Ivy & Bean by Annie Barrows, book 1
Recommended for ages 6-9
I got such a kick out of this early chapter book. Bean and Ivy are quite the characters. Ivy is new to the neighborhood, Bean is a tomboy and already has lots of friends and isn’t interested in getting to know Ivy. She has seen Ivy and noticed her long curly hair and that she always wears dresses, so she thinks they will have nothing in common. For her part Ivy isn’t interested in getting to know Bean either. When circumstances cause Bean to need a good place to hide, Ivy comes to the rescue. You can tell this is going to be quite the dynamic duo. The girls learn that their differences don’t prevent them from being good friends. There is a lot of humor, and the girls are constantly getting into mischief.
Some reviewers find this book to be too much. The girls are at times too bratty, they get dirty, they sneak around through other peoples back yards, they cause Bean’s older sister to fall in a muddy hole they dug looking for worms. They try to talk their way out of trouble, and make up stories to get out of trouble. I found the book funny and engaging, and I think children would really enjoy reading about Ivy & Bean’s adventures.
There are currently 11 books in the series. This first one is available in digital format via RBDigital and the print version is available in the Azalea Regional Library System. NF
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