A Netflix Original Film Series A New York Times Bestselling Series Over 8 Million Copies Sold "A lively, entertaining read with heart" – Common Sense Media "Only a stooge couldn't love Ivy and Bean" – Kirkus Reviews Meet Ivy & Bean. Bean has lots of friends, loves stomping in puddles and hates being bored. Ivy has just moved in next door. Ivy seems nice, wears dresses and sparkly headbands – which makes Bean think she's too boring to be friends with. But after Ivy comes to Bean's rescue they become the best of friends and begin a series of silly, sneaky, imaginative, sometimes naughty and always hilarious adventures. The perfect chapter books for grades 1–4, reluctant readers and fans of Ramona and Junie B. Jones. Read Kiddo Read "A Triumph of friendship, ingenuity and fun!" Reader & Parent Love for Ivy & Bean "I read ALL of the books in this series when I was in elementary school (I am 17 now) and I absolutely LOVED them. This series truly taught me the joy in reading and creativity, as well as real social dynamics you see in everyday life." "She just devoured this book. It was her first real chapter book and she's hooked!!" "This is the ONLY chapter book series that my daughter has fallen for and will re-read on her own." Grade 1-4–Seven-year-old Bean likes stomping in puddles, climbing fences into neighbors' backyards, and playing tricks on her older sister, Nancy. She wears dresses as seldom as possible and avoids big books. Her new neighbor appears to be a quiet, orderly girl who sits on her front step day after day reading tomes. The two seem to have nothing in common, and Bean is not interested in getting to know Ivy, despite her mother's prodding to make friends with the nice girl next door. Then Bean gets into trouble, and Ivy helps her out. She discovers that Ivy is practicing to be a witch, and when they decide to cast a spell on Nancy, their friendship is sealed. With echoes of Beverly Cleary's Ramona series, this easy chapter book will appeal to children who are graduating from beginning readers. The occasional black-and-white illustrations highlight the text and provide visual clues. The characters are appealing, the friendship is well portrayed, and the pranks and adventures are very much on grade level. –Eve Ottenberg Stone, Cooper Lane Elementary, Landover Hills, MD Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. *Starred Review* Gr. 1-3. In the tradition of Betsy and Tacy, Ginnie and Geneva, come two new friends, Ivy and Bean. Ivy has just moved in across the street from Bean, who wants no part of her. She thinks Ivy looks dull, always with her nose in a book. Bean, on the other hand, is a spark plug; she's full of tricks, especially ones that can be played on her older sister, Nancy. But the day Bean pulls a trick that goes wrong and Ivy comes to her rescue, a friendship is born. The deliciousness here is in the details, with both girls drawn distinctly and with flair. Ivy, who at first seems to be a dud, has aspirations to being a witch, which is dangerously intriguing; Bean's spunky way of talking and acting (there's a classic moment when she wiggles her butt at Nancy) will make readers giggle. Even with all the text's strong points, what takes the book to a higher level is Blackall's artwork, which captures the girls' spirit. A chapter from the second book in the series, to be published in this fall, will whet readers' appetites for more Ivy and Bean. Ilene Cooper Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved "Annie Barrows accomplishes the almost impossible task of reflecting the world of second grader, creating the tension and drama of family and friendships in language that can be read easily by child who recently graduated from easy readers to early chapter books. " - Lisa Von Drasek, Children's Librarian, Bank Street College of Education Annie Barrows has written a bunch of books for grown-ups, but Ivy and Bean is her first series for kids. Annie lives in Northern California with her husband and two daughters. Sophie Blackall is an illustrator whose work has appeared in many newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times . She lives in New York, with her husband and two children. Her previous books include Ruby's Wish and Meet Wild Boars.