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Ivy & Bean #5
Bound to be Bad
A Netflix Original Film Series
A New York Times Bestselling Series
Over 8 Million Copies Sold
The adventures of Ivy and Bean continue in the latest installment from series creators Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall. In Ivy and Bean Bound to Be Bad the two girls decide to be so good and kind and pure of thought that wild animals will befriend them. When this doesn't work, they decide that perhaps a little badness can be good.
A New York Times Bestselling Series
Over 8 Million Copies Sold
The adventures of Ivy and Bean continue in the latest installment from series creators Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall. In Ivy and Bean Bound to Be Bad the two girls decide to be so good and kind and pure of thought that wild animals will befriend them. When this doesn't work, they decide that perhaps a little badness can be good.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
466 people are currently reading
1107 people want to read
About the author
Annie Barrows
74 books989 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 172 reviews
March 4, 2019
When Bean's day gets off on the wrong foot, and she finds herself consigned to doing the breakfast dishes (even though it isn't her turn), as punishment for licking her plate, as well as forced to pay Nancy for the yarn she has taken, she takes off for Ivy's house, hoping for a distraction from her troubles. There she finds her friend determinedly being good, under the impression that the pure of heart will attract the birds and the beasts - specifically, wolves - to her side. Being pure of heart is hard work, though, as Ivy and Bean discover, when confronting the neighborhood bully, Crummy Matt. Being bad - so that they can then be reformed - can be tough as well, however - especially since, as Bean notes at one point, it can be catching...
Another amusing entry in author Annie Barrows and illustrator Sophie Blackall's chapter-book series about second-grade friends Ivy and Bean, Ivy + Bean: Bound To Be Bad offers an interesting and somewhat unconventional take on virtue and vice, as seen by the primary school set. I thought the way that the characters turned being good - as well as being bad - into a game was spot on, as this is how children often learn complex things: by acting them out. Like another reviewer, I do wish that the inspiration for Ivy's little project - it is clearly meant to be St. Francis of Assisi - had been spelled out, although I was charmed by the discussion in which the (unnamed) saint is compared to Disney's Snow White, who also managed to attract birds. I got a chuckle out of the following exchange:
Ivy made a face. "Snow White wasn't good. She was a goonball. Everyone knows you're not supposed to eat stuff you get from strangers."
"But the birds liked her," said Bean.
"Maybe the birds felt sorry for her, but they didn't think she was one of them," said Ivy. "Anyway, I don't want to be like Snow White. I want to be like the guy in the picture. I want a wolf to follow me because I'm pure of heart."
This scene struck me as one more example of intelligent use of dialogue, from this charming series! I bought the first five books in the Ivy and Bean series at the same time, and although I had some reservations about the fourth entry ( Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter ), this fifth one was enough to convince me to go on with them...
Another amusing entry in author Annie Barrows and illustrator Sophie Blackall's chapter-book series about second-grade friends Ivy and Bean, Ivy + Bean: Bound To Be Bad offers an interesting and somewhat unconventional take on virtue and vice, as seen by the primary school set. I thought the way that the characters turned being good - as well as being bad - into a game was spot on, as this is how children often learn complex things: by acting them out. Like another reviewer, I do wish that the inspiration for Ivy's little project - it is clearly meant to be St. Francis of Assisi - had been spelled out, although I was charmed by the discussion in which the (unnamed) saint is compared to Disney's Snow White, who also managed to attract birds. I got a chuckle out of the following exchange:
Ivy made a face. "Snow White wasn't good. She was a goonball. Everyone knows you're not supposed to eat stuff you get from strangers."
"But the birds liked her," said Bean.
"Maybe the birds felt sorry for her, but they didn't think she was one of them," said Ivy. "Anyway, I don't want to be like Snow White. I want to be like the guy in the picture. I want a wolf to follow me because I'm pure of heart."
This scene struck me as one more example of intelligent use of dialogue, from this charming series! I bought the first five books in the Ivy and Bean series at the same time, and although I had some reservations about the fourth entry ( Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter ), this fifth one was enough to convince me to go on with them...
