Module 4/Realistic Fiction/June 23-29
Ivy+Bean by Annie Barrows
Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Barrows, A. (2006). Ivy + Bean. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.
Summary
Ivy and Bean are two girls who live on the same street but are very different. Not only do they look different with Ivy and her long red hair and Bean with her short black hair, but their personalities are different as well. Bean is crazy and mischievous and Ivy is reserved and a bookworm, or so Bean thinks. After Bean tries to play a prank on her sister Nancy and it fails, Ivy comes in to save the day. Bean learns about Ivy becoming a witch and trying to cast spells. The girls decide to cast a spell on Nancy but it involves getting lots of worms. The girls climb a lot of fences to get to Bean's (and they get in trouble on the way) but finally make it there and dig a hole to get out the worms. They find Nancy crying through the window and although Bean begins to feel bad because Nancy may be crying about her, come to find out she is crying because she wants to get her ears pierced. This makes Bean so mad that when Nancy comes out to get her, Bean throws worms in her face. Ivy and Bean run around the yard and finally lock themselves in the playhouse where Nancy can't get to them. Nancy ends up falling in the worm pit and dancing around, just like Ivy's spell was supposed to make her do. And so the adventures begin with Ivy and Bean.
My Impression
This was a very cute book. I like the idea of two young girls having adventures together. None of it was harmful and instead it was hilarious. I also like how contrasting both of their personalities are. I can definitely see the appeal this series has on young girls. I also enjoy what a tomboy Bean is. I think sometimes authors get too wrapped up in making sure a girl is society's view of what a girl should be and same for boys. However, Bean has great characteristics that make her a very likable person, even down to her nickname. I would love to read the entire series of these books.
Reviews and Awards
"Barrows's debut children's book energetically kicks off a series about two seemingly unlikely pals, just right for kids moving on from beginning readers. Bean's mother suggests that she play with Ivy, the new girl across the street, "She seems like such a nice girl." Seven-year-old Bean says she already has plenty of friends ("Nice, Bean knew, is another word for boring"). After all, Ivy's long, curly red hair is neatly pushed back with a sparkly headband, and she always wears dresses and reads books; headband-, dress- and book-shunning tomboy Bean muses that Ivy "had never once in her whole life climbed a tree and fallen out." But when Ivy offers to get Bean out of a jam with her older sister, Nancy, Bean takes Ivy up on it. Bean discovers that the not-so-boring, wand-toting Ivy is in training to become a witch, and working on a spell that keeps its victim dancing for life—which sets Bean thinking about the ideal fate for bossy Nancy. Blackall's (Ruby's Wish ) half-tone spot art and full-spread illustrations deftly capture the girls' personalities and the tale's humor, while also filling out fun details about Ivy's room and the neighbors' backyards. Barrows's narrative brims with sprightly dialogue and tidily ties everything together—both Bean and Ivy find a fast friend and set the stage for Ivy and Bean and the Ghost that Had to Go , scheduled for the fall. Ages 6-10."
(2006, May 15). [Review of the book Ivy + Bean]. Retrieved from
http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-8118-4903-6.
2007 ALA Notable Children's Book
Suggestions for Use
*Children can make up their own spells and share them with the group
*Set up an art center so children can make their own magic wands
Ivy and Bean are two girls who live on the same street but are very different. Not only do they look different with Ivy and her long red hair and Bean with her short black hair, but their personalities are different as well. Bean is crazy and mischievous and Ivy is reserved and a bookworm, or so Bean thinks. After Bean tries to play a prank on her sister Nancy and it fails, Ivy comes in to save the day. Bean learns about Ivy becoming a witch and trying to cast spells. The girls decide to cast a spell on Nancy but it involves getting lots of worms. The girls climb a lot of fences to get to Bean's (and they get in trouble on the way) but finally make it there and dig a hole to get out the worms. They find Nancy crying through the window and although Bean begins to feel bad because Nancy may be crying about her, come to find out she is crying because she wants to get her ears pierced. This makes Bean so mad that when Nancy comes out to get her, Bean throws worms in her face. Ivy and Bean run around the yard and finally lock themselves in the playhouse where Nancy can't get to them. Nancy ends up falling in the worm pit and dancing around, just like Ivy's spell was supposed to make her do. And so the adventures begin with Ivy and Bean.
My Impression
This was a very cute book. I like the idea of two young girls having adventures together. None of it was harmful and instead it was hilarious. I also like how contrasting both of their personalities are. I can definitely see the appeal this series has on young girls. I also enjoy what a tomboy Bean is. I think sometimes authors get too wrapped up in making sure a girl is society's view of what a girl should be and same for boys. However, Bean has great characteristics that make her a very likable person, even down to her nickname. I would love to read the entire series of these books.
Reviews and Awards
"Barrows's debut children's book energetically kicks off a series about two seemingly unlikely pals, just right for kids moving on from beginning readers. Bean's mother suggests that she play with Ivy, the new girl across the street, "She seems like such a nice girl." Seven-year-old Bean says she already has plenty of friends ("Nice, Bean knew, is another word for boring"). After all, Ivy's long, curly red hair is neatly pushed back with a sparkly headband, and she always wears dresses and reads books; headband-, dress- and book-shunning tomboy Bean muses that Ivy "had never once in her whole life climbed a tree and fallen out." But when Ivy offers to get Bean out of a jam with her older sister, Nancy, Bean takes Ivy up on it. Bean discovers that the not-so-boring, wand-toting Ivy is in training to become a witch, and working on a spell that keeps its victim dancing for life—which sets Bean thinking about the ideal fate for bossy Nancy. Blackall's (Ruby's Wish ) half-tone spot art and full-spread illustrations deftly capture the girls' personalities and the tale's humor, while also filling out fun details about Ivy's room and the neighbors' backyards. Barrows's narrative brims with sprightly dialogue and tidily ties everything together—both Bean and Ivy find a fast friend and set the stage for Ivy and Bean and the Ghost that Had to Go , scheduled for the fall. Ages 6-10."
(2006, May 15). [Review of the book Ivy + Bean]. Retrieved from
http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-8118-4903-6.
2007 ALA Notable Children's Book
Suggestions for Use
*Children can make up their own spells and share them with the group
*Set up an art center so children can make their own magic wands
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