worm pit. I didn't understand the dancing spell when I was younger. Five years ago, I thought that you put on a costume and the vest made you dance around.
Dad: So, what really makes you dance around?
Eleanor: The pit.
Dad: What do you mean?
Eleanor: I mean, like... Like you stand on the edge of the pit, then you kick your legs and waggle your arms.
Dad: Why do you do that?
Eleanor: I don't know. Maybe if you want to do the dancing spell, you stand on the edge of the pit and wave your arms and do the dancing spell.
Dad: I don't think she was really dancing.
Eleanor: Me neither.
Dad: What was she doing?
Eleanor: She was trying to keep her balance.
Dad: Just checking. *Smiles to himself.*
Dad: You know something guys? I liked this book more than I thought I would.
Eleanor: I don't know why, but when I first read it, I was eating Cracklin. But every time I listened to it after that, I was eating a snack while I listened... and I felt like I was eating Cracklin, even if I wasn't. ...Hey... Do you remember at the end of CDs when it would say, "Thank you. For being a ReCORDed Books Reader?"
Dad: Yeah.
Eleanor: I think Ivy and Bean was one of those books. ...I always liked that.
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October 8, 2008
I read this book to my five-year-old daughter, and we both giggled our way through the entire read. The dialogue and characters were delightful, but more than that, the book had a very good lesson--don't judge people based on appearances and pre-conceived notions. The main character, Bean, doesn't want to befriend her new neighbor, despite her mother's urgings, because she thinks the new gal is "boring" and too girly. By the end of the book, however, Bean and Ivy have become fast friends...
June 9, 2017
My nearly 8-year old enjoyed this story very much and found it very funny. She loved the cute illustrations and would go and back forth to check details as the story progressed. Ivy and Bean are two very interesting 7-year olds and I can see that we'll be reading many more of their adventures.
I liked the fact that it is about friendship and the magic that forms part of every young child's imagination.
I liked the fact that it is about friendship and the magic that forms part of every young child's imagination.
November 15, 2009
Ivy and Bean
2nd -5th grade
Blackall used black and white pencil drawings to tell the story which I thought perfectly represented the relationship between Ivy and Bean. This color choice stood for the differences between the girls yet black and white compliment each other very well as do the girls. The sentences are longer and take up much of the space on the page. The friendship story line is one that any child could appreciate but young girls may be more attracted to this book merely due to the fact that the main characters are female.
Science or Language Arts
Language Arts Example: Students could write a story about how they met their best friends and describe in detail the characteristics that they like about that person.
2nd -5th grade
Blackall used black and white pencil drawings to tell the story which I thought perfectly represented the relationship between Ivy and Bean. This color choice stood for the differences between the girls yet black and white compliment each other very well as do the girls. The sentences are longer and take up much of the space on the page. The friendship story line is one that any child could appreciate but young girls may be more attracted to this book merely due to the fact that the main characters are female.
Science or Language Arts
Language Arts Example: Students could write a story about how they met their best friends and describe in detail the characteristics that they like about that person.
January 26, 2012
My daughter received the Ivy & Bean box set for her sixth birthday and we finished the first book in 3 nights. She loved it and cannot wait to start the next book. The concept of two very different little girls becoming close friends in spite of their differences is certainly attractive. I had to censor a bit of language in the book. There is a good amount of name calling (especially between Bean and older sister Nancy), and Bean is not particularly nice in the beginning of the book. My daughter thought the potty humor was absolutely hysterical - Ivy burps and pretends to gag to get out of a situation. Maybe the stories are more appropriate for a slightly older child, as this was my daughter's first exposure to certain pranks and to hostility between sisters (she is my oldest).
June 16, 2013
These are by far our favorite young-reader chapter books. The 8th book is our favorite--if you only read one of the series, read that one, it makes me laugh so hard I have to stop reading to catch my breath. We're always looking for another series as good as this one. Kate makes me read a chapter every night before bed, we work our way through all 9 books then start again.
March 13, 2018
My daughter loves this series. At first the name calling the characters do seemed inappropriate but now I see it as realistic and the kids relate to it so c'est la vie.
March 4, 2019
The eponymous Ivy and Bean discover that sometimes appearances can be deceiving in this amusing first entry in Annie Barrows' series of easy chapter-books for the primary school set. Although each is encouraged to play with the other by their respective mothers - who foolishly trot out the old "she seems like such a nice girl" line - they resist, until circumstances intervene, in the form of Bean on the run from the consequences of her latest stunt, and they are thrown together. The irrepressible Bean, who has something of a penchant for trouble (especially if it involves teasing her older sister, Nancy), discovers that just because her new neighbor wears a skirt, and has her nose stuck perpetually in a book, doesn't mean that she's boring; while Ivy, intent on becoming a witch - if studying can bring it about, it will happen! - learns that Bean is anything but the sweet paragon held up to her.
