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Ivy & Bean #7
What's the Big Idea?
A Netflix Original Film Series
A New York Times Bestselling Series
Over 8 Million Copies Sold
The 8th book in the New York Times bestselling Ivy & Bean series is now available in paperback! 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-one serving size. Don’t ask why. But 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 nose around the neighborhood. Wow—it’s interesting what comes out when snoops start digging. It’s even more interesting when the neighbors read about it in the newspaper.
A New York Times Bestselling Series
Over 8 Million Copies Sold
The 8th book in the New York Times bestselling Ivy & Bean series is now available in paperback! 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-one serving size. Don’t ask why. But 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 nose around the neighborhood. Wow—it’s interesting what comes out when snoops start digging. It’s even more interesting when the neighbors read about it in the newspaper.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
328 people are currently reading
1118 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 139 reviews
January 12, 2014
Second-graders Ivy and Bean have to do a project on global warming for the Science Fair. All the other kids have cool ideas, and they can't think of anything.
I really liked the other kids' approaches. The bossy girl with the large number of younger siblings is going to make them hold their breath for fifteen minutes a day. (Less carbon dioxide, right?) The nerdy guy has made a battery out of a lime and proposes to run clean cars on lime-power. The violent kid is going to contruct a killer robot that will squish anyone it catches littering. He hasn't actually built the robot yet, but he has a poster warning people what will happen. The dorky kid is going to vacuum up the Earth's excess heat and then dump it in space. He's brought his mom's vacuum cleaner along to demonstrate.
What are Ivy and Bean going to come up with in the face of all this brilliance? They've already had to scrap a few plans that didn't quite work out. Launching ice-cubes from their trampoline failed to produce a measurable cooling effect in controlled studies. They had an imaginative idea which involved tying their hands together to show other species that humans are really weak, not strong. But all that happened was that two of the class bullies kidnapped them for a sadistic game.
On the day of the fair, the parents are wandering around among the exhibits. ("So that's where my vacuum cleaner went," sighs one tired mom). Ivy and Bean tell them they need to come outside to see their thing. The parents grudgingly follow them into the neighboring field, complaining and looking at their watches. It's getting dark. Ivy and Bean have laid out towels on the grass. They tell all the parents to lie down and rest for a little bit.
The parents have no idea what's going on, but do as they're told. It's actually rather pleasant to take a short break after a busy day. A couple of them fall asleep and begin to snore quietly. Ivy and Bean give them ten minutes, then politely wake up the ones who are napping.
"Did you enjoy lying out here in this pretty field?" they ask the assembled parents. It turns out that most of them did rather like it. "You see!" say the two friends triumphantly. "You like nature more than you think. So take good care of it. Do something about global warming!"
The parents look at each other uncertainly. It's a bit odd being given lessons in morality by seven-year-olds, but they sort of have to admit the kids are right. Ivy's dad gives her a hug and says it was terrific. Awwww!
In the appendix, the author carefully explains what was wrong with all the other ideas. She doesn't quite mention the Second Law of Thermodynamics, but almost.
Nice work, Anne Barrows!
I really liked the other kids' approaches. The bossy girl with the large number of younger siblings is going to make them hold their breath for fifteen minutes a day. (Less carbon dioxide, right?) The nerdy guy has made a battery out of a lime and proposes to run clean cars on lime-power. The violent kid is going to contruct a killer robot that will squish anyone it catches littering. He hasn't actually built the robot yet, but he has a poster warning people what will happen. The dorky kid is going to vacuum up the Earth's excess heat and then dump it in space. He's brought his mom's vacuum cleaner along to demonstrate.
What are Ivy and Bean going to come up with in the face of all this brilliance? They've already had to scrap a few plans that didn't quite work out. Launching ice-cubes from their trampoline failed to produce a measurable cooling effect in controlled studies. They had an imaginative idea which involved tying their hands together to show other species that humans are really weak, not strong. But all that happened was that two of the class bullies kidnapped them for a sadistic game.
