Children's Book Express
Ivy and Bean
by Annie Barrows
Summary
When seven-year-old Bean plays a mean trick on her sister Nancy, she finds unexpected support for her antics from Ivy, the new neighbor, who is less boring than Bean first suspected.
Review
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 2006 (Vol. 74, No. 9))
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. 2006, Chronicle, 116p, $14.95. Category: Fiction. Ages 6 to 10. © 2006 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
(PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books (San Francisco Calif.:), PUBLISHED: c2006.)
Lesson Plan Ideas:
Book Trailer
Cool Kids Activities
This activity guide includes book sharing ideas with a log chart, relationship building activities that could come in handy when conflict arises in the classroom, as well as an interesting Pig Latin lesson and many, many more!
Citations: Summary from Google Books, Review from CLCD, Lesson Plan from Teachingbooks.net
Book Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmMWa4qMqDM
Cool Kids Activites: http://www.chroniclebooks.com/landing-pages/ivyandbean/kids.html