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Ivy & Bean #8
Ivy and Bean: No News Is Good News
Ivy and Bean need some money. Ten dollars, to be exact. Never mind what for. Okay, it's for low-fat Belldeloon cheese in a special just-for-you serving size. Don't ask why. How are Ivy and Bean going to make ten dollars? Hey, maybe they should write a newspaper about Pancake Court and sell it. Great idea! And easy, too. All they have to do is snoop around the neighborhood. Wow. It's very interesting what you can find out. It's even more interesting when the neighbors read about it in the newspaper.
Includes bonus material!
- Sneak peek chapter from the next book in the Ivy ] Bean series Ivy and Bean Make the Rules by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
- Our second ever Ivy + Bean Quiz!
- Other fun games
Includes bonus material!
- Sneak peek chapter from the next book in the Ivy ] Bean series Ivy and Bean Make the Rules by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
- Our second ever Ivy + Bean Quiz!
- Other fun games
101 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2011
389 people are currently reading
969 people want to read
About the author
Annie Barrows
81 books987 followersAnnie grew up in Northern California, and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, with a degree in Medieval History. Unable to find a job in the middle ages, she decided upon a career as an editor, eventually landing at Chronicle Books in San Francisco, where she was in charge of "all the books that nobody in their right mind would publish." After earning an M.F.A. in Creative Writing at Mills College, Annie wrote (as Ann Fiery) a number of books for grown-ups about such diverse subjects as fortune-telling (she can read palms!), urban legends (there are no alligators in the sewer!), and opera (she knows what they're singing about!). In 2003, Annie grew weary of grown-ups, and began to write for kids, which she found to be way more fun.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
March 4, 2019
Determined to get their hands on some lowfat Belldeloon cheese in a special just-for-you serving size - not because they like the cheese itself, but because the red wax in which it is packaged makes for excellent play material - second-graders and best friends Ivy and Bean set out to earn the money necessary. At the suggestion of Bean's father, the two girls decide to sell subscriptions to a local newspaper that they will (they claim) be producing, with all the news from their street, Pancake Court. When they discover that they actually have to produce the paper, they are somewhat dismayed, until they discover how much fun it is to snoop around, and peer in their neighbors' windows. But will the first edition of The Flip(p)ing Pancake, with its sensational stories about the neighbors, bring them fame and fortune, or universal opprobrium...?
I can't say that this eighth and thus-far final installment of Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall's series of chapter-books chronicling the adventures of second-grade best friends Ivy and Bean - there is a ninth due out, later this year, provisionally entitled Ivy and Bean Make the Rules - is one of my favorites. In fact, it probably ties with Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter as my least favorite of the collection - and for the same reasons. There is a fine line between transgressive humor and outright nastiness, and while I am far from arguing that that line is in the same place for every reader, this story crossed it, as far as I am concerned. Kids can sometimes be whiny and entitled, as Bean and Ivy are, when trying to convince their parents to buy them the cheese, and they can also be heedless. But when these two sell subscriptions, deliberately intending never to produce the product they're selling, I have a hard time believing that they aren't perfectly aware that they're being dishonest, and stealing people's money. I certainly would have been well aware of that, at their age! Likewise, I don't buy that it would not have occurred to them that printing nasty things about their neighbors in a newspaper might be questionable - especially when those nasty things are rather... unsubstantiated.
Kids aren't angels, and I'm all for stories that acknowledge that fact - especially stories that upend the old "sugar and spice" nonsense, about little girls - but I couldn't really see the humor here. Not good. Not good at all. I hope the next one improves...
I can't say that this eighth and thus-far final installment of Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall's series of chapter-books chronicling the adventures of second-grade best friends Ivy and Bean - there is a ninth due out, later this year, provisionally entitled Ivy and Bean Make the Rules - is one of my favorites. In fact, it probably ties with Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter as my least favorite of the collection - and for the same reasons. There is a fine line between transgressive humor and outright nastiness, and while I am far from arguing that that line is in the same place for every reader, this story crossed it, as far as I am concerned. Kids can sometimes be whiny and entitled, as Bean and Ivy are, when trying to convince their parents to buy them the cheese, and they can also be heedless. But when these two sell subscriptions, deliberately intending never to produce the product they're selling, I have a hard time believing that they aren't perfectly aware that they're being dishonest, and stealing people's money. I certainly would have been well aware of that, at their age! Likewise, I don't buy that it would not have occurred to them that printing nasty things about their neighbors in a newspaper might be questionable - especially when those nasty things are rather... unsubstantiated.