On the day of the fair, the parents are wandering around among the exhibits. ("So that's where my vacuum cleaner went," sighs one tired mom). Ivy and Bean tell them they need to come outside to see their thing. The parents grudgingly follow them into the neighboring field, complaining and looking at their watches. It's getting dark. Ivy and Bean have laid out towels on the grass. They tell all the parents to lie down and rest for a little bit.
The parents have no idea what's going on, but do as they're told. It's actually rather pleasant to take a short break after a busy day. A couple of them fall asleep and begin to snore quietly. Ivy and Bean give them ten minutes, then politely wake up the ones who are napping.
"Did you enjoy lying out here in this pretty field?" they ask the assembled parents. It turns out that most of them did rather like it. "You see!" say the two friends triumphantly. "You like nature more than you think. So take good care of it. Do something about global warming!"
The parents look at each other uncertainly. It's a bit odd being given lessons in morality by seven-year-olds, but they sort of have to admit the kids are right. Ivy's dad gives her a hug and says it was terrific. Awwww!
In the appendix, the author carefully explains what was wrong with all the other ideas. She doesn't quite mention the Second Law of Thermodynamics, but almost.
Nice work, Anne Barrows!
April 29, 2015
At first I was worried that this was going to be a message book, but it turned out to be a lot of fun.
Ivy and Bean are best friends. No one predicted this, since they are so different. Bean is small, dark, outspoken - a nature-lover and a practical joker. Ivy wears dresses and reads books. She has great ideas and knows big words.
The books opening chapter is amazing. It starts out with Bean getting kicked out of the house for "stapling things that weren't supposed to be stapled." Outside, Bean digs for buried treasure. Then she sees an ant. She follows it, hangs around the colony, and has some philosophical (for a 7-year-old) thoughts about ants. I loved this chapter, it was funny but also thought-provoking.
Then we're plunged right into school. The kids are told that some "fifth-grade scientists" are going to come and lecture them about global warming. I don't know what kind of effect they were going for, but this completely bums the kids out. They are depressed and anxious because they think the Earth is dying and that they are responsible.
After a few days, the teacher notices this. She is a bit upset that the kids now say that they "hate science." But she's glad they are caring people, and says that they are just the kind of young scientists who will "solve" global warming. For the Science Fair, each child is to come up with an idea to combat global warming.
Ivy and Bean brainstorm and come up with the idea to throw ice cubes up in the air to cool the Earth. They do this on a trampoline, scattering ice cubes all over the yard. They are crushed when Bean's older sister, Nancy, tells them that they are being ridiculous. They retaliate by throwing ice cubes at her and yelling, "Hailstorm!"
The most hilarious part of the book, the part that made me laugh out loud, was when Ivy and Bean decide to be helpless. They have Ivy's mom tie their hands together (as if they're each in handcuffs) so that they can't hurt animals or the Earth. They believe that animals will realize this and take over Earth, or something. So they are wandering around with their hands bound. Then they sit around waiting for the animal uprising, which they believe to be imminent. I can't describe to you how funny this is. Anyway, while they are sitting there, waiting for the animals to notice that they're helpless, Katy (the annoying next door neighbor) comes over. She takes them prisoner and marches them off to be tortured! Of course they can't get out of their bonds and are trapped playing "Bad Orphanage" with Katy and the other neighborhood kids! So funny.
The rest of the book is about Ivy & Bean and the rest of the class coming up with ways to defeat global warming and presenting their projects at the fair. Barrows makes the ideas a good mixture of funny and actually workable. I won't spoil anything, but Ivy and Bean come up with a great idea that's very touching (but not too sappy).
Points to Barrows for dealing with this over-played, over-hyped topic that is ripe for a sapfest by making it funny. This book is a tiny, tiny bit preachy - but's it's barely noticeable, especially when Bean is in full-hellion mode. The girls are so full of energy and strange ideas that the book ends up being funny and flows nicely despite it's "heavy" PSA type subject matter.