February 19, 2013
This book was surprisingly... boring. Other books that I've read in this series all have a solid plot to drive the story along, but this one just seemed lacking.
Ivy was on a mission to be "pure of heart" in order to attract wild animals who would love her for her goodness. It seemed to me that Ivy's inspiration came from having seen a picture of St. Francis of Assisi, and it would have been nice if the book had mentioned him by name, like how Book 3 mentioned Mary Anning by name. Anyway, Ivy decided that the best way to be good would be for Bean to be especially bad, and then Ivy could reform her. Somehow, the story just didn't pull me in. I wasn't really interested in finding out what would happen next.
Now, you might think, from my previous reviews of these books, that the "bad" versus "good" behavior would turn me off. Actually, I liked the tone set by the opening chapters, in which Bean's bad behavior was explicitly presented as "bad", and she finally faced clear consequences for her actions. Even when Bean - and the other neighborhood kids - were purposely trying to behave badly, I was somehow less bothered by the bad behavior in this book than in other Ivy + Bean books because in this case, the context showed that the kids clearly understood that they were behaving badly. They chose to behave badly, which means they understood that bad behavior resulted from bad decisions. (In other Ivy + Bean books, bad behavior comes across as just "regular behavior", and consequences are rare.)
Ironically, Isabelle was turned off enough by the bad behavior in this book that she at first gave it 2 stars! But then she upgraded it to 4 stars because she admitted that she still enjoyed the book. And she did read it mostly in one sitting, with just one snack break.
Most of the bad behavior in this book did not involve mistreating others, but when it did, I was on the one hand gratified that Ivy and Bean did not get away with their meanness (finally!), but on the other hand disappointed that the other kids returned meanness with more meanness (even if it was kind of funny).
Ivy was on a mission to be "pure of heart" in order to attract wild animals who would love her for her goodness. It seemed to me that Ivy's inspiration came from having seen a picture of St. Francis of Assisi, and it would have been nice if the book had mentioned him by name, like how Book 3 mentioned Mary Anning by name. Anyway, Ivy decided that the best way to be good would be for Bean to be especially bad, and then Ivy could reform her. Somehow, the story just didn't pull me in. I wasn't really interested in finding out what would happen next.
Now, you might think, from my previous reviews of these books, that the "bad" versus "good" behavior would turn me off. Actually, I liked the tone set by the opening chapters, in which Bean's bad behavior was explicitly presented as "bad", and she finally faced clear consequences for her actions. Even when Bean - and the other neighborhood kids - were purposely trying to behave badly, I was somehow less bothered by the bad behavior in this book than in other Ivy + Bean books because in this case, the context showed that the kids clearly understood that they were behaving badly. They chose to behave badly, which means they understood that bad behavior resulted from bad decisions. (In other Ivy + Bean books, bad behavior comes across as just "regular behavior", and consequences are rare.)
Ironically, Isabelle was turned off enough by the bad behavior in this book that she at first gave it 2 stars! But then she upgraded it to 4 stars because she admitted that she still enjoyed the book. And she did read it mostly in one sitting, with just one snack break.
Most of the bad behavior in this book did not involve mistreating others, but when it did, I was on the one hand gratified that Ivy and Bean did not get away with their meanness (finally!), but on the other hand disappointed that the other kids returned meanness with more meanness (even if it was kind of funny).
April 29, 2015
This is book 5 of Ivy and Bean, and it was HILARIOUS! I was laughing and laughing.
The title's a pun: Of course, Ivy and Bean are bound to be bad (as in acting out), but in this book they also end up tied up (literally) as a result of their bad behavior.
Bean is a wild little girl who plays jokes on people, has a smart mouth, and loves playing outside and getting dirty. Ivy wears dresses, reads tons of books, and is very soft-spoken. They are best friends and have many adventures together.
Bean is contemplating her badness levels after she gets scolded by her parents and older sister multiple times. She tries to play House with Katy (after Katy refuses to play Starving Orphans) but quickly gets bored. She goes to Ivy's house to find her standing silently in the garden, with her arms raised to the sky. Bean asks her what she is doing, and Ivy replies that she's trying to be good. She only whispers.