Kids aren't angels, and I'm all for stories that acknowledge that fact - especially stories that upend the old "sugar and spice" nonsense, about little girls - but I couldn't really see the humor here. Not good. Not good at all. I hope the next one improves...
February 6, 2013
After reading the first four books in this series more or less in order, it occurred to me that after you read the first book, in which Ivy and Bean meet, there really is no need to read the rest of the books in order. The girls are second graders in all the books, and each book describes a stand-alone incident spanning no more than a few days. So, even though I haven't read all the books through Book 7 yet, I picked up Book 8 because it was available at the library. I don't think I'm missing out by reading the books out of order.
As usual, my concerns about this book boil down to the fact that the girls engage in inappropriate behavior (all in fun), but they don't suffer any consequences for their bad decisions.
I like that the girls were willing to do some work to earn money. With a suggestion from Bean's father, they decided to sell subscriptions to a neighborhood newsletter. Unfortunately, I was quickly disappointed when they tried to weasel out of actually writing the newsletter - after already having collected the money!
Bean's father gets them back on track, but in order for them to collect "news" for their newsletter, they basically trespass and spy on people in their own homes. They completely violate the privacy of others, and when the neighbors see the newsletter, adults and children come to Bean's house to complain.
Yes, I can see the humor in the resulting newsletter, but I would have preferred having a satisfying moral ending along with the funny outcome. The girls weren't acting maliciously, so maybe punishment wasn't necessary, but they still should have had to apologize to the neighbors for spying, making up stories, exaggerating, and violating their privacy. They didn't, and there was no lesson learned, no remorse. Instead, they actually got rewarded with more money.
Like other books in this series, this one also includes name-calling.
As usual, my concerns about this book boil down to the fact that the girls engage in inappropriate behavior (all in fun), but they don't suffer any consequences for their bad decisions.
I like that the girls were willing to do some work to earn money. With a suggestion from Bean's father, they decided to sell subscriptions to a neighborhood newsletter. Unfortunately, I was quickly disappointed when they tried to weasel out of actually writing the newsletter - after already having collected the money!
Bean's father gets them back on track, but in order for them to collect "news" for their newsletter, they basically trespass and spy on people in their own homes. They completely violate the privacy of others, and when the neighbors see the newsletter, adults and children come to Bean's house to complain.
Yes, I can see the humor in the resulting newsletter, but I would have preferred having a satisfying moral ending along with the funny outcome. The girls weren't acting maliciously, so maybe punishment wasn't necessary, but they still should have had to apologize to the neighbors for spying, making up stories, exaggerating, and violating their privacy. They didn't, and there was no lesson learned, no remorse. Instead, they actually got rewarded with more money.
Like other books in this series, this one also includes name-calling.
January 15, 2012
Break out your favorite mini cheese snack encased in red wax and spend a few minutes with the latest Ivy and Bean adventure. When i was about 8, I thought I "discovered" the awesomeness of soft red wax from Gouda cheese as a modeling compound. I can totally sympathize with the two friends' obsession with obtaining the wonderful substance! Of course their thrifty parents see the small overpriced cheese balls as a luxury item a family on a budget can do without. So the girls set out to earn their own money. Eventually, they use Bean's Dad's idea of a neighborhood newspaper. of course that opens up a whole new ball of wax.... ivy and Bean fans will not be disappointed with their favorite early chapter book characters.
There is only one problem I have with these titles. Coming from a rather conservative religious demographic, I kind of wish Ivy would give up her obsession with spells and witchcraft.
There is only one problem I have with these titles. Coming from a rather conservative religious demographic, I kind of wish Ivy would give up her obsession with spells and witchcraft.
April 29, 2015
Ivy and Bean are best friends. They may seem like opposites at first glance: Bean is small and dark, Ivy is a tall redhead. Bean uses bad language, plays practical jokes on people, loves to be outside, and isn't afraid of getting dirty. Ivy loves to read, is soft-spoken, and plans to be a witch when she grows up. Together they can accomplish anything.