Ivy and Bean are best friends. No one predicted this, since they are so different. Bean is small, dark, outspoken - a nature-lover and a practical joker. Ivy wears dresses and reads books. She has great ideas and knows big words.
The books opening chapter is amazing. It starts out with Bean getting kicked out of the house for "stapling things that weren't supposed to be stapled." Outside, Bean digs for buried treasure. Then she sees an ant. She follows it, hangs around the colony, and has some philosophical (for a 7-year-old) thoughts about ants. I loved this chapter, it was funny but also thought-provoking.
Then we're plunged right into school. The kids are told that some "fifth-grade scientists" are going to come and lecture them about global warming. I don't know what kind of effect they were going for, but this completely bums the kids out. They are depressed and anxious because they think the Earth is dying and that they are responsible.
After a few days, the teacher notices this. She is a bit upset that the kids now say that they "hate science." But she's glad they are caring people, and says that they are just the kind of young scientists who will "solve" global warming. For the Science Fair, each child is to come up with an idea to combat global warming.
Ivy and Bean brainstorm and come up with the idea to throw ice cubes up in the air to cool the Earth. They do this on a trampoline, scattering ice cubes all over the yard. They are crushed when Bean's older sister, Nancy, tells them that they are being ridiculous. They retaliate by throwing ice cubes at her and yelling, "Hailstorm!"
The most hilarious part of the book, the part that made me laugh out loud, was when Ivy and Bean decide to be helpless. They have Ivy's mom tie their hands together (as if they're each in handcuffs) so that they can't hurt animals or the Earth. They believe that animals will realize this and take over Earth, or something. So they are wandering around with their hands bound. Then they sit around waiting for the animal uprising, which they believe to be imminent. I can't describe to you how funny this is. Anyway, while they are sitting there, waiting for the animals to notice that they're helpless, Katy (the annoying next door neighbor) comes over. She takes them prisoner and marches them off to be tortured! Of course they can't get out of their bonds and are trapped playing "Bad Orphanage" with Katy and the other neighborhood kids! So funny.
The rest of the book is about Ivy & Bean and the rest of the class coming up with ways to defeat global warming and presenting their projects at the fair. Barrows makes the ideas a good mixture of funny and actually workable. I won't spoil anything, but Ivy and Bean come up with a great idea that's very touching (but not too sappy).
Points to Barrows for dealing with this over-played, over-hyped topic that is ripe for a sapfest by making it funny. This book is a tiny, tiny bit preachy - but's it's barely noticeable, especially when Bean is in full-hellion mode. The girls are so full of energy and strange ideas that the book ends up being funny and flows nicely despite it's "heavy" PSA type subject matter.
December 20, 2019
This is the first Ivy and Bean I have read. I found Bean, Ivy and the other kids to be charmingly realistic children and I really enjoyed the humor and the hope the author gives to this very serious subject as well as the factual information conveyed to the young audience these books are intended to reach.
Popsugar Challenge 2019: A "cli-fi" (climate fiction) book
Popsugar Challenge 2019: A "cli-fi" (climate fiction) book
March 12, 2015
I read this aloud to my daughter and she already started and finished another Ivy and Bean book on her own. I share her enthusiasm. Ivy and Bean are distinct, interesting characters, and Annie Barrows wrote the story in a low-key, intelligent manner that I'm hard pressed to describe but found surprisingly - not mature - but cool and respectful.
Ivy and Bean and their classmates create projects about global warming. With their often limited knowledge and misconceptions, it's interesting and sometimes funny how real children interpret complex issues like global warming. It really comes out when they suggest solutions like Ivy and Bean do, such as throwing ice cubes in the air. Annie Barrows captures this very well, from the children's point of view, completely without condescension.
Then Ivy and Bean go on to better ideas and it never gets preachy. I hope other books in the series are this enjoyable.