"Why do you have to be so quiet about it?" Now Bean was whispering too.
"Because I don't want to scare the birds away. I'm trying to be so good that birds land on my fingers and wolves come out of the woods and follow me down the street," Ivy explained.
Bean stared. "Why would being good make birds land on your fingers and wolves do whatever you just said?"
"I found out about it yesterday. If you're super-good and pure of heart, animals think you're one of them and they love you and follow you around."
Ivy's arms were trembling. She must have been holding them up for a while. "Are you sure about this?" asked Bean.
"Positive. I saw it in a picture. There was this guy with birds flying all around him and a wolf licking his foot. My mom said this guy was so good that wild beasts talked to him and birds swarmed after him."
"I don't get it. WHY did the birds swarm after him?"
"Because his heart was so pure and kind that they saw that he was the same as an animal on the inside. They loved him," Ivy said.
Ivy and Bean make a plan to be so good and pure of heart that birds will come to them. They are starting with birds and not wolves because birds are stupider. They think nice thoughts about everyone - even Crummy Matt who lives down the street and tells kids that chocolate milk is brown because there is poop in it.
When this "good thoughts" thing doesn't work, they decide to stop reform something bad, namely Crummy Matt, and therefore they would be doing something very good. Bean says that "that would mean we were so good that we could infect other people with our goodness."
First, they stop at Ivy's house for a snack. This leads to a hilarious conversation with Ivy's mom.
They walked towards the living room. Ivy's mom was lying on the couch with cucumbers all over her face. By now Bean was so good she didn't even laugh.
"Bye, Mom," said Ivy. "I love you."
Ivy's mom lifted her head a little. A cucumber fell on the floor. "What?"
"I love you."
"Where are you going? It sounds like you're leaving forever," said Ivy's mom. More cucumbers fell off her face.
"We're going over to Matt's," said Ivy.
"You are? I thought you didn't like him," said Ivy's mom.
"Sure I like him," said Ivy. "I love everybody."
"You do?" Ivy's mom sounded surprised.
"Yes I do," said Ivy.
"It's no good saying it inside," Bean pointed out. "The birds can't hear you."
"Birds?" said Ivy's mom. "What birds?"
"We might have a bunch of birds coming to visit," explained Ivy.
"And something else, too," said Bean. "Something with lots of teeth. But don't worry."
I was laughing hysterically by this point, and things only get stranger.
Ivy and Bean approach Crummy Matt on their mission to "infect people with good." He's standing in front of a bunch of kids, holding his pet rat, Blister, by the tail. It's very cruel, and this part makes me anxious.
Ivy begs Matt to put Blister down. He doesn't. Then Ivy makes an impassioned plea, and promises to be his friend forever if he puts the rat down. Surprisingly, he does, but only to rip the headband off Ivy's head and throw it in the street.
Once again, Ivy and Bean try very hard to be good. But it isn't working. Then Ivy has a wonderful idea. What if Bean was bad? Very, very bad? Then Ivy, the good and pure of heart, could reform Bean. Surely that would be good enough to get all the little animals to love them.
At this point the book gets kind of crazy, with Bean acting as bad as she knows how - and it turns out being bad is WAY more contagious than being good. Needless to say, the neighborhood becomes under attack of a bunch of little kids acting out. Hilarity ensues.
As in the last book (4), I felt that this installment showed nice progression (better than books 1,2, and 3). The book starts out in one place (Bean feeling bad about being a "bad girl"), going to a totally different place (Ivy and Bean's plan to be good and pure of heart), turning into Bean acting horrid on purpose so that Ivy can reform her, and ending in a totally different place that I won't spoil for you. It's very satisfying to read a chapter books for little kids that actually goes somewhere instead of having chapters that just divide up the same long idea. This book and book 4 allows the reader to go on an actual journey, just like in a book aimed at older audiences. I really appreciate this, and I think parents will too - especially if their child still likes being read out loud to.