Ivy and Bean have a problem. They are the only kids at school who don't get Mini Babybel cheese in their lunchbox. (In the book it is called Belldeloon instead of Babybel.) Why do they want this so bad? Well, it isn't for the cheese - it's for the wax the cheese comes in. Apparently it's a "thing" to squish the wax, mold it into funny shapes, stick it on your face, etc. Ivy and Bean feel very left out.
No matter how much they beg their parents, they will not buy them the cheese, which they claim is "too expensive." Isn't that just like a grown-up? Don't they know what's IMPORTANT?
How can Ivy and Bean earn money? Ivy suggests Bean sell her beloved animal/food/etc.-shaped erasers. Bean doesn't like that idea. Then perhaps they can sell some of Nancy's stuff? (Nancy is Bean's older sister.) No, that's stealing. Then they remember that Ivy is training to be a witch. Of course! They will sell magic potions.
They decide flying potion is their best bet, so they whip up a batch. Then they approach people on the playground but find no one willing to drink a yellow potion with dead flies floating in it.
Bean's dad says they should earn money doing chores, but then quickly backpedals when he remembers how Bean doing chores usually turns out. (It's not pretty.) Then he remembers how when he was a kid, he made a newspaper about what was happening on the block and sold subscriptions for a quarter.
The girls are very excited about this "subscription" idea. The idea that he got money without giving people a product first intrigues them. They decide to do the same: make a local newspaper and sell subscriptions for a dollar (inflation, you know).
The girls easily sell a plethora of subscriptions and happily make off to the store with the money to buy cheese. It's a cold shock when Bean's dad informs them they have to actually write a newspaper, and a good one at that.
The book goes on from there, becoming a sort of watered-down version of IN A PIG'S EYE for the younger set. I won't spoil what happens for you, but it's pretty funny.
This book didn't seem as laugh-out-loud funny to me as BOUND TO BE BAD or DOOMED TO DANCE. It's also a little one-note, not covering as many subjects and scenarios as I like. But those are just personal preferences. As usual, Barrows provides a great story from a 7-year-old's viewpoint and Blackall provides fresh and creative illustrations that are perfect for the text.
Ivy and Bean have a problem. They are the only kids at school who don't get Mini Babybel cheese in their lunchbox. (In the book it is called Belldeloon instead of Babybel.) Why do they want this so bad? Well, it isn't for the cheese - it's for the wax the cheese comes in. Apparently it's a "thing" to squish the wax, mold it into funny shapes, stick it on your face, etc. Ivy and Bean feel very left out.
No matter how much they beg their parents, they will not buy them the cheese, which they claim is "too expensive." Isn't that just like a grown-up? Don't they know what's IMPORTANT?
How can Ivy and Bean earn money? Ivy suggests Bean sell her beloved animal/food/etc.-shaped erasers. Bean doesn't like that idea. Then perhaps they can sell some of Nancy's stuff? (Nancy is Bean's older sister.) No, that's stealing. Then they remember that Ivy is training to be a witch. Of course! They will sell magic potions.
They decide flying potion is their best bet, so they whip up a batch. Then they approach people on the playground but find no one willing to drink a yellow potion with dead flies floating in it.
Bean's dad says they should earn money doing chores, but then quickly backpedals when he remembers how Bean doing chores usually turns out. (It's not pretty.) Then he remembers how when he was a kid, he made a newspaper about what was happening on the block and sold subscriptions for a quarter.
The girls are very excited about this "subscription" idea. The idea that he got money without giving people a product first intrigues them. They decide to do the same: make a local newspaper and sell subscriptions for a dollar (inflation, you know).
The girls easily sell a plethora of subscriptions and happily make off to the store with the money to buy cheese. It's a cold shock when Bean's dad informs them they have to actually write a newspaper, and a good one at that.
The book goes on from there, becoming a sort of watered-down version of IN A PIG'S EYE for the younger set. I won't spoil what happens for you, but it's pretty funny.