Ivy and Bean and their classmates create projects about global warming. With their often limited knowledge and misconceptions, it's interesting and sometimes funny how real children interpret complex issues like global warming. It really comes out when they suggest solutions like Ivy and Bean do, such as throwing ice cubes in the air. Annie Barrows captures this very well, from the children's point of view, completely without condescension.
Then Ivy and Bean go on to better ideas and it never gets preachy. I hope other books in the series are this enjoyable.
April 28, 2021
Ivy and Bean are just 2 regular girls in the 2nd grade. Bean is pretty curious and thinks a lot about how the world works. She and her classmates are supposed to come up with ideas to fight global warming for the school’s Science Fair. She and Ivy team up and come up with a few ideas, try them out but realize those things won’t work. Then they hit on a really good idea, which is nothing like what you might expect, but really is probably the most important thing that had to happen in order to stop global warming.
This is a charming book with lovely and sometimes quirky illustrations. I found myself grinning quite often.
This is a charming book with lovely and sometimes quirky illustrations. I found myself grinning quite often.
April 22, 2025
I'm not sure why I like these enough to keep reading, when I actually don't like so much about them. I don't like Nancy, or all the destructiveness, and unkindness.... I guess I respect them for being both sweet and spicy?
I guess because sometimes they're really really good. I think the science fair project that these two second graders come up with is an absolutely fabulous idea. And I am charmed by the reasoning that got them to that point, about how grown-ups like to be in charge, don't like surprises... etc....
Highly recommended.
(But read it yourself first because that Katy is scary wacko and you might want to skip that chapter.)
And no, you don't have to read it just for Earth Day but that would be a good time to.
And no, you don't have to teach it as part of the STEM curriculum, but that would work.
And no, you don't have to read any of the other books in the series... this stands alone just fine.
Btw, it's a good idea to turn off lights when not in use, but that's such a tiny fix don't laud yourself if you do. Also adjust your furnace/AC when you're not home; that's a much bigger fix.
And ant walkers are female, not 'he.'
Otherwise the science here is pretty good, given that much of it is in the afterward and it's aimed at second-graders.
I guess because sometimes they're really really good. I think the science fair project that these two second graders come up with is an absolutely fabulous idea. And I am charmed by the reasoning that got them to that point, about how grown-ups like to be in charge, don't like surprises... etc....
Highly recommended.
(But read it yourself first because that Katy is scary wacko and you might want to skip that chapter.)
And no, you don't have to read it just for Earth Day but that would be a good time to.
And no, you don't have to teach it as part of the STEM curriculum, but that would work.
And no, you don't have to read any of the other books in the series... this stands alone just fine.
Btw, it's a good idea to turn off lights when not in use, but that's such a tiny fix don't laud yourself if you do. Also adjust your furnace/AC when you're not home; that's a much bigger fix.
And ant walkers are female, not 'he.'
Otherwise the science here is pretty good, given that much of it is in the afterward and it's aimed at second-graders.
February 26, 2013
In my opinion, this book is one of the better ones, more in the league of Book 3 ("Break the Fossil Record") and Book 9 ("Make the Rules"), the other books in the series that I consider 3 1/2 stars.
I really like Ms. Aruba-Tate. She's such a great teacher. I loved the way she put words to the way the class was feeling (on page 33): "I'm hearing that you are very worried about global warming. I'm feeling sorry that you're worried, but I'm also feeling glad that you care so much about the earth."
The entire school is having a science fair, and everyone in Ms. Aruba-Tate's class needs to come up with an idea on how to solve the global warming problem. Ivy and Bean's classmates came up with some pretty amusing ideas, and I have to say, Ivy and Bean's final idea was creative while also making a good point.
I like that this book shows the girls engaged in science, and it also introduces an important real-life issue. At one point, Ivy mentions "Lisa Something", and once again, I wondered why the actual historical figure (in this case, Lise Meitner, a woman who helped discover nuclear fission) wasn't mentioned by name. (Book 5 - "Bound to be Bad" - neglects to mention St. Francis of Assisi by name.) As it turned out, though, Lise Meitner was identified in the book's appendix, in which the author further discussed global warming. I thought the Q & A format of the appendix was effective, and that the book was enhanced by the additional information provided.