I thought Ivy's idea of being good in order to charm animals to be HILARIOUS and something that a 7-year-old would actually try. Bean becoming "bad" and Ivy chasing her around begging her to repent was also very funny. This is the funniest installment in the series so far.
However, a big drawback in this book is animal cruelty in the form of holding a rat up by it's tail (and for a long time) which really, really bothers me. Pet rats are so stoic, sweet, loving and cute and it tears me up to see one being treated like this. It's true there is a kind of "happy ending" for poor little Blister, but it pains me to think of him living out his short, furry life in Matt's clutches. :(
All in all, Barrows does a great job of getting into a 7-year-old's head.
The title's a pun: Of course, Ivy and Bean are bound to be bad (as in acting out), but in this book they also end up tied up (literally) as a result of their bad behavior.
Bean is a wild little girl who plays jokes on people, has a smart mouth, and loves playing outside and getting dirty. Ivy wears dresses, reads tons of books, and is very soft-spoken. They are best friends and have many adventures together.
Bean is contemplating her badness levels after she gets scolded by her parents and older sister multiple times. She tries to play House with Katy (after Katy refuses to play Starving Orphans) but quickly gets bored. She goes to Ivy's house to find her standing silently in the garden, with her arms raised to the sky. Bean asks her what she is doing, and Ivy replies that she's trying to be good. She only whispers.
"Why do you have to be so quiet about it?" Now Bean was whispering too.
"Because I don't want to scare the birds away. I'm trying to be so good that birds land on my fingers and wolves come out of the woods and follow me down the street," Ivy explained.
Bean stared. "Why would being good make birds land on your fingers and wolves do whatever you just said?"
"I found out about it yesterday. If you're super-good and pure of heart, animals think you're one of them and they love you and follow you around."
Ivy's arms were trembling. She must have been holding them up for a while. "Are you sure about this?" asked Bean.
"Positive. I saw it in a picture. There was this guy with birds flying all around him and a wolf licking his foot. My mom said this guy was so good that wild beasts talked to him and birds swarmed after him."
"I don't get it. WHY did the birds swarm after him?"
"Because his heart was so pure and kind that they saw that he was the same as an animal on the inside. They loved him," Ivy said.
Ivy and Bean make a plan to be so good and pure of heart that birds will come to them. They are starting with birds and not wolves because birds are stupider. They think nice thoughts about everyone - even Crummy Matt who lives down the street and tells kids that chocolate milk is brown because there is poop in it.
When this "good thoughts" thing doesn't work, they decide to stop reform something bad, namely Crummy Matt, and therefore they would be doing something very good. Bean says that "that would mean we were so good that we could infect other people with our goodness."
First, they stop at Ivy's house for a snack. This leads to a hilarious conversation with Ivy's mom.
They walked towards the living room. Ivy's mom was lying on the couch with cucumbers all over her face. By now Bean was so good she didn't even laugh.
"Bye, Mom," said Ivy. "I love you."
Ivy's mom lifted her head a little. A cucumber fell on the floor. "What?"
"I love you."
"Where are you going? It sounds like you're leaving forever," said Ivy's mom. More cucumbers fell off her face.
"We're going over to Matt's," said Ivy.
"You are? I thought you didn't like him," said Ivy's mom.
"Sure I like him," said Ivy. "I love everybody."
"You do?" Ivy's mom sounded surprised.
"Yes I do," said Ivy.
"It's no good saying it inside," Bean pointed out. "The birds can't hear you."
"Birds?" said Ivy's mom. "What birds?"
"We might have a bunch of birds coming to visit," explained Ivy.
"And something else, too," said Bean. "Something with lots of teeth. But don't worry."
I was laughing hysterically by this point, and things only get stranger.
Ivy and Bean approach Crummy Matt on their mission to "infect people with good." He's standing in front of a bunch of kids, holding his pet rat, Blister, by the tail. It's very cruel, and this part makes me anxious.
Ivy begs Matt to put Blister down. He doesn't. Then Ivy makes an impassioned plea, and promises to be his friend forever if he puts the rat down. Surprisingly, he does, but only to rip the headband off Ivy's head and throw it in the street.