This book didn't seem as laugh-out-loud funny to me as BOUND TO BE BAD or DOOMED TO DANCE. It's also a little one-note, not covering as many subjects and scenarios as I like. But those are just personal preferences. As usual, Barrows provides a great story from a 7-year-old's viewpoint and Blackall provides fresh and creative illustrations that are perfect for the text.
November 1, 2012
The Ivy + Bean series is so popular with the 2nd grade girls at my elementary school so I finally decided to read one myself. In this book, Ivy and Bean are desperate to get some lowfat Belldeloon cheese in a special just-for-you-serving size that's all the rage at their school. They don't care about the cheese, it's the wax coating that all the kids playing with that they covet. Since their parents refuse to buy the expensive snack, they decide to raise the money by selling newspaper subscriptions and they easily get enough money for a bag of cheese each. Unfortunately, Beans father said they couldn't have the cheese until they actually wrote and distributed said newspaper . . . and that's where things get interesting!
The book is perfect for 1st and 2nd grade girls looking for easy chapter books. Ivy and Bean are funny and the trouble they get into is fun . . . the book really brought me back to that age.
The book is perfect for 1st and 2nd grade girls looking for easy chapter books. Ivy and Bean are funny and the trouble they get into is fun . . . the book really brought me back to that age.
November 2, 2011
Oh, how we love Ivy & Bean. Ivy is quiet, smart, well dressed, and has a potions lab in her room. Bean is loud, impatient, and so so funny. We all love these two girls. This is the latest Ivy & Bean book out and it took just a couple nights to get through - which was SAD because we all wanted it to last longer.
In this book the girls want to earn money to buy the little wax wrapped cheeses -they need that wax and their parents won't buy it. So they write a newspaper about their street and sell it to the neighbors. And it's pretty awesome. I laughed. The 7 year old laughed. The 4 year old laughed.
Only complaint is that it's short. It's not that Annie Barrows phoned this one in, it just seems like she had other things to do and could have written a few more chapters, in our opinion. But overall, we love Ivy & Bean!
In this book the girls want to earn money to buy the little wax wrapped cheeses -they need that wax and their parents won't buy it. So they write a newspaper about their street and sell it to the neighbors. And it's pretty awesome. I laughed. The 7 year old laughed. The 4 year old laughed.
Only complaint is that it's short. It's not that Annie Barrows phoned this one in, it just seems like she had other things to do and could have written a few more chapters, in our opinion. But overall, we love Ivy & Bean!
December 16, 2015
I have been reading the Ivy + Bean books to my girls at bedtime since October (roughly one a week). This was the last in the series that we read and I'm kind of sad there aren't any more to read. I have had so much fun reading these out loud. I've let Ruby read pages here and there but I selfishly want to read because the dialogue is fun for me to read. I have voices for the different characters and I love the writing.
This is the first chapter book series where Ruby has really related to the characters. Ivy and Bean are second grade girls and she has personality traits in common with both of them. (Although I think Ruby relates more to Bean.) It has been a treat to watch Ruby laugh and get into the stories. I hope we can find another series that we like as much to read soon.
This is the first chapter book series where Ruby has really related to the characters. Ivy and Bean are second grade girls and she has personality traits in common with both of them. (Although I think Ruby relates more to Bean.) It has been a treat to watch Ruby laugh and get into the stories. I hope we can find another series that we like as much to read soon.
December 20, 2011
Sometimes I can't believe what these girls get away with.
Loved Bean's Dad's reaction to their very unflattering neighborhood newspaper... until he realized the neighbors had read it too. Meanwhile Ivy & Bean are a couple satisfied hellions, chomping on their cheese. I also love that the entire premise of a book can revolve around a childhood obsession with cheese wax. Ah, elementary school trends, how you mystify and delight.
Loved Bean's Dad's reaction to their very unflattering neighborhood newspaper... until he realized the neighbors had read it too. Meanwhile Ivy & Bean are a couple satisfied hellions, chomping on their cheese. I also love that the entire premise of a book can revolve around a childhood obsession with cheese wax. Ah, elementary school trends, how you mystify and delight.
April 17, 2012
This was a hoot! This is the second one we've read, and we loved it, more than the first (which was the first). Lots of laugh out loud moments, and some truly great dialogue. I love the suburban setting, the ordinariness, and that the colour and richness and humour come from gentle, credible set ups.
