Reviews

Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows

sasha_in_a_box's review against another edition

4.0

Give this one to kids you trust have a good moral compass. If not, read together and discuss acceptable and mean-spirited pranks. Lovely friendship though!

jesssantdos's review against another edition

I don't love how mean they are. And I don't want to read that kind of mean with my girls. 

mhkloster's review against another edition

4.0

Cute story and characters. I liked the focus on an unlikely friendship and imagination/teamwork. The relationship between Bean and her older sister was unoriginal and tired. G loved it and the second book.

icygrl7's review against another edition

3.0

Cute kiddie book I think my daughter will like when she is older.

misajane79's review against another edition

3.0

For Lucy read-aloud

gingerwhaley's review against another edition

5.0

This book was a blast to read to the kids. They laughed, and I laughed! Very fun and funny.

allmadhere106's review against another edition

3.0

I had a difficult time really loving this book but it was entertaining overall. I had problems with not really liking Bean as a character. She's 7 years old, but she's mean to her sister and says nasty things about the neighbors and complains a lot. Being in her head was difficult. However, I enjoyed Ivy a lot. If the later installments have more of Ivy in it, I would be more inclined to read them. I'm curious about her story. This book also had really good illustrations that captured the moods perfectly.

For: fans of realistic fiction; readers wanting a story about friendship; younger siblings who want to get away from older siblings.

Possible red flags: sibling bickering; (not shown as real) magic; back-talking to adults and older siblings; "sneaking."

shicklin's review against another edition

2.0

I loved the size of the book, the illustration and the spunky characters for the most part. I was a little disappointed in the relationship between Bean and her older sister, and then so much of the book being focused on becoming a witch and casting spells. I had hoped this would be a good series for Emma, but when I was done, I felt a little disappointed.

happycamper12's review against another edition

4.0

Cute!

aurigae's review against another edition

3.0

The Ivy and Bean books are well-written, but I wish Bean were a more thoughtful protagonist.