Once again, Ivy and Bean try very hard to be good. But it isn't working. Then Ivy has a wonderful idea. What if Bean was bad? Very, very bad? Then Ivy, the good and pure of heart, could reform Bean. Surely that would be good enough to get all the little animals to love them.
At this point the book gets kind of crazy, with Bean acting as bad as she knows how - and it turns out being bad is WAY more contagious than being good. Needless to say, the neighborhood becomes under attack of a bunch of little kids acting out. Hilarity ensues.
As in the last book (4), I felt that this installment showed nice progression (better than books 1,2, and 3). The book starts out in one place (Bean feeling bad about being a "bad girl"), going to a totally different place (Ivy and Bean's plan to be good and pure of heart), turning into Bean acting horrid on purpose so that Ivy can reform her, and ending in a totally different place that I won't spoil for you. It's very satisfying to read a chapter books for little kids that actually goes somewhere instead of having chapters that just divide up the same long idea. This book and book 4 allows the reader to go on an actual journey, just like in a book aimed at older audiences. I really appreciate this, and I think parents will too - especially if their child still likes being read out loud to.
I thought Ivy's idea of being good in order to charm animals to be HILARIOUS and something that a 7-year-old would actually try. Bean becoming "bad" and Ivy chasing her around begging her to repent was also very funny. This is the funniest installment in the series so far.
However, a big drawback in this book is animal cruelty in the form of holding a rat up by it's tail (and for a long time) which really, really bothers me. Pet rats are so stoic, sweet, loving and cute and it tears me up to see one being treated like this. It's true there is a kind of "happy ending" for poor little Blister, but it pains me to think of him living out his short, furry life in Matt's clutches. :(
All in all, Barrows does a great job of getting into a 7-year-old's head.
April 18, 2014
This was the best Ivy & Bean since the first one. Both my 5 & 7 year old loved it. My 7 year old, who usually has an aversion to chapter books, even asked to have more read over a picture book.
They really loved the concept of kids acting badly on purpose. It was not laugh out loud funny, but I could see they took a gleeful pleasure in the events as Bean tried to be increasingly bad.
As a mother, I liked how the stuff they did was never really all that bad, no matter how hard they tried. I also liked how at the end, they ended up playing with the bully. They never really got in trouble, but they did sort of get a consequence. The kids all sorted themselves out and nothing really was damaged, except Katy's dress.
I think it was very well done all around. A great book for 5-7 though it would probably not hold the attention of a 9 year old.
They really loved the concept of kids acting badly on purpose. It was not laugh out loud funny, but I could see they took a gleeful pleasure in the events as Bean tried to be increasingly bad.
As a mother, I liked how the stuff they did was never really all that bad, no matter how hard they tried. I also liked how at the end, they ended up playing with the bully. They never really got in trouble, but they did sort of get a consequence. The kids all sorted themselves out and nothing really was damaged, except Katy's dress.
I think it was very well done all around. A great book for 5-7 though it would probably not hold the attention of a 9 year old.
January 27, 2020
I must have suffered from abibiliophobia (fear of running out of things to read) so I picked this book, which has been sitting on my daughter's shelf for ages.
Though a children's read, I do enjoy it. The laughter, imagination, childhood stupidity and fun make it super duper exciting.
I have to be fair in giving 3 stars because there is no character development in both Ivy and Bean. I was expecting some sort of twist in the plot but to no avail.
But that is ok. As long as I complete the book, all is good!!.
Though a children's read, I do enjoy it. The laughter, imagination, childhood stupidity and fun make it super duper exciting.
I have to be fair in giving 3 stars because there is no character development in both Ivy and Bean. I was expecting some sort of twist in the plot but to no avail.
But that is ok. As long as I complete the book, all is good!!.
January 1, 2013
Since our granddaughters enjoyed this delightful series so much, I decided to read the books also. Many of Ivy's and Beans's characteristics remind me of our fun granddaughters.