June 13, 2012
This is a cute book from a series of early readers or first chapter books. It is an interesting story about cheese and how to make money to buy some. On the theme of earning money and honoring
your subscriptions. They write a neighborhood newsletter. Cute and good for first and second grade to suggest reading chapter book series.
your subscriptions. They write a neighborhood newsletter. Cute and good for first and second grade to suggest reading chapter book series.
March 8, 2016
Eka Isa+Beani ja kokeilin, voiko sarjaa lukea missä järjestyksessä tahansa. Kyllä voi. Kiva kirja.
September 24, 2016
I listened to this on disk during a long car ride. It was boring in the extreme. But at least it passed the time.
December 26, 2017
I want to be friends with Ivy and Bean! They are hilarious and I was laughing so hard at their magazine. This one was a win!
August 15, 2024
This one ate like…
July 11, 2022
Review to come
November 21, 2011
Natalya was 6 or 7 when we picked up the first Ivy+Bean book by Annie Barrows. N has since moved onto Teen shelves, but I still try to keep up on “the two friends who never meant to like each other” and their adventures. First, the books are just that delightful. Second, Sophie Blackall is one of my favorite Illustrators (as many of you know). There are a lot of fun chapter books for the 6-10 age group. If you need to narrow it down: Ivy + Bean has and continues-to-be brilliant. Check them out.
No News is Good News was an especially fun read for me. I remember my mom packing “cheese in a special just-for-you serving size” wrapped in a red wax to play with; though I doubt mine were lowfat. The trip down memory lane was fun. Ivy and Bean are also out to create a local newspaper as a fundraiser, and we are in the early stages of zine project 2.0. May it reassure neighbors and family and friends, we will not be looking in windows and record the odd observation. With FaceBook, Google-+, or Twitter, do I need to?
There are some things people do not want to share or have revealed. They certainly wouldn’t care for the exaggerations made to spice up the story. Ivy and Bean narrowly escape all-out disaster. It helps that despite their (innocent) mischief they are still little girls and that their observations were fairly mild. But when the girls remark upon their finished newspaper, The Flipping Pancake, with: “It looks so real.” (109) how can the adult reader disagree? Points are made and lessons are learned—but not in a message-y way. A marvelous aspect to the Ivy + Bean books are the deft handling of learning opportunities via the girls’ interactions and adventures. These are fun reads with creative stories and solutions.
****************
Since you are going to get your dear 6-10 year old girl (and dear 33 year old L) the boxed sets for a gift, throw in that brand new Paper Doll Set! Shameless, I know, but I adore these books. Barrows has a fantastic sense of humor and story, and her characters are wonderful. It is yummy icing that Blackall illustrates their adventures (and their dolls!).
L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
No News is Good News was an especially fun read for me. I remember my mom packing “cheese in a special just-for-you serving size” wrapped in a red wax to play with; though I doubt mine were lowfat. The trip down memory lane was fun. Ivy and Bean are also out to create a local newspaper as a fundraiser, and we are in the early stages of zine project 2.0. May it reassure neighbors and family and friends, we will not be looking in windows and record the odd observation. With FaceBook, Google-+, or Twitter, do I need to?
There are some things people do not want to share or have revealed. They certainly wouldn’t care for the exaggerations made to spice up the story. Ivy and Bean narrowly escape all-out disaster. It helps that despite their (innocent) mischief they are still little girls and that their observations were fairly mild. But when the girls remark upon their finished newspaper, The Flipping Pancake, with: “It looks so real.” (109) how can the adult reader disagree? Points are made and lessons are learned—but not in a message-y way. A marvelous aspect to the Ivy + Bean books are the deft handling of learning opportunities via the girls’ interactions and adventures. These are fun reads with creative stories and solutions.
****************
Since you are going to get your dear 6-10 year old girl (and dear 33 year old L) the boxed sets for a gift, throw in that brand new Paper Doll Set! Shameless, I know, but I adore these books. Barrows has a fantastic sense of humor and story, and her characters are wonderful. It is yummy icing that Blackall illustrates their adventures (and their dolls!).
