Gr 1-4-Seven-year-old Bean likes stomping in puddles, climbing fences into neighbors' backyards, and playing tricks on her older sister, Nancy. She wears dresses as seldom as possible and avoids big books. Her new neighbor appears to be a quiet, orderly girl who sits on her front step day after day reading tomes. The two seem to have nothing in common, and Bean is not interested in getting to know Ivy, despite her mother's prodding to make friends with the nice girl next door. Then Bean gets into trouble, and Ivy helps her out. She discovers that Ivy is practicing to be a witch, and when they decide to cast a spell on Nancy, their friendship is sealed. With echoes of Beverly Cleary's "Ramona" series, this easy chapter book will appeal to children who are graduating from beginning readers. The occasional black-and-white illustrations highlight the text and provide visual clues. The characters are appealing, the friendship is well portrayed, and the pranks and adventures are very much on grade level.-Eve Ottenberg Stone, Cooper Lane Elementary, Landover Hills, MD Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
A charismatic duo makes their debut in this new chapter-book series. Barrows provides a fresh take on the standard odd-couple tale of friendship, with a caveat to readers of not judging a book by its cover-or the new girl by her seemingly goody image. Bean, an energetic girl with an inclination for mischief, just doesn't see the appeal of her new neighbor Ivy, whom her mother extols as such a "nice girl," which Bean readily translates to mean dull. However, when she needs to escape the wrath of her bossy sister Nancy, Bean discovers a whole new dimension to the quiet girl next door. Together Ivy and Bean concoct a plan to cast Ivy's fledgling dancing spell on Nancy, with unexpected and hilarious results. With a hearty helping of younger sibling angst, a sprinkling of spells and potions and a dash of nosy neighbors, Barrows has the perfect recipe for solidifying a newfound friendship. Blackall's saucy illustrations detailing the girls' hijinks and their calamitous outcomes are liberally featured throughout the text. Readers are bound to embrace this spunky twosome and eagerly anticipate their continuing tales of mischief and mayhem. (Fiction. 6-10)
Reader, Parent Librarian Love for Ivy Bean Chapter Books
“These books are fabulous! They remind me of Ramona books when I was a kid. We read them to our 5 year old and she loves them. They illustrate normal kid thinking processes and attitudes.”
“I read ALL of the books in this series when I was in elementary school (I am 17 now) and I absolutely LOVED them. This series truly taught me the joy in reading and creativity, as well as real social dynamics you see in everyday life (even “cheeky” ones, if you may). I highly suggest this series to all parents interested in fueling their kids' love for reading, especially young girls, as I completely adored Ivy and Bean myself!”
“This book is a must read for all young readers. The story is light, quirky, and fun, all readers will love it. It has several laugh-out-loud moments and an upbeat style that readers will love. This book does have some misbehavior, but it also shows how the characters regret their bad decisions and feel sorry about them, which kids need to learn about. I highly recommend this book!”
“Our 7 year-old daughter has really expanded her vocabulary and reading skills with these chapter books. She loves to read the books to find out what kind of “trouble” Ivy and Bean get themselves into.”
“My 7-year old granddaughter loves these books about two mismatched friends and their adventures.”
“I think my daughter loves this series because it appeals to her curious and adventurous and imaginative spirit. While my daughter loves dolls and princesses, she is strong and curious and loves to get dirty—this book series appeals to her spirit.”
“This is an amazing book. My 6 year old loves reading it.”
“This is the ONLY chapter book series that my daughter has fallen for and will re-read on her own. Honestly, the characters are sooo great, and even as an adult, I was enjoying seeing the friendship develop between Ivy and Bean, and seeing what adventures their imaginations would get them into. I find the characters very authentic.”
"Annie Barrows accomplishes the almost impossible task of reflecting the world of second graders, creating the tension and drama of family and friendships in language that can be read easily by children who recently graduated from easy readers to early chapter books. " —Lisa Von Drasek, Children's Librarian, Bank Street College of Education
BARNES NOBLE REVIEW
"Annie Barrows accomplishes the almost impossible task of reflecting the world of second grader, creating the tension and drama of family and friendships in language that can be read easily by child who recently graduated from easy readers to early chapter books." Lisa Von Drasek, Children's Librarian, Bank Street College of Education