In this book, I was pleased to see Bean entertain herself using only her natural curiosity for life science. She diligently observes some ants, and she even conducts something of an experiment. (At first, I thought her experiment was a little bit cruel, especially considering the way she seemed to admire the ants, but towards the end of the book, she showed that she understood the outcome of her experiment. On page 95, Bean knows, in regards to ants, "They looked so sure of themselves, but...if she dripped water on them, they'd go nuts.")
On page 96, Ivy and Bean even articulate a pretty valid lesson for adults that I can appreciate: "What really freaks grown-ups out is not being in charge... Grown-ups and ants are a lot alike. If they relaxed a little, they'd have a better time."
As usual, though, the book falls short of a higher rating from me because of its inclusion of mean-spiritedness and disregard for safety. Ivy and Bean's neighbor Katy plays a game called Bad Orphanage, which seemed to have no redeeming value at all. At least games of "cops and robbers" have nominal "bad guys", but Katy was just bullying poor, helpless orphans! And at another point in the story, Ivy and Bean wildly wield hammers unsupervised.
I really like Ms. Aruba-Tate. She's such a great teacher. I loved the way she put words to the way the class was feeling (on page 33): "I'm hearing that you are very worried about global warming. I'm feeling sorry that you're worried, but I'm also feeling glad that you care so much about the earth."
The entire school is having a science fair, and everyone in Ms. Aruba-Tate's class needs to come up with an idea on how to solve the global warming problem. Ivy and Bean's classmates came up with some pretty amusing ideas, and I have to say, Ivy and Bean's final idea was creative while also making a good point.
I like that this book shows the girls engaged in science, and it also introduces an important real-life issue. At one point, Ivy mentions "Lisa Something", and once again, I wondered why the actual historical figure (in this case, Lise Meitner, a woman who helped discover nuclear fission) wasn't mentioned by name. (Book 5 - "Bound to be Bad" - neglects to mention St. Francis of Assisi by name.) As it turned out, though, Lise Meitner was identified in the book's appendix, in which the author further discussed global warming. I thought the Q & A format of the appendix was effective, and that the book was enhanced by the additional information provided.
In this book, I was pleased to see Bean entertain herself using only her natural curiosity for life science. She diligently observes some ants, and she even conducts something of an experiment. (At first, I thought her experiment was a little bit cruel, especially considering the way she seemed to admire the ants, but towards the end of the book, she showed that she understood the outcome of her experiment. On page 95, Bean knows, in regards to ants, "They looked so sure of themselves, but...if she dripped water on them, they'd go nuts.")
On page 96, Ivy and Bean even articulate a pretty valid lesson for adults that I can appreciate: "What really freaks grown-ups out is not being in charge... Grown-ups and ants are a lot alike. If they relaxed a little, they'd have a better time."
As usual, though, the book falls short of a higher rating from me because of its inclusion of mean-spiritedness and disregard for safety. Ivy and Bean's neighbor Katy plays a game called Bad Orphanage, which seemed to have no redeeming value at all. At least games of "cops and robbers" have nominal "bad guys", but Katy was just bullying poor, helpless orphans! And at another point in the story, Ivy and Bean wildly wield hammers unsupervised.
March 4, 2019
A group of fifth-graders present a talk on global warming to the students in Ms. Aruba-Tate's second-grade class in this seventh installment of author Annie Barrows and illustrator Sophie Blackall's series of beginning chapter-books devoted to the (mis)adventures of best friends Ivy and Bean, and the entire group is thrown into despair. What will the animals of the world - especially the polar bears - do, as their habitats shrink? And how can it be that it is humans who are responsible for such destruction? Their teacher, learning of these feelings, suggests that they each devote their Science Fair project to a possible solution to the problem. And so Ivy and Bean, after a number of false starts involving pounding rice, tossing ice cubes, and tying themselves up, hit upon an idea that might just be the beginning of a solution...