L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
December 19, 2017
In this story, Ivy and Bean wanted to get the cheese that everyone had, lowfat Belldeloon cheese. But they didn't want it for the cheese, they wanted it for the red wax that covered the cheese. The wax was fun to squish or make a wax mustache or a unicorn horn. But their parents refused to buy them the cheese. So Ivy and Bean decided to think of ways to earn money to buy the cheese. They tried to sell a flying potion, but nobody would drink it because there were flies in the jar. Then they had an idea to write a newspaper, The Flipping Pancake. Bean's dad wanted the girls to earn something, so he purchased a pack of the cheese they wanted, and he told them they'd get their cheese after they finished writing their newspaper. They talked friends and neighbors into pre purchasing a copy of the newspaper. At first, they didn't write much so Bean's dad refused to give them the cheese. Then they went out into the neigborhood and found funny and entertaining stories to write about what they saw their neighbors doing in their homes. Bean's dad laughed so much he gave the girls their cheese. The Flipping Pancake was a success.
December 7, 2012
I love Ivy and Bean.
"Bean could be described as a Junie B. and Clementine type of child in that she tends to go her own way. Her creator describes her as "loud and wild." The difference between Bean and the other leads in the big, girl series is that Bean is comfortable with who she is. She isn't always anxiously interacting with adult characters who reassure her in some way or are involved in helping her learn a reassuring lesson. Most of Bean's interaction is with another child and not adults. She interacts with Ivy, her co-lead, who, superficially, is your stereotypical quiet little girl.
Yeah, your quiet little girl who is into magic and potions, and who is sharp as a tack. Talk about still waters running deep."
Excerpt from Original Content
"Bean could be described as a Junie B. and Clementine type of child in that she tends to go her own way. Her creator describes her as "loud and wild." The difference between Bean and the other leads in the big, girl series is that Bean is comfortable with who she is. She isn't always anxiously interacting with adult characters who reassure her in some way or are involved in helping her learn a reassuring lesson. Most of Bean's interaction is with another child and not adults. She interacts with Ivy, her co-lead, who, superficially, is your stereotypical quiet little girl.
Yeah, your quiet little girl who is into magic and potions, and who is sharp as a tack. Talk about still waters running deep."
Excerpt from Original Content
March 18, 2019
I have been reading the Ivy & Bean books to my 4.5 yo and we LOVE THEM. Ivy & Bean are the very funny, creative kids - and we laugh our way through them every time. This particular book in the series might be my favorite - it was laugh-out-loud funny. I can also imagine my daughter and her friends getting up to these antics in a couple of years. I highly recommend this series to be read with pre-K and up kids.
October 3, 2022
Such a fun addition to the series! Loved the different stories they find for their newspaper. So fun to see it come together
Also the obsession with the belldaloon cheese was really fun!
We love ivy and bean!
Also the obsession with the belldaloon cheese was really fun!
We love ivy and bean!
May 12, 2023
The belldeloon cheese loooked delicious
March 15, 2020
Review by Grace, age 7. 4/21/18
This book about Ivy and Bean. The big problem in this book is that Ivy and Bean did not have Belldaloon Cheese, but everyone else did. The fun part about Belldaloon cheese is the wax that you can squish into any shape. Ivy and Bean really wanted it. Ivy and Bean tried to convince their mom to get the cheese, but she kept saying "I don't want to hear one more word about that cheese." They tried like a thousand ideas, but none of them worked. So their dad talked about making a newspaper, and they were really excited about it. They thought about making so much money they could roll around in cheese right up to their waist.
So they went over to almost all of their neighbors to ask them for money for "The Flipping Pancake," which is their newspaper. They raised 10 dollars, which was enough for two bags of cheese. They bought the cheese, but before they could eat it they had to make the newspaper. It took them a while but they finally did. Well, some of the neighbors didn't like them spying in the window and some of them didn't like them telling about stuff and one wanted her picture back. Some of them laughed a lot, but others were a little bit angry.
Ivy and Bean got some cheese, but they didn't make any more newspapers.
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Review of "No News is Good News," Ivy and Bean book 8
by Lucy, age 6, 3/14/20
This book is about Ivy and Bean, who started selling newspapers. They made them themselves. They wanted to earn $5 for "Lowfat Belldeloon chesse in a special just-for-you serving size." It had a wax covering and you could make stuff out of it. Mom and Dad thought it was too much money for cheese.