July 31, 2013
Too naughty. My oldest daughter suggested we read something else (ie: not Ivy and Bean #6) midway through this book. We did vastly enjoy the quiz at the end.
January 13, 2019
I love all of the Ivy and bean books
November 15, 2009
I had never heard of this series but I have to say that I think it is precious. The Ivy and Bean books are small in size, chapter books for younger readers, include some pictures and are fun while maintaining realism. I think 2-5 grade girls would have fun reading the Ivy and Bean series. I found the fifth book so it would have been nice to have already read the previous four but nonetheless I was entertained by "Bound to be Bad." Bean is sort of the "bad" girl and Ivy is known to always be good and nice. In book #5 both girls decide to be really good, the best kids in town even. Throughout the book various events cause each girl to act good, bad or regular. Its always changing! I like how this book contains realism and adventure. I think that is what every kid needs!
June 26, 2015
This is the fifth book in the Ivy + Bean series by Annie Barrows. We've listened to a couple of books in the series on audio CD, but we just never really got into them.
I know for sure that I don't like some of the things that the girls do and I would highly discourage our girls from copying them. I really dislike how Bean and her sister treat each other. And while the relationships between the children in the neighborhood seem sincere, it's not exactly model behavior.
We owned this book, but I don't think our girls ever read it. I read it just before we donated it to our girls elementary school library for the annual book swap.
I know for sure that I don't like some of the things that the girls do and I would highly discourage our girls from copying them. I really dislike how Bean and her sister treat each other. And while the relationships between the children in the neighborhood seem sincere, it's not exactly model behavior.
We owned this book, but I don't think our girls ever read it. I read it just before we donated it to our girls elementary school library for the annual book swap.
February 23, 2017
Unlikely friends, Ivy and Bean, are attempting to become so "pure of heart" that animals will befriend them due to their innate goodness. Ivy gets the idea after seeing a picture of a man (apparently St Francis of Assisi, though he's never named) who did just the same thing. When goodness doesn't work, the girls think perhaps a dramatic reform from badness will do the trick.
See my review of the series as a whole here.
**For basic reading comprehension questions for this book, check out my Teachers Pay Teachers store.**
See my review of the series as a whole here.
**For basic reading comprehension questions for this book, check out my Teachers Pay Teachers store.**
May 26, 2012
i read this book in two days. you know what i didnt like i didnt like crummy matt.
i really liked when bean made a volcano out of dirt at sophie's house. nothing else. this is my favorite ivy and bean book that i have read so far.
i really liked when bean made a volcano out of dirt at sophie's house. nothing else. this is my favorite ivy and bean book that i have read so far.
April 23, 2013
Like I have said about the other four books, I'm not a big fan, but my daughter is! This one is rough for my parenting style - kids being bad on purpose. Geez. I want to put the kibosh on #6, but I guess you have to pick your battles...
April 8, 2013
Loved it! Kid and I rolled laughing!
January 26, 2021
Bean has turned bad, can Ivy fix her before they both get tied up by Crummy Mat?
April 30, 2022
Tää ei ollu niin hyvä Isa ja Bea ehkä mun inhokki Isa ja Bea.
November 13, 2019
Unlikely friends, Ivy and Bean, are attempting to become so "pure of heart" that animals will befriend them due to their innate goodness. Ivy gets the idea after seeing a picture of a man (apparently St Francis of Assisi, though he's never named) who did just the same thing. When goodness doesn't work, the girls think perhaps a dramatic reform from badness will do the trick.
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
August 31, 2017
This might be my favorite book of the series, because of how much the Ivy and Bean train goes off the rails. It definitely veers away from the realism that the other books have, but it really gets into some insightful observations about the way children try to navigate exactly what it means to be "good" and "bad." The truth is that kids this age CAN get extremely naughty and their ideas can lead them into huge trouble, and that makes the book more realistic than books which tend to portray mischief as something "cute" and "precious."
August 27, 2018
I read almost the entirety of this on my lunch break. The print is big, the pages small, the illustrations cute, so I imagine it would be good for a reader just beginning with chapter books.