As with the other installments in this ongoing primary school saga, I found the story of Ivy + Bean: What's the Big Idea entertaining, and the artwork charming. Barrows does a good job presenting the basic idea of global warming, without getting into too many specifics, and offers a sensitive portrayal of how young children might react to that idea. Although I understand why one fellow reviewer found this title a little less than informative, on the topic - I don't think there ever is a very clear explanation of global warming, or its causes, in the story itself - I think this rather misses the point. Young children often hear stories - through their peers, at school, overheard on the news - that they don't fully understand, but whose import they fully grasp. A child doesn't need to understand all the complexities of global warming, to know that it is a serious problem, or to feel afraid - and it is this, I think, that Barrows is addressing with her story. For those who want more details, there is an informative non-fiction afterword that provides them.
In sum: a satisfactory addition to the series. Not my personal favorite, of the lot, but it will still have appeal for young readers who are fans of Ivy and Bean, as well as for those looking for children's stories that address the theme of global warming.
As with the other installments in this ongoing primary school saga, I found the story of Ivy + Bean: What's the Big Idea entertaining, and the artwork charming. Barrows does a good job presenting the basic idea of global warming, without getting into too many specifics, and offers a sensitive portrayal of how young children might react to that idea. Although I understand why one fellow reviewer found this title a little less than informative, on the topic - I don't think there ever is a very clear explanation of global warming, or its causes, in the story itself - I think this rather misses the point. Young children often hear stories - through their peers, at school, overheard on the news - that they don't fully understand, but whose import they fully grasp. A child doesn't need to understand all the complexities of global warming, to know that it is a serious problem, or to feel afraid - and it is this, I think, that Barrows is addressing with her story. For those who want more details, there is an informative non-fiction afterword that provides them.
In sum: a satisfactory addition to the series. Not my personal favorite, of the lot, but it will still have appeal for young readers who are fans of Ivy and Bean, as well as for those looking for children's stories that address the theme of global warming.
February 13, 2013
If you like the Ivy & Bean series, you will enjoy this one as well. This was 2011 Eleanor Cameron Award (Golden Duck for middle grades) finalist.
Ivy and Bean work together to come up with an idea for their school science fair. The theme for their second grade classroom is global warming. The book takes us through some of their ideas that don't work, and leads us to the fair where we finally learn what their project is and whether or not it is successful. What I like about this book is that it approaches a very sophisticated scientific idea from the perspective of a second grader. Some of their ideas seem very silly, but they make sense when you understand what they were thinking that led them to their ideas. Their final project is wonderful and makes you think very carefully about whether or not it would work in real life.
This is definitely a book to read with 2nd-5th graders. It may be a little simplistic for upper elementary grades, but I think it would be a nice introduction to global warming. It could also be used as a way for older kids to explain why Ivy and Bean's initial ideas, as well as some of their friends' ideas, will not work. For example, one of the students in their class has her brothers and sisters hold their breath for a total of 15 mintues a day in order to exhale less carbon dioxide. In order for a student to explain why this isn't such a good solution for global warming, he/she would need to have a firm grasp of global warming and be able to articulate his/her thoughts.
I read one review that felt this was very unsophisticated introduction to global warming for children. I think you need to consider who the audience is. If it's too difficult, the students will not be able to understand such a complicated topic. I think it's perfect for the audience.
Ivy and Bean work together to come up with an idea for their school science fair. The theme for their second grade classroom is global warming. The book takes us through some of their ideas that don't work, and leads us to the fair where we finally learn what their project is and whether or not it is successful. What I like about this book is that it approaches a very sophisticated scientific idea from the perspective of a second grader. Some of their ideas seem very silly, but they make sense when you understand what they were thinking that led them to their ideas. Their final project is wonderful and makes you think very carefully about whether or not it would work in real life.
