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Zelda and Ivy #4
Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways
Laura McGee Kvasnosky's newest trio of stories is an entertaining and genuine look at the ups and downs of sisterhood.
The fabulous fox sisters return in three fresh, funny stories. This time around, Zelda and Ivy combat the injustice of cucumber sandwiches for lunch, decide what to leave the children of the future in their time capsule, and attempt to solve Zelda’s writer’s block, all to the amusement of both new and returning fans.
The fabulous fox sisters return in three fresh, funny stories. This time around, Zelda and Ivy combat the injustice of cucumber sandwiches for lunch, decide what to leave the children of the future in their time capsule, and attempt to solve Zelda’s writer’s block, all to the amusement of both new and returning fans.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
4 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Laura McGee Kvasnosky
25 books19 followersLaura McGee Kvasnosky is the author-illustrator of many books for young readers, including the series Zelda & Ivy. She lives in Seattle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
November 23, 2013
A book my 6 yr old loved, a little old for my preschoolers. A solid reading level 4 book, this reader has a good amount of advanced vocabulary words, but not so long that it discourages a new reader. Used it for his read out loud book, which was perfect. It took about 20 mins for him to read and had just enough new vocabulary words to make it challenging. Also, it was a fun and interesting story he could get into.
April 17, 2013
Stories of Zelda and Ivy are full of insight into the life of sisters everywhere. This is one of a series of wonderful early chapter books for preschool and primary school children. Each chapter is a sensitive, believable and funny story of the fox sisters and their friends.
The illustrations are well designed with interesting point of view, and the style gives each image a spark of life. This author/illustrator is among the most kind, gentle, and inspiring people I have ever known, as she generously taught illustrator students about her books and illustration style.
Read the whole series. They are great!
The illustrations are well designed with interesting point of view, and the style gives each image a spark of life. This author/illustrator is among the most kind, gentle, and inspiring people I have ever known, as she generously taught illustrator students about her books and illustration style.
Read the whole series. They are great!
February 16, 2010
This is a great series for beginning readers. The fox sisters Zelda and Ivy go on these hilarious adventures together. In this book, they are running away from cucumber sandwiches only to return home and realize that they are still there. A lesson is taught about possessions and how it is difficult to give up something that you treasure.
April 3, 2022
The book was okay, it wasn't good or bad. Maybe if I grew up with a sister I would appreciate the series, Zelda and Ivy. The simplicity of the plots can be good for early readers. However trying to tell the two characters apart is a job in its self. Having something to tell the two apart would have been better like earrings, a hair bow , or belt.
October 31, 2021
Zelda and Ivy: the Runaways definitely deserves the Geisel award because it tells no one but three deprecate stories about Zelda and Ivy and the art is bright and colorful. We follow Zelda and Ivy threw three separate stories the first one is them rebelling against their parents because they do not want to eat a cucumber sandwich while the second chapter involves them making a time capsule and putting their favorite thing in it but that does not last long. Last but not least the one where Zelda was trying to come up with ideas for haiku for her grandmother but she is out of ideas. The three short stories are good but only one is the better of the three and that is the runaways. Because it has a sense of rebellion in it but they eventually realize their parents will not come looking for them and hear them dancing and return home. This one would be alright for teachers to use as a little book the class can read together but their is only meaning in the first chapter and kids can relate to it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2018
I wasn't a fan of this book. The illustrations were not very appealing and I did not like the use of the color red for the characters. The themes in each section were strong and would be good to read to young children, but there was not a wow factor that would make me want to pick up this book again. The pictures went well with the story and the composition of 1-page spreads was nicely done in the book. The lines of the pictures were distinct which made the relationship between the pictures and words easier to understand what was going on in the story. Overall, this book wasn't terrible in the aspects of being a picture book, however, it did not have any characteristics that I would help me to remember to pick it up again to read.
October 18, 2018
I give this book a 2/5 because it did not provide me a "wow" factor. The one-page spread was nice with the text on one side and a corresponding photo on the other. The illustrations were cute and colorful and interesting to look at. I feel they did correspond well with the text. It does remind me of my past because whenever something would happen at home I did not like I would pack a little bag and walk down around my block telling my parents I was running away. It was funny now that I look back, and my parents never took me seriously. I wish I enjoyed this book more, I just do not find myself looking to read it again.
April 25, 2018
Zelda and lvy by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
This book is talking about two animals, one is Zelda and other one is Lvy, they are sisters.