I was curious to see what I would make of this story, after reading a friend's negative review, which compared the character of Bean unfavorably with Beverly Cleary's Ramona, so when I found myself stuck in the city the other day with nothing to read, and happened upon a book-sale, I snapped up the first few volumes of the series. All in all, although I came away with some concerns, I wasn't as disturbed as my friend. I like stories about little girls that aren't sweet - think Ramona, Clementine, or Junie B. Jones - as I think that the social pressure on girls and women, to just be nice (all the time! no matter what!) are still very strong. I found Bean an engaging character (I liked Ivy a lot too), and laughed at many of her outrageous escapades. Most importantly, I didn't find her irredeemably bad - she had a conscience, she (sometimes) knew she was doing wrong, even if that didn't stop her - so much as realistically human. Then again, I fought like cats and dogs with my own closest sister (we are sixteen months apart) as a girl, so perhaps I identified with that aspect of the story, even if I agree (and I do!) that Bean's parents are a little too lax.
In sum: I found this an engaging read, one that I think will appeal to young girl readers - particularly the ones that get into scrapes - and I also appreciated the charming artwork by Sophie Blackall.
I was curious to see what I would make of this story, after reading a friend's negative review, which compared the character of Bean unfavorably with Beverly Cleary's Ramona, so when I found myself stuck in the city the other day with nothing to read, and happened upon a book-sale, I snapped up the first few volumes of the series. All in all, although I came away with some concerns, I wasn't as disturbed as my friend. I like stories about little girls that aren't sweet - think Ramona, Clementine, or Junie B. Jones - as I think that the social pressure on girls and women, to just be nice (all the time! no matter what!) are still very strong. I found Bean an engaging character (I liked Ivy a lot too), and laughed at many of her outrageous escapades. Most importantly, I didn't find her irredeemably bad - she had a conscience, she (sometimes) knew she was doing wrong, even if that didn't stop her - so much as realistically human. Then again, I fought like cats and dogs with my own closest sister (we are sixteen months apart) as a girl, so perhaps I identified with that aspect of the story, even if I agree (and I do!) that Bean's parents are a little too lax.
In sum: I found this an engaging read, one that I think will appeal to young girl readers - particularly the ones that get into scrapes - and I also appreciated the charming artwork by Sophie Blackall.
September 24, 2018
I bought this book at Target for my niece for her 8th birthday.
I liked that the characters were close to her age and seemed believable, and the 100 page length, black and white illustrations throughout, and amount of text are at the level she’s reading. However, I’ve decided not to give this book to her. I found the characters too unlikable, mean-spirited and obnoxious, and I think my niece would feel the same way. Bean doesn’t want to be friends with Ivy because she seems too nice and likes to read. Bean calls her older sister a “tightwad�, steals money from her to play a mean-spirited prank on her, and runs away to avoid punishment. I hoped Ivy would redeem her, and the book. But no, she’s studying to be a witch, had dug a hole in her backyard hoping to have a frog die in it so she can use it in a spell, and when the girls get together, they try to catch worms to put a mean spell on Bean’s sister. Bean feels bad for the worms, but Ivy is more ruthless. At one point, Bean again feels a little bad when she sees her sister crying, but when she finds out it’s not about her, she goes back to wanting to put a spell on her. Even when she does something awful to her sister, there are barely any repercussions.
I don’t think characters should be perfect Pollyannas, and maybe some kids would identify with or be amused by the antics of these two girls who seem to bond over getting into trouble. But they were so lacking in redeeming qualities that they just didn’t strike me as characters that I or my niece want to spend time with.
I liked that the characters were close to her age and seemed believable, and the 100 page length, black and white illustrations throughout, and amount of text are at the level she’s reading. However, I’ve decided not to give this book to her. I found the characters too unlikable, mean-spirited and obnoxious, and I think my niece would feel the same way. Bean doesn’t want to be friends with Ivy because she seems too nice and likes to read. Bean calls her older sister a “tightwad�, steals money from her to play a mean-spirited prank on her, and runs away to avoid punishment. I hoped Ivy would redeem her, and the book. But no, she’s studying to be a witch, had dug a hole in her backyard hoping to have a frog die in it so she can use it in a spell, and when the girls get together, they try to catch worms to put a mean spell on Bean’s sister. Bean feels bad for the worms, but Ivy is more ruthless. At one point, Bean again feels a little bad when she sees her sister crying, but when she finds out it’s not about her, she goes back to wanting to put a spell on her. Even when she does something awful to her sister, there are barely any repercussions.
