Module 4: Ivy + Bean

Summary: Ivy and Bean live across the street from each other.  Ivy always has her nose in a book and Bean is always running around active.  They know from the first time that they see each other that their is no way that they can be friends.  That is until Bean tries plays a prank on her sister and Ivy comes to her rescue.  From that point on Ivy and Bean are the best of friends.

APA Reference: Barrows, A. (2006). Ivy & Bean. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC.

Impressions: Talk about a true best friend story.  It is always interesting to hear how friends meet and Ivy & Bean are no exception.  The characters are well thought out and many kids will be able to identify with Bean and what she feels is her mean older sister.  The only child will be able to relate to Ivy. The fun that Ivy & Bean have and the adventures that they go on remind me of when kids use to play outside more and did not watch TV all day or play video games all day.  Ivy & Bean are great friends that will make the reader want to keep reading to see what the friends will do next.  

Professional Review:

IVY AND BEAN

From the "Ivy + Bean" series, volume 1

by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Age Range: 6 - 10

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)

Ivy and Bean. (2010, May 20). Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/annie-barrows/ivy-bean/

Library Uses: This book could be used as a teaser into the series of books about Ivy and Bean.