This is definitely a book to read with 2nd-5th graders. It may be a little simplistic for upper elementary grades, but I think it would be a nice introduction to global warming. It could also be used as a way for older kids to explain why Ivy and Bean's initial ideas, as well as some of their friends' ideas, will not work. For example, one of the students in their class has her brothers and sisters hold their breath for a total of 15 mintues a day in order to exhale less carbon dioxide. In order for a student to explain why this isn't such a good solution for global warming, he/she would need to have a firm grasp of global warming and be able to articulate his/her thoughts.
I read one review that felt this was very unsophisticated introduction to global warming for children. I think you need to consider who the audience is. If it's too difficult, the students will not be able to understand such a complicated topic. I think it's perfect for the audience.
December 9, 2010
Ivy and Bean are friends even though they are opposite in many ways. Bean is loud and rambunctious and full of crazy ideas. Ivy is quiet and thoughtful and often willing to help Bean try out some of her wild plans.
When they come together to work on a science project in Ivy + Bean: What’s the Big Idea, they are determined to find a solution for global warming.
I loved how the two girls started coming up with ideas for how they could help global warming without asking adults first whether their solution was really workable or not. The things they and their classmates dreamed up seemed exactly like what second-graders would come up with. The kids in Ivy and Bean's class had family members holding their breath to cut down on carbon dioxide, built robots that attacked litterbugs, and threw ice cubes in the air to cool down the atmosphere.
And as a parent veteran of quite a few science projects myself, I was interested to see that the projects were all child-conceived and child-driven. From my experience, that’s rarely the case in school science fairs. The drawings illustrate the action beautifully, and show some of Bean’s whimsical imaginings too. This is the seventh book in the popular Ivy + Bean series, which is written by Annie Barrows and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. It’s sure to please young readers just as much as the previous titles.
When they come together to work on a science project in Ivy + Bean: What’s the Big Idea, they are determined to find a solution for global warming.
I loved how the two girls started coming up with ideas for how they could help global warming without asking adults first whether their solution was really workable or not. The things they and their classmates dreamed up seemed exactly like what second-graders would come up with. The kids in Ivy and Bean's class had family members holding their breath to cut down on carbon dioxide, built robots that attacked litterbugs, and threw ice cubes in the air to cool down the atmosphere.
And as a parent veteran of quite a few science projects myself, I was interested to see that the projects were all child-conceived and child-driven. From my experience, that’s rarely the case in school science fairs. The drawings illustrate the action beautifully, and show some of Bean’s whimsical imaginings too. This is the seventh book in the popular Ivy + Bean series, which is written by Annie Barrows and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. It’s sure to please young readers just as much as the previous titles.
July 7, 2011
I can see why so many children and educators love Ivy and Bean! They are generally nice kids with a spirit of adventure. Barrows writes in a way that children will find authentic and realistic. Bean's older sister is mean in a way that is natural, annoying, and appropriate.
In What's the Big Idea, Ivy and Bean learn about global warming at school. The class decides that they want to fight global warming and presents a variety of ideas at the science fair. Most of their ideas are unrealistic or impossible, but Barrows presents the children as being creative and open-minded, not foolish or silly. My only real complaint with the book is the use of the term global warming rather than climate change. And that's something I can easily get over for a book that is charming, funny in just the right ways, and supportive of children as creative people.
Recommended for students, especially girls, in grades 1 - 3 (depending on reading ability, of course).
Added: This is the first I&B book I've read and I thought it stood perfectly well on its own.
In What's the Big Idea, Ivy and Bean learn about global warming at school. The class decides that they want to fight global warming and presents a variety of ideas at the science fair. Most of their ideas are unrealistic or impossible, but Barrows presents the children as being creative and open-minded, not foolish or silly. My only real complaint with the book is the use of the term global warming rather than climate change. And that's something I can easily get over for a book that is charming, funny in just the right ways, and supportive of children as creative people.
Recommended for students, especially girls, in grades 1 - 3 (depending on reading ability, of course).
