Ivy and Bean is a popular children's book series written by Annie Barrows. The series revolves around the adventures of two best friends, Ivy and Bean, who live on the same street and are complete opposites. Ivy is a quiet and imaginative girl who loves to read and play pretend, while Bean is a mischievous and adventurous girl who is always looking for excitement. In the first book of the series, titled "Ivy and Bean," the girls become unlikely friends after Bean decides to try to get to know Ivy. They bond over their shared love for adventure and decide to become partners in crime. Throughout the series, Ivy and Bean find themselves in various situations, often getting into trouble and learning important life lessons along the way.
Friendship tale a sure hit with kids starting chapter books.
Books in the Ivy and Bean Series Ivy and Bean Ivy and Bean and the Ghost that Had to Go Ivy and Bean and the Fossil Record Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter Ivy and Bean Bound to Be Bad Ivy and Bean Doomed to Dance Ivy and Bean What s the Bid idea. This type of content is not the type of content young minds should absorb especially in a world that exhibits hate and divisiveness on a daily basis.
Throughout the series, Ivy and Bean find themselves in various situations, often getting into trouble and learning important life lessons along the way. One of the standout books in the series is "Ivy and Bean and the Ghost that Had to Go." In this installment, Ivy and Bean try to get rid of the ghost that has taken up residence in the girls' bathroom.
Ivy snd bean witcj
Ivy and Bean and the Ghost That Had to Go
Ivy & Bean Book 2
Annie Barrows
Sophie Blackall (Illustrator)
Chronicle Books
ISBN B0035D9QFE
eISBN 9780811876520
ASIN 9780811849111
I have read this book twice, four years apart. First with my oldest daughter and then with my youngest daughter. My son who is between the girls has shown no interest to the books, but he did listen as his sister read it to me, usually while he did his piano practice. When I read this with my oldest, she was a very reluctant reader and we alternated pages, and if ever there was a shorter page she wanted to swap for it. With my youngest even though she struggled occasionally she read the entire text to me. Usually a chapter or 2 a day to get her 20minutes reading time in. My oldest rated it 4/5, I rated it 4/5 both times, and my youngest rated it 5/5. My Son gave it 4/5. So overall a 4/5.
I still have some reservations about the book and series. The whole Ivy being a watch and seeing ghosts. And ultimately creating a potion and trying to banish the ghost. For some it is a fun read. For others it will be scary and can be a cause of concern. And Ivy and Bean have no qualms about lying, misbehaving, and defying parents and teachers. In my opinion not great examples. But On the other hand, they are books my girls have wanted to read, and have kept reading. My oldest lost interested after 4 books and moved on to the Stella Batts books. We will see what happens with my youngest. But any book that keeps them reading and developing their skills is one I will read with them for now. But we always talk about the content of these books, and that the behavior modeled is not to be copied.
In this story Ivy, instead of admitting she can’t do a cartwheel to the girls in her class, pretends she is seeing a ghost by the washroom across the field. Soon the whole grade is talking about the ghost. And one girl sneaks to the senior school to use the washroom because she is afraid to use the haunted one. Ivy tells the kids the school was built over a burial ground and the ghost is mad and is opening a gateway. Ivy and Bean make a potion and offering to drive the ghost away.
Ivy and Bean have a knack for getting in trouble and stirring things up. And they do a good job of that in this volume. These are not my favorite books, but the kids seem to really like them.
In this story the mothers of both Ivy and Bean (Bernice) have been telling them they should become friends. They live across a cul-de-sac from each other. But both girls have hesitations and have not bothered acting on the advice. Until the day Bean is about to get in big trouble, and Ivy encourages her to run from her older sister who is getting their mother. And helps bean to hide and formulate a plan. Ivy believes she is a witch and from the set up of her room she has fairly liberal parents. She has a spell book she got from an aunt that is over 100 years old. The two plot to put a spell on Bean’s sister to force her to dance non-stop. To do so they need worms, lots and lots of worms.
There is something witchy about their friendship. And Ivy, who outwardly appears ‘normal’ but inwardly reminds me of Wednesday Addams. And Bean seems a little awkward and weird on the outside but seems to just be a kid with a knack for getting in trouble. We are told that “The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn't be friends.” But circumstances brought them together and a bond was formed. A bond that now spans 11 books.
The books are a great leveled reader. Both my girls read it the first month of grade 4. At grade 4 if reading at grade level this book should be an easy read. If they are a little behind grade level, they will need some help. But both girls love the book and the story. But I had to want my youngest that it is a story and not an instructional manual, she cannot do to her sister what bean did to hers! And I have a feeling based on my youngest that I will be reading the whole series soon.
Note: My youngest read the paperback to me, and I followed along on my phone. The pictures are much larger and integrated into the text in the print edition.
Books in the Ivy and Bean Series:
Ivy and Bean
Ivy and Bean and the Ghost that Had to Go
Ivy and Bean and the Fossil Record
Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter
Ivy and Bean Bound to Be Bad
Ivy and Bean Doomed to Dance
Ivy and Bean What’s the Bid idea?
Ivy and Bean No News is Good News
Ivy and Bean Make the Rules
Ivy and Bean Take the Case
Ivy and Bean One Big Happy Family
Ivy and Bean and the Ghost That Had to Go
Ivy & Bean Book 2
Annie Barrows
Sophie Blackall (Illustrator)
Chronicle Books
ISBN B0035D9QFE
eISBN 9780811876520
ASIN 9780811849111
They come up with various creative solutions, from staging a ghost hunt to trying to trap the ghost in a jar. Ultimately, Ivy and Bean learn that the ghost is not as scary as they initially thought and come to a resolution. Another notable book in the series is "Ivy and Bean Make the Rules." In this book, Ivy and Bean decide to write up a set of rules to make their friendship official. However, they soon realize that following rules can be challenging, especially when they clash with their individual personalities. Through their experiences, Ivy and Bean learn the importance of compromise and flexibility in friendship. Overall, the Ivy and Bean series is beloved by children and parents alike for its relatable characters, humorous storytelling, and underlying messages of friendship and acceptance. The books provide a fun and entertaining reading experience while also teaching valuable life lessons. Ivy and Bean's adventures continue to captivate young readers, encouraging their imagination and love for reading..
Reviews for "Join Ivy and Bean on a Witchy Ride: Spells, Friendship, and Adventure"
1. Jane - 1 star - I really did not enjoy "Ivy and Bean Witch". The plot was very predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. The story lacked depth and the humor fell flat. Overall, I found the book to be quite boring and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I was disappointed with "Ivy and Bean Witch". The writing style felt rushed and the storyline had potential but failed to deliver. The characters were not relatable and their actions often felt forced. I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story and ultimately felt unsatisfied with the ending.
3. Mark - 1 star - I found "Ivy and Bean Witch" to be a complete letdown. The dialogue was unrealistic and the events felt contrived. The story lacked any meaningful lessons or morals, and the characters were not developed enough to be memorable. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and enjoyable read.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Ivy and Bean Witch", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story felt disjointed and the pacing was off. The humor, which I had heard so much about, did not resonate with me and I found myself skimming through the pages to get to the end. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and uninterested in continuing with the series.
5. Matt - 1 star - "Ivy and Bean Witch" was a book that I regretted reading. The plot was weak and the characters lacked depth. I found it hard to connect with any of the characters and their actions seemed implausible. The writing style was dull and did little to engage me as a reader. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging read.