So they started selling newspapers. They put in all the news about Pancake Court. The name of the paper was "The Flipping Pancake."
Mom: What challenges did they face?
Lucy: They looked in people's windows to get news. Most of them didn't notice. One was "Crummy Matt's" family. Dino, his brother, gave them a photo of Matt when he was a baby. They put it in the paper and said "guess the naked baby."
Mom: What happened after they published the paper?
Lucy: The kids got mad at them, and Crummy Matt's mom wanted the picture back.
Mom: Did they make their money?
Lucy: Yes. They got their Belldeloon cheese and pretended they were dead when the kids came into their yard. They squished it flat on their faces. It's red so it looked like blood. The other kids fell for their trick.
Mom: Did they feel like the cheese was worth the effort?
Lucy: Yeah. They did not like the cheese, but they liked the wax. Every day one person brought their wax. It was a shift. Ivy brought it, then Bean brought it. And the person who brought it would split the wax with the person who didn't get it.
Mom: Do you think they learned anything from this experience?
Lucy: Not to look in people's windows. Just ask them for news.
This book about Ivy and Bean. The big problem in this book is that Ivy and Bean did not have Belldaloon Cheese, but everyone else did. The fun part about Belldaloon cheese is the wax that you can squish into any shape. Ivy and Bean really wanted it. Ivy and Bean tried to convince their mom to get the cheese, but she kept saying "I don't want to hear one more word about that cheese." They tried like a thousand ideas, but none of them worked. So their dad talked about making a newspaper, and they were really excited about it. They thought about making so much money they could roll around in cheese right up to their waist.
So they went over to almost all of their neighbors to ask them for money for "The Flipping Pancake," which is their newspaper. They raised 10 dollars, which was enough for two bags of cheese. They bought the cheese, but before they could eat it they had to make the newspaper. It took them a while but they finally did. Well, some of the neighbors didn't like them spying in the window and some of them didn't like them telling about stuff and one wanted her picture back. Some of them laughed a lot, but others were a little bit angry.
Ivy and Bean got some cheese, but they didn't make any more newspapers.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Review of "No News is Good News," Ivy and Bean book 8
by Lucy, age 6, 3/14/20
This book is about Ivy and Bean, who started selling newspapers. They made them themselves. They wanted to earn $5 for "Lowfat Belldeloon chesse in a special just-for-you serving size." It had a wax covering and you could make stuff out of it. Mom and Dad thought it was too much money for cheese.
So they started selling newspapers. They put in all the news about Pancake Court. The name of the paper was "The Flipping Pancake."
Mom: What challenges did they face?
Lucy: They looked in people's windows to get news. Most of them didn't notice. One was "Crummy Matt's" family. Dino, his brother, gave them a photo of Matt when he was a baby. They put it in the paper and said "guess the naked baby."
Mom: What happened after they published the paper?
Lucy: The kids got mad at them, and Crummy Matt's mom wanted the picture back.
Mom: Did they make their money?
Lucy: Yes. They got their Belldeloon cheese and pretended they were dead when the kids came into their yard. They squished it flat on their faces. It's red so it looked like blood. The other kids fell for their trick.
Mom: Did they feel like the cheese was worth the effort?
Lucy: Yeah. They did not like the cheese, but they liked the wax. Every day one person brought their wax. It was a shift. Ivy brought it, then Bean brought it. And the person who brought it would split the wax with the person who didn't get it.
Mom: Do you think they learned anything from this experience?
Lucy: Not to look in people's windows. Just ask them for news.
November 13, 2019
What are the girls to do when their moms refuse to buy the "low-fat Belldeloon cheese in a special just-for-you serving size" that they so desperately want (if only for the delightfully moldable wax coating on the outside)? Of course, find a way to make money and buy the cheese themselves. Bean's Dad suggests writing and selling a neighborhood newspaper, a perfect idea. Now all that's left is for the girls to go out and get the news. But when they don't find anything interesting, Ivy and Bean do what they do best: use their imaginations.
Review questions for this book are available in the Nothing But Kids Books store on TpT!
TpT | Pinterest | Similar Titles | Series Review
Review questions for this book are available in the Nothing But Kids Books store on TpT!