In the beginning, the younger one is play the circus, but she fall down and cry, and her sister go to comfort her, and tell her need to brave.
In the end, the sisterhelp her younger sister to sort out her tail, but is agile.
I don’t like this book is because it is so short.
This book is talking about two animals, one is Zelda and other one is Lvy, they are sisters.
In the beginning, the younger one is play the circus, but she fall down and cry, and her sister go to comfort her, and tell her need to brave.
In the end, the sisterhelp her younger sister to sort out her tail, but is agile.
I don’t like this book is because it is so short.
October 5, 2018
Geisel Award Winner
Fox sisters, Zelda and Ivy combat injustice of cucumber sandwiches by 'running away' to the backyard. They attempt to create a time capsule with their favorite toys. Finally, creative writer Zelda is suffering from writers' block. Perhaps Ivy can help with some creative juice.
Cute storylines, all concepts adults grew up with as kids; not my fave but I can understand the appeal;
Fox sisters, Zelda and Ivy combat injustice of cucumber sandwiches by 'running away' to the backyard. They attempt to create a time capsule with their favorite toys. Finally, creative writer Zelda is suffering from writers' block. Perhaps Ivy can help with some creative juice.
Cute storylines, all concepts adults grew up with as kids; not my fave but I can understand the appeal;
June 25, 2021
This was such an adorable book to read. Two sisters, Zelda and Ivy run away from home (to their backyard) in protest to avoid eating cucumber sandwiches. Ivy is so cute and worried about how sad their parents might be that the girls are gone, but headstrong Zelda comforts her that they're fine; eventually, Zelda gives in to her younger sister's concerns (maybe Zelda secretly wanted to go back home too hehe?). The ending was charming yet hilarious.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2021
I didn’t care for this book a whole lot, but it’s pretty good. I like how both of the main characters have similar issues throughout the story and how they deal with them in both similar and different ways.
May 21, 2021
Not ok. Displays bad middos. (Some parents may not find it so bad. It could be a matter of taste.) Text is on a 2nd grade level. The whole series has a thread of lying, trickery, sneaking, and bragging.
June 20, 2025
Two fox sisters, Zelda and Ivy, decide to stay outside all day in protest of cucumber sandwiches, make a time capsule, and send something to Grandma. This was okay. I would be interested in reading more of this series.
February 11, 2018
Cute 3 chapter story about 2 fox sisters. Each chapter is a story by itself. The story topics include running away from home, a time capsule, and a getting stuck while writing.
August 5, 2020
Didn't know about this series. Cute stories, delightful pictures. I will be checking more out.
September 18, 2021
Open Library.
August 31, 2022
I love this Audiobook on CD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2023
Read: 2018-12-17
November 27, 2012
Genre: Controlled Vocabulary
Title: Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways
Summary: This picture book has three chapters. In chapter 1, Ivy and Zelda run away to the backyard to avoid their father’s lunch of cucumber sandwiches. When they realized that their parents didn’t miss them, they begin to play and write stories. Finally, they go inside when they hear music. In chapter 2, the sisters decide to make a time capsule. Ivy put her lucky doll inside the box while Zelda put her luck jewel into the box. When the conclude that they can’t “live” without their treasures, each sneaks back to the box to retrieve the items replacing them with a worm book, which is the book that they wrote in the first chapter. In the final chapter, Zelda attempts to write a Haiku poem for their grandmother while Ivy walks around putting things such as a mint leaf, an eye lash and even orange juice inside a jar of liquid. When their friend Eugene comes for a visit, Ivy shares with him that Zelda is having difficulty with writing her poem. They both decide that the sister needs creative “juice” so they sprinkle it on her poem. Initially, she is angered, but then realizes that the liquid on the paper looks like a sunset. She then becomes inspired to draw a picture of a sunset to give to the grandmother. The girls end on a happy note as the story concludes.
a) Area for comment:
Critique:
b) The strength of this title is the illustration. The boldness of the lines indicates that the two fox sisters are smart and adventurous, and they are not afraid of a challenge. The texture of the pictures gives the reader the feeling of “coziness”, as the background and the fox’s clothes are rough and worn in their appearance while the girls fur is smoother and without as much texture indicating their confidence in whatever they attempt.
c) As on page one, you can very much tell how textured the picture is. The off white dresser in the background has black gritty looking feel on it, whilst the fox sisters have a smoothed finish. Their clothes, on the other hand, are also gritty and textured.