Added: This is the first I&B book I've read and I thought it stood perfectly well on its own.
October 14, 2017
This was a fun read that tackles the question of what a little kid can do about a big problem like Global Warming in a really honest way. The Q&A section about Global Warming at the end was a super addition to this latest installment in a delightful series.
July 11, 2022
Review to come
March 22, 2011
In the latest installment of this first-rate series, Ivy & Bean are learning about being "green". My favorite part of this series is the way the girls view how the adults see the world around them. The girls are always wondering: why can't the adults have any fun? Why do they like everything to be quiet? Why are they so tired all the time? There is a hilarious interchange between the girls and Ivy's mother, when the girls ask her to tie their hands together. She does so without blinking an eye or missing a keyboard strike on her computer.
Actually, the whole premise of this book is based on their view of what matters to adults. In school, the girls are given an assignment to do a project that furthers the cause of conservation and helps stop global warming. After a few failed but amusing attempts, the girls realize their project can be quite simple. If they can reconnect adults to nature, they will be more apt to care about it. The girls believe because adults have to worry about everything, they are forgetting how enjoyable a connection to the trees, grass and beauty around them can be. So the night of the science fair, the girls don't have a traditional project set up on one of the tables in the cafeteria. Instead, when the adults are done looking at all the other projects, the girls take all the adults outside and ask them to lay down on the grass and to "let go". The girls ask the adults to let them watch over them, so the adults are free to relax. It's a success as the adults get the "message" and three of them even fall asleep. There is an especially helpful appendix about why it's important to worry about global warming that I believe will help children better understand the whole idea. For them, it really breaks up the whole subject into easily digestible chunks.
Actually, the whole premise of this book is based on their view of what matters to adults. In school, the girls are given an assignment to do a project that furthers the cause of conservation and helps stop global warming. After a few failed but amusing attempts, the girls realize their project can be quite simple. If they can reconnect adults to nature, they will be more apt to care about it. The girls believe because adults have to worry about everything, they are forgetting how enjoyable a connection to the trees, grass and beauty around them can be. So the night of the science fair, the girls don't have a traditional project set up on one of the tables in the cafeteria. Instead, when the adults are done looking at all the other projects, the girls take all the adults outside and ask them to lay down on the grass and to "let go". The girls ask the adults to let them watch over them, so the adults are free to relax. It's a success as the adults get the "message" and three of them even fall asleep. There is an especially helpful appendix about why it's important to worry about global warming that I believe will help children better understand the whole idea. For them, it really breaks up the whole subject into easily digestible chunks.
September 6, 2019
Ivy and Bean's class is worried. A fifth-grade presentation on global warming has all the kids concerned about the future of the earth. So with the science fair coming, they decide to each create projects proposing solutions to help the earth. But Ivy and Bean are in a quandary. What can they possibly do as kids to fix such a big problem? When idea after idea tanks, the pair begins to think they'll never have an answer... or even a project. But nothing can keep the irrepressible duo down for long, and they will come through with their own special take on this supersize issue.
Written perhaps as much for parents as for children, this installment in the series is something of an outlier. Much softer than most of the other books to date, What's the Big Idea nevertheless is still full of wacky humor and the girls' indomitable spirits. The solution they arrive at will cause Mom and Dad to rethink things just a little perhaps, and should give kids a smile or two as well. Handling a topic of controversy without being preachy or feeling like indoctrination, Barrows has done a particularly nice job on this volume.
Written perhaps as much for parents as for children, this installment in the series is something of an outlier. Much softer than most of the other books to date, What's the Big Idea nevertheless is still full of wacky humor and the girls' indomitable spirits. The solution they arrive at will cause Mom and Dad to rethink things just a little perhaps, and should give kids a smile or two as well. Handling a topic of controversy without being preachy or feeling like indoctrination, Barrows has done a particularly nice job on this volume.
September 20, 2011
Book 7 begins thusly: illustration of