I don’t think characters should be perfect Pollyannas, and maybe some kids would identify with or be amused by the antics of these two girls who seem to bond over getting into trouble. But they were so lacking in redeeming qualities that they just didn’t strike me as characters that I or my niece want to spend time with.
March 5, 2011
This is a sweet story about friendship and how it can be found in people you might not expect or welcome into your life, and that it can be forged by letting your imagination go! Ivy and Bean are two little girls who live across the street from each other, with mothers who keep encouraging them to become friends. Bean who likes to climb trees, have adventures and says reading books makes her "jumpy" thinks that Ivy must be boring because she sits on her front porch in a dress reading books every day. But when Bean needs find refugefrom her older sister after a prank goes south, she finds herself at Ivy's. Ivy says she make the older sister do tricks through her magic, and the two dress her up complete with a wand, and find that they share a great imagination and can be friends. This is the first installment of a series by Annie Barrows with black and white drawings by Sophie Blackall. It is written with great humor, making it more inviting to young students, with good description of the actions of all the characters and lots of expressive dialogue, and for those reasons would be a nice example as a model text for writing, active reading, etc. Although all the characters are female, I think boys could still get involved in relationship between the two siblings, the humor of Bean's take on things and the blend of reality with imagination that enables to the girls to be friends and have adventures.
February 22, 2011
I listened to this story on CD.
Ivy and Bean live on the same block and their mother's encourage them to become friends, yet both girl's are reluctant. They see each other as opposites. Ivy wears dresses often, reads many books and seems content entertaining herself, while Bean wears shorts and t-shirts, prefers to play in large groups of children of all ages, and constantly and often purposefully antagonizes her older sister. After a chance encounter, Ivy begins to help Bean hide from her parents when she thinks she is in trouble. The girls learn that they do have some things in common, and they end up enjoying each other's company while making plans for their next adventure.
I enjoyed this simple friendship story. When the girls were speaking, the dialog sounded real and their antics also seemed realistic for seven years olds. The dynamics of different relationships could be looked at with this book; te girls' friendship, the two sisters' relationship, how the mothers relate to the girls, even the grouchy neighbor whose yard the girls take a short-cut through. Although I enjoyed this story, I didn't particularly like listening to it on a CD. It was narrated by a young girl's voice and I found it hard for my mind not to wander. I would have liked different voices for at least the main characters.
Ivy and Bean live on the same block and their mother's encourage them to become friends, yet both girl's are reluctant. They see each other as opposites. Ivy wears dresses often, reads many books and seems content entertaining herself, while Bean wears shorts and t-shirts, prefers to play in large groups of children of all ages, and constantly and often purposefully antagonizes her older sister. After a chance encounter, Ivy begins to help Bean hide from her parents when she thinks she is in trouble. The girls learn that they do have some things in common, and they end up enjoying each other's company while making plans for their next adventure.
I enjoyed this simple friendship story. When the girls were speaking, the dialog sounded real and their antics also seemed realistic for seven years olds. The dynamics of different relationships could be looked at with this book; te girls' friendship, the two sisters' relationship, how the mothers relate to the girls, even the grouchy neighbor whose yard the girls take a short-cut through. Although I enjoyed this story, I didn't particularly like listening to it on a CD. It was narrated by a young girl's voice and I found it hard for my mind not to wander. I would have liked different voices for at least the main characters.
December 21, 2012
The main character Bean is one of the naughtiest children I've read about in awhile. I should have read the story myself before reading it with my daughter. I had to censor way too much of this book for a short 120 pager written for children. An example of a little girls making poor choices that hurt other people (stealing) and passing judgment with no information are not examples of a "heroin" I want to expose my daughters too.
On a positive note my daughter thought it was super funny. But of course she did. She knew we were reading something that wouldn't normally have been pulled off the shelf. The book has sparked a lot of conversation about kindness and how NOT to behave.
Bottom line, skip this book.
On a positive note my daughter thought it was super funny. But of course she did. She knew we were reading something that wouldn't normally have been pulled off the shelf. The book has sparked a lot of conversation about kindness and how NOT to behave.
Bottom line, skip this book.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
August 11, 2018Ok. Probably it is a good book for kids, but (in my opinion) only for kids. I mean I wasn't interested in finishing it. You know, there are books for children which an adult has the same (sometimes even bigger) joy from (e.g. , or ). This one isn't one of them. Nonetheless, from what I have read it is a well-written book for kids.
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