Curriculum connection: This book may be used in an art class, considering the style of art used it this book. The style is textured, how the shadows are presented in the book could be used as a guide line for children, or adults in an art class.
Title: Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways
Summary: This picture book has three chapters. In chapter 1, Ivy and Zelda run away to the backyard to avoid their father’s lunch of cucumber sandwiches. When they realized that their parents didn’t miss them, they begin to play and write stories. Finally, they go inside when they hear music. In chapter 2, the sisters decide to make a time capsule. Ivy put her lucky doll inside the box while Zelda put her luck jewel into the box. When the conclude that they can’t “live” without their treasures, each sneaks back to the box to retrieve the items replacing them with a worm book, which is the book that they wrote in the first chapter. In the final chapter, Zelda attempts to write a Haiku poem for their grandmother while Ivy walks around putting things such as a mint leaf, an eye lash and even orange juice inside a jar of liquid. When their friend Eugene comes for a visit, Ivy shares with him that Zelda is having difficulty with writing her poem. They both decide that the sister needs creative “juice” so they sprinkle it on her poem. Initially, she is angered, but then realizes that the liquid on the paper looks like a sunset. She then becomes inspired to draw a picture of a sunset to give to the grandmother. The girls end on a happy note as the story concludes.
a) Area for comment:
Critique:
b) The strength of this title is the illustration. The boldness of the lines indicates that the two fox sisters are smart and adventurous, and they are not afraid of a challenge. The texture of the pictures gives the reader the feeling of “coziness”, as the background and the fox’s clothes are rough and worn in their appearance while the girls fur is smoother and without as much texture indicating their confidence in whatever they attempt.
c) As on page one, you can very much tell how textured the picture is. The off white dresser in the background has black gritty looking feel on it, whilst the fox sisters have a smoothed finish. Their clothes, on the other hand, are also gritty and textured.
Curriculum connection: This book may be used in an art class, considering the style of art used it this book. The style is textured, how the shadows are presented in the book could be used as a guide line for children, or adults in an art class.
November 26, 2011
1. Genre: Picture Book/Controlled Vocabulary
2. Summary: No matter what Zelda and Ivy face, whether it be escaping from having to eat cucumbers sandwiches for lunch, trying to decide what to place in their time capsule, or coming up with something to write about, these two characters always face their challenges together.
3. Critique:
a. One of the greatest strengths of this title is the use of theme.
b. The strongest theme in this story is that of togetherness. Zelda and Ivy are always working together to solve the problems. Instead of fighting with one another or trying to work things out alone, they use two brains instead of one for figuring out what to do. “The fox sisters put on their PJs and waited for dark. To pass the time, they decorated the edge of the blanket with pussy-willow puffs. They figured out their names backwards: Adlez and Yvi. They wrote a two chapter book about a worm named Philip” (p. 9-11).
c. Throughout the story, Zelda’s character struggles with life’s lessons. She decides to run away after realizing her parents are serving cucumber sandwiches for lunch, again, and she experiences writer’s block when writing a haiku poem for her grandmother. Ivy comes to Zelda’s rescue by being a voice of reason. Working together with her sister, Ivy is able to come up with solutions to Zelda’s problems. “Zelda tore off the paper and read the label. ‘Creative juice! How does it work?’ Ivy sprinkled the creative juice on Zelda’s head. Some of it spilled on the journal as well” (p. 38-39).
4. Curriculum Connection: This book would be a great compliment for any educator teaching a lesson on writing. The third chapter of the book, “The Secret Concoction”, is an excellent example of why a little creativity goes a long way in developing a writing topic. Zelda and Ivy is a great introductory tool for teaching students about the importance of brainstorming and creating a plan for your writing. The theme of togetherness is also a great way of teaching students about collaborative learning!
2. Summary: No matter what Zelda and Ivy face, whether it be escaping from having to eat cucumbers sandwiches for lunch, trying to decide what to place in their time capsule, or coming up with something to write about, these two characters always face their challenges together.