The characters are rather fun to watch (though fairly selfish). The plot is cute—though a bit sparse—and the ending well done. It's not hugely funny, but a few parts had me smiling in amusement.
I liked it.. Didn't love it. But I think this series will fit nicely on the "Good chapter books for second graders" list I'm compiling at the library where I work.
The characters are rather fun to watch (though fairly selfish). The plot is cute—though a bit sparse—and the ending well done. It's not hugely funny, but a few parts had me smiling in amusement.
I liked it.. Didn't love it. But I think this series will fit nicely on the "Good chapter books for second graders" list I'm compiling at the library where I work.
January 24, 2020
Hysterical! My daughter and I laughed till we cried. Ivy and Bean try to think good thoughts and be pure of heart so that animals will follow them all around; similar to Snow White. When that doesn't work they decide to just be bad, really really bad, then reform and the animals will love them for such drastic improvements. Love this series. Great books for young readers or to share with your children or students.
November 26, 2013
This book could spark a discussion on what it means to be bad...or be bullied...or it could just be enjoyed as a fun little romp. There is plenty of room for interpretation, but it will be up to the adult to begin that discussion and fully engage the child.
Bonus points for Ivy's assessment of Snow White being stupid because everyone knows you don't accept gifts from strangers (and the conclusion that Snow White's helpful bird friends simply pitied the dumb broad). :)
Bonus points for Ivy's assessment of Snow White being stupid because everyone knows you don't accept gifts from strangers (and the conclusion that Snow White's helpful bird friends simply pitied the dumb broad). :)
March 20, 2017
Beginning chapter book for girls. Ivy and Bean are two seven year old girls who often get into trouble. I liked it better then then Judy Moody series. Bean is always getting into trouble and can be a little sassy but I am sure elementary age readers will enjoy her humor. As an adult I prefer the Clementine series the best but all three of these series( Judy Moody, Clementine and Ivy and Bean) are good beginning chapter books.
March 30, 2023
My second grader and I are reading this series together. This book was okay, but we liked some of the other stories better. In this one, Ivy and Bean are trying to be extra good so that innocent animals will be attracted to them and follow them around. But of course things veer off course and the girls end up trying to be bad so that being good is a bigger deal. It's pretty funny. If your kid likes this series then they'll like this book too.
February 3, 2009
I really can't say enough about these books. Ivy and Bean are just so much fun together as characters, and that's really a testament to not only Barrows' writing but Sophie Blackall's fantastic illustrations. Book 5 is, much like the first four, mostly devoid of plot, but it doesn't matter because the girls are so funny, lovable and real.
June 6, 2013
this book is a great book. ivy and bean think that everyone thinks they could be more perfect if they were nice. they try all these different thing to show there not bad there jest regular girl and there suger is to be a little bad.
after all that drama they decide there bound to be bad to have a little suger
after all that drama they decide there bound to be bad to have a little suger
March 19, 2016
Oh, Ivy, you are so weird. After hearing about how St. Francis (who is never named) would get animals to come to him, Ivy decides that she wants birds to land on her head & wolves to follow her around. The way to do it? Be pure & good of heart. But, man, that is difficult. Maybe she can get Bean to be bad & then reform her?
July 2, 2010
My 2nd-3rd grade girls will love this series. Ivy and Bean are such likable characters. In this book, Ivy and Bean decide that after learning about St. Francis, that they will be so good and pure that animals will follow them around. Well, for these two being good is easier said then done.
August 17, 2010
Very funny story about the two friends trying to be bad so that they can then reform and will be so loving that birds will land on their shoulders and wolves will follow them around adoringly. The things that they do in their attempts at being naughty are hilarious.
January 18, 2011
This book is thhe best! Ivy herd of this thing when if you be good you will have animals follow you weird right so bean said she will be bad so Ivy could tell her to be good than she would. And you have to read the book to see if it is right
Currently reading
May 5, 2011i still read ivy and bean i mean it is awsome the way the made the first book ivy looks crazy with all that face paint on if thts was my mom and wanna my friens snoke in and my mom didnt know i would have been dead im just glade thier friends.
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