TpT | Pinterest | Similar Titles | Series Review
September 16, 2018
Probably my personal favorite in this goofy chapter book series, No News is Good News sees Ivy and Bean jealous of their friends at lunch because everyone else has Lowfat Belladoona Cheese in a Just-for-you Serving Size ... but that's not important. What's important is that the cheese comes wrapped in red wax that can be modeled into all sorts of shapes.
Their attempts to pester their parents into buying them the cheese come to naught, so with the help of Bean's well-meaning but somewhat clueless father, they hatch a plan to sell a homemade newspaper that they create by spying on the neighbors. Hi-jinks ensue.
Barrows' books are well-crafted enough that, though meant for children, they are accessible to the adult reader, and it is likely the adults who will best understand (and be able to predict the outcome of) the humorous situations Ivy and Bean get themselves into, whereas children are more likely to read this as an adventure story or comedy. For the adult, this is probably a half-hour read, tops.
Their attempts to pester their parents into buying them the cheese come to naught, so with the help of Bean's well-meaning but somewhat clueless father, they hatch a plan to sell a homemade newspaper that they create by spying on the neighbors. Hi-jinks ensue.
Barrows' books are well-crafted enough that, though meant for children, they are accessible to the adult reader, and it is likely the adults who will best understand (and be able to predict the outcome of) the humorous situations Ivy and Bean get themselves into, whereas children are more likely to read this as an adventure story or comedy. For the adult, this is probably a half-hour read, tops.
July 28, 2018
Very cute! Ivy and Bean want (fake) babybel cheese so they can play with the wax like all their classmates. Unfortunately their parents refuse to buy the expensive cheese for them, so they set out to make their own money. With some slightly misguided parental advice, they decide to start a neighborhood newspaper and seek subscribers. They earn their money quite quickly, but finding newsworthy items and creating their paper is another whole challenge.
Twists and turns in the plot. Lots of laughs. Things don’t turn out exactly how you think. The girls learn a lesson, but in a funny, not preachy way. They avoid trouble for the most part too. I particularly liked the wax as blood on the trampoline.
Twists and turns in the plot. Lots of laughs. Things don’t turn out exactly how you think. The girls learn a lesson, but in a funny, not preachy way. They avoid trouble for the most part too. I particularly liked the wax as blood on the trampoline.
May 8, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised after reading this book. I'm trying to get to know some early chapter books and thought this book had a fun plot and it actually made me laugh out loud. Ivy and Bean want to play with the wax that comes on individually wrapped packages of cheese but their parents won't spend the money on it. In need of money the girls take Bean's dads suggestion to write a newspaper. To get their news they end of spying on their neighbors and ad-libbing a little bit which adds humor to the story.
July 30, 2016
This is probably my favorite Ivy and Bean so far. Ivy and Bean really want some Baby Belle cheese so they can play with the red wax like the other kids at school. The problem is, their parents won't buy the expensive cheese. They raise their own money by selling subscriptions to a neighborhood magazine, The Flipping Pancake. My daughter and I enjoyed reading it together. Then we had to get some Baby Belle cheese.
July 31, 2018
Ivy and Bean want cheese. Not just any cheese, but the kind that comes in individually wrapped spheres covered in wax. Actually, they just want the wax. But their parents won’t buy it for them, so they earn the money themselves. Ivy’s dad gives them the idea of writing a newspaper... it goes about how you’d expect it to go!!! So funny! One of my favorites in the series.
Note- listened to the audio book
Note- listened to the audio book
July 24, 2019
Belldeloon cheese in a special just - for you serving size! Everyone has them except Ivy and Bean. How can they get some? With money! Ten dollars, is all they need. How are they going to make $10? They, could write a newspaper about Pancake Court, and sell it! Now all they have to do is snoop around the neighborhood to find a story. It is very interesting what they can find out. It is even more interesting when the neighbors read about it in the newspaper.
November 4, 2011
They're at it again, as the craziest pair on Pancake court set out to get the scoop and put out a paper in an effort to earn enough money to purchase cheese--or at least the wax that's around the cheese. These two cannot just report the news, of course. They create havoc wherever they go. Hilarious as always.
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