3. Critique:
a. One of the greatest strengths of this title is the use of theme.
b. The strongest theme in this story is that of togetherness. Zelda and Ivy are always working together to solve the problems. Instead of fighting with one another or trying to work things out alone, they use two brains instead of one for figuring out what to do. “The fox sisters put on their PJs and waited for dark. To pass the time, they decorated the edge of the blanket with pussy-willow puffs. They figured out their names backwards: Adlez and Yvi. They wrote a two chapter book about a worm named Philip” (p. 9-11).
c. Throughout the story, Zelda’s character struggles with life’s lessons. She decides to run away after realizing her parents are serving cucumber sandwiches for lunch, again, and she experiences writer’s block when writing a haiku poem for her grandmother. Ivy comes to Zelda’s rescue by being a voice of reason. Working together with her sister, Ivy is able to come up with solutions to Zelda’s problems. “Zelda tore off the paper and read the label. ‘Creative juice! How does it work?’ Ivy sprinkled the creative juice on Zelda’s head. Some of it spilled on the journal as well” (p. 38-39).
4. Curriculum Connection: This book would be a great compliment for any educator teaching a lesson on writing. The third chapter of the book, “The Secret Concoction”, is an excellent example of why a little creativity goes a long way in developing a writing topic. Zelda and Ivy is a great introductory tool for teaching students about the importance of brainstorming and creating a plan for your writing. The theme of togetherness is also a great way of teaching students about collaborative learning!
Read
October 17, 20111. Controlled vocabulary, picture book
2. Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways tells the story of two fox sisters and their daily adventures. The book is divided up into three chapters which are all almost like stand-alone stories. The first is where Zelda and Ivy run away from home and hide out in the back yard because they do not want to eat cucumber sandwiches. The second is about them making a time capsule. The third is about a “potion” the children make.
3. One of the strengths of this book is its relatability. Despite being foxes, Zelda and Ivy are just your basic, everyday children doing things that most children can see themselves doing. The stories are a little bit like a child answering the question “what did you do today?” The answers a child could easily give would be “I didn’t want cucumber sandwiches, so I ran away” or “I made a secret concoction”. Any child reading this book is going to see themselves in the characters. For example, Ivy walks into the room shaking a jar of something, which we later learn is her “secret concoction” (pages 29-30). She adds orange juice (page 29) a Nutty Crunchy (page 34). This is something almost all children will do at some point in their lives. How many children at lunch mix the things they don’t want to eat and then dare each other to eat it? The story is on their level of experience and they will enjoy reading a silly story that is about people who are just like them.
4. The fact that this is a very small chapter book is one of the things I would use most in the classroom. It would be a good book for children just on the cusp of being able to read chapter books and because it is only three chapters, it isn’t as intimidating as some larger chapter books. The language is easy enough for newer readers and the story is not complicated or terribly dramatic, so it is a nice easy book to ease the transition from picture books to chapter books.
2. Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways tells the story of two fox sisters and their daily adventures. The book is divided up into three chapters which are all almost like stand-alone stories. The first is where Zelda and Ivy run away from home and hide out in the back yard because they do not want to eat cucumber sandwiches. The second is about them making a time capsule. The third is about a “potion” the children make.
3. One of the strengths of this book is its relatability. Despite being foxes, Zelda and Ivy are just your basic, everyday children doing things that most children can see themselves doing. The stories are a little bit like a child answering the question “what did you do today?” The answers a child could easily give would be “I didn’t want cucumber sandwiches, so I ran away” or “I made a secret concoction”. Any child reading this book is going to see themselves in the characters. For example, Ivy walks into the room shaking a jar of something, which we later learn is her “secret concoction” (pages 29-30). She adds orange juice (page 29) a Nutty Crunchy (page 34). This is something almost all children will do at some point in their lives. How many children at lunch mix the things they don’t want to eat and then dare each other to eat it? The story is on their level of experience and they will enjoy reading a silly story that is about people who are just like them.
4. The fact that this is a very small chapter book is one of the things I would use most in the classroom. It would be a good book for children just on the cusp of being able to read chapter books and because it is only three chapters, it isn’t as intimidating as some larger chapter books. The language is easy enough for newer readers and the story is not complicated or terribly dramatic, so it is a nice easy book to ease the transition from picture books to chapter books.
October 11, 2012
Zelda and Ivy The Runaways is a small easy to read chapter book written and illustrated by Laura McGee Kvasnosky. This book is classified as an easy reader for children because the simplicity of the text! Children would be able to read chapters on their own without being distracted or challenged. This book begins with two little girls who are actually foxes and they dislike what they are having for dinner. They decide to run away into the back yard and to wait until their parents miss them enough to quit making cucumber sandwiches. The girls become lonely and decide to go inside where the father immediately says how much the parents missed them and that he saved dinner! In the next chapter the two girls make a time capsule filled with their 2 favorite things for a young girl to find later on! Soon realizing they both miss their toys they take them out. When each sister comes to put it up they realize the other missed her belonging as well! The two put their toys and a book back into the capsule agreeing a book would be better than their toys. The third and final chapter the called the secret concoction. One sister is diligently working on a poem while the other is making a potion. She later calls this the creative potion which splatters onto her sisters poem. The poem then looks more like a painting so the sister completes it as such. This book would be a great free choice for new readers! There is an entire series of Zelda and Ivy books which makes it an excellent choice to possibly even read a loud. The illustrations are done with very viid colors and bold details. They would catch and hole the childs attention! The illustrations add to the story and they equal each other out and truly help tell the story inside and keep it going. The cover art is also very eye-catching! I love how Kvasnosky shows the action of the first chapter and includes the important characters right from the beginning! A fantastic childrens book!
November 7, 2011
1. Picture book: Controlled vocabulary
2. Zelda and Ivy are not fond of cucumber sandwiches so they decide to run away. As a result, they realize they're better off just staying at home. Zelda and Ivy also build a time capsule and Zelda aids Ivy with a Secret Concoction to help Ivy's creativity.
3. a. Content/subject matter
b. The author, Laura McGee, does an excellent job of creating a controlled vocabulary story with subjects and topics that most children can relate to.
c. The idea that children often have one type of food that they do not like is very common. Even if they like the food, children often want something different. Often children think if they runaway they can get what they want. This story shows the benefits of living at home. Zelda and Ivy trade a sandwich for life behind the bushes, but they are still hungry and bored. In the mean time, their parents go about their evening normally. It is the music that draws Zelda and Ivy back into their house. One thing I remember about growing up, is music. Children usually are exposed to food and music at home so this topic is very relatable and understandable for young readers. Also, the idea of a time capsule may be not so familiar to all readers, but the readers can relate to missing a favorite doll or a lucky object. Finally, the topic of creativity is common. Ivy struggles with a poem, but she refuses to give up until her work is complete. In the end she makes something completely different, but her work pays off and she is satisfied.
4. This short picture/controlled vocabulary book can be read-aloud to Pre-K and Kindergarten children, but I feel as if it would be a great SSR book for beginning readers. Zelda and Ivy experience a feeling that is very common among young children, and the readability of this story gives new readers confidence.
2. Zelda and Ivy are not fond of cucumber sandwiches so they decide to run away. As a result, they realize they're better off just staying at home. Zelda and Ivy also build a time capsule and Zelda aids Ivy with a Secret Concoction to help Ivy's creativity.
3. a. Content/subject matter
b. The author, Laura McGee, does an excellent job of creating a controlled vocabulary story with subjects and topics that most children can relate to.
c. The idea that children often have one type of food that they do not like is very common. Even if they like the food, children often want something different. Often children think if they runaway they can get what they want. This story shows the benefits of living at home. Zelda and Ivy trade a sandwich for life behind the bushes, but they are still hungry and bored. In the mean time, their parents go about their evening normally. It is the music that draws Zelda and Ivy back into their house. One thing I remember about growing up, is music. Children usually are exposed to food and music at home so this topic is very relatable and understandable for young readers. Also, the idea of a time capsule may be not so familiar to all readers, but the readers can relate to missing a favorite doll or a lucky object. Finally, the topic of creativity is common. Ivy struggles with a poem, but she refuses to give up until her work is complete. In the end she makes something completely different, but her work pays off and she is satisfied.
4. This short picture/controlled vocabulary book can be read-aloud to Pre-K and Kindergarten children, but I feel as if it would be a great SSR book for beginning readers. Zelda and Ivy experience a feeling that is very common among young children, and the readability of this story gives new readers confidence.
April 23, 2009
A gentle story about the daily adventures of two fox sisters, Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways has three chapters that work as stand alone stories, but are also interconnected. In the first story, outraged by the prospect of cucumber sandwiches for lunch again, the sisters run away to their backyard, but are ultimately pulled back home by the sound of music which promises salsa dancing. The second story involves a time capsule in which the girls place their dearest items, only to replace them with a book they wrote during their previous time running away. The final story involves two storylines that come together at the end: Ivy is making a liquid secret concoction while Zelda tries to write a haiku for their grandmother. When their friend Eugene suggests that what Zelda needs is creative juice, Ivy knows exactly what to do.
Zelda and Ivy are your typical every day little kids - while nothing terribly exciting happens in these stories, readers will easily recognize the same types of activities that they and their friends participate in. This is not for the earliest readers as some tougher words like haiku are included in the text, but newly confident readers will find the level to be just right. The illustrations, done by the author in gouache resist, are nicely varied with spot art, full-page illustrations and partial boxed illustrations alternating. The boxed illustrations are often unable to contain the fox girls with limbs or tails escaping the confined areas. In a nice detail, Zelda and Ivy have slightly different color fur which will help perceptive readers keep track of which girl is which. Zelda and Ivy would pair well with the Amanda Pig easy readers for fans of gentle adventures with animal characters, and will appeal particularly to girls.
Zelda and Ivy are your typical every day little kids - while nothing terribly exciting happens in these stories, readers will easily recognize the same types of activities that they and their friends participate in. This is not for the earliest readers as some tougher words like haiku are included in the text, but newly confident readers will find the level to be just right. The illustrations, done by the author in gouache resist, are nicely varied with spot art, full-page illustrations and partial boxed illustrations alternating. The boxed illustrations are often unable to contain the fox girls with limbs or tails escaping the confined areas. In a nice detail, Zelda and Ivy have slightly different color fur which will help perceptive readers keep track of which girl is which. Zelda and Ivy would pair well with the Amanda Pig easy readers for fans of gentle adventures with animal characters, and will appeal particularly to girls.
December 5, 2012
1. Genre: Controlled Vocabulary
2. Summary: This book is about the everyday lives of two fox sisters. They runaway in protest to cucumber sandwiches, they bury a time capsule with a lucky jewel and doll, and Ivy makes "creative juice" to help Zelda with a gift for their grandmother.
3a. Content
3b. This book is classified as a beginning reader book. It uses simple sentences with easy vocabulary, allowing children to advance their reading skills without confusing grammar or words. There are some words, however, that Kvasnosky uses that I believe could be too advanced for the age group, thereby confusing children and taking away from learning the flow and ease of reading.
3c. In the last chapter, Kvasnosky uses the word "concoction" to describe something Ivy mixes up for Zelda.
4. Curriculum Connection: This book is good as a prompt for writing. It provides two different characters who must make decisions, and explains how they come to their own decisions. It also has good use of simple conjunctions, allowing for the opportunity to teach about conjunctions.
2. Summary: This book is about the everyday lives of two fox sisters. They runaway in protest to cucumber sandwiches, they bury a time capsule with a lucky jewel and doll, and Ivy makes "creative juice" to help Zelda with a gift for their grandmother.
3a. Content
3b. This book is classified as a beginning reader book. It uses simple sentences with easy vocabulary, allowing children to advance their reading skills without confusing grammar or words. There are some words, however, that Kvasnosky uses that I believe could be too advanced for the age group, thereby confusing children and taking away from learning the flow and ease of reading.
3c. In the last chapter, Kvasnosky uses the word "concoction" to describe something Ivy mixes up for Zelda.
4. Curriculum Connection: This book is good as a prompt for writing. It provides two different characters who must make decisions, and explains how they come to their own decisions. It also has good use of simple conjunctions, allowing for the opportunity to teach about conjunctions.
March 7, 2013
Zelda and Ivy written by Laura McGee Kvasnosky is an okay book. I think this book is best suited for children in the first or second grade. The book is a very simple read with simple diction and picture books. The book is about two fox sisters Zelda and Ivy, and it is divided into 3 chapters. The first chapter is about Zelda and Ivy running away. They runaway because their parents made them cucumber sandwiches for lunch, but they didn't want that for lunch. they were sad when they found out their parents weren't looking or them so they went back home. The second chapter is about the two sisters making a time capsule. The two were suppose to wait and not open it, so they buried it in the backyard. Eventually Zelda digs up the time capsule and Ivy gets mad. the third chapter is about Ivy making a secret concoction while Zelda works on a haiku. the rest of the chapter is about the sisters putting in different ingredients into the jar. I wouldn't read this to my class because it doesn't teach a lesson or have a reason for the book.
July 1, 2011
Zelda and Ivy the Runaways
Reading Level: Easy Reader
Genre: Fiction, Adventure, humor
Illustrator: Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Zelda and Ivy are fox sisters and this book contains three separate chapters of their adventures. The author does a good job setting up the chapters for this easy reader. They are not overwhelming but I think it’s a good first step for children to become familiar with chapter books. It’s a book about sisterhood and it has some humor in it that I think children will enjoy. In the first chapter the sisters are fed up with having cucumber sandwiches for lunch. They decide to rebel and run away (to the backyard). I think many children can relate to this story, it was very comical as an adult reading it as they can remember a similar situation in their own life, yet at the same time probably relatable for a young child. The second chapter is about the girls’ creating a time capsule, and the third about one of the sister’s struggling with writer’s block.
Reading Level: Easy Reader
Genre: Fiction, Adventure, humor
Illustrator: Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Zelda and Ivy are fox sisters and this book contains three separate chapters of their adventures. The author does a good job setting up the chapters for this easy reader. They are not overwhelming but I think it’s a good first step for children to become familiar with chapter books. It’s a book about sisterhood and it has some humor in it that I think children will enjoy. In the first chapter the sisters are fed up with having cucumber sandwiches for lunch. They decide to rebel and run away (to the backyard). I think many children can relate to this story, it was very comical as an adult reading it as they can remember a similar situation in their own life, yet at the same time probably relatable for a young child. The second chapter is about the girls’ creating a time capsule, and the third about one of the sister’s struggling with writer’s block.
February 14, 2025
• 2007 Geisel Winner •
(Review from February 22, 2018)
I thought this was ok. The illustrations are good but the roughness isn’t really my style, and I don’t like that one of the foxes (Zelda) is pink - it’s just sort of weird. The stories are ok, but I just felt kind of annoyed that their parents made sandwiches they didn’t like so they ran away, and when Ivy threw the juice on Zelda I felt sort of irritated and bad for her. Zelda was mad for a second then carried on. I guess she was being positive!
(Review from February 13, 2025)
I liked this book a bit better the second time around. I didn’t mind the illustration style but still didn’t like that Zelda is kind of this hot pink color. Was rather amused at the random items the twins put in their suitcases when they wanted to run away (nothing practical except pj’s).
Materials used: “gouache resist”
Typeface used: Display: “hand lettered by the author-illustrator”; Text: Galliard
(Review from February 22, 2018)
I thought this was ok. The illustrations are good but the roughness isn’t really my style, and I don’t like that one of the foxes (Zelda) is pink - it’s just sort of weird. The stories are ok, but I just felt kind of annoyed that their parents made sandwiches they didn’t like so they ran away, and when Ivy threw the juice on Zelda I felt sort of irritated and bad for her. Zelda was mad for a second then carried on. I guess she was being positive!
(Review from February 13, 2025)
I liked this book a bit better the second time around. I didn’t mind the illustration style but still didn’t like that Zelda is kind of this hot pink color. Was rather amused at the random items the twins put in their suitcases when they wanted to run away (nothing practical except pj’s).
Materials used: “gouache resist”
Typeface used: Display: “hand lettered by the author-illustrator”; Text: Galliard
October 24, 2012
This book was a very very simple read. It didn't really have a great "Aha!" moment or moral, like I personally like for children's books to have. Rather, the two girls would change there mind suddenly and go back on what they had done the page before. This is why I only gave the book 4 stars. I do think that the illustrations and overall stories would be great for kindergarten students or students around the kindergarten reading level. I didn't personally like this book very much and probably won't use it in my own classroom. The illustrations are wonderful though. They have bright colors and personified foxes that wear clothes. The illustration on the cover of this book is why I chose it.
March 12, 2015
Zelda and Ivy are two little fox sisters. They seem to get along pretty well, even when Zelda's plans are...problematic.
This short chapter book is divided into three true-to-life adventures (one per chapter) and should be a slightly challenging read for an enthusiastic beginning reader, or a good choice to read together.
There are other books in the "Zelda and Ivy" series, but this one seems to stand alone pretty well. Each chapter can also stand alone, though there are call-backs to previous chapters, they don't affect the understanding of the plot.
I would recommend this book to all the Zeldas and Ivys of the world, even the ones hiding from cucumber sandwiches.
This short chapter book is divided into three true-to-life adventures (one per chapter) and should be a slightly challenging read for an enthusiastic beginning reader, or a good choice to read together.
There are other books in the "Zelda and Ivy" series, but this one seems to stand alone pretty well. Each chapter can also stand alone, though there are call-backs to previous chapters, they don't affect the understanding of the plot.
I would recommend this book to all the Zeldas and Ivys of the world, even the ones hiding from cucumber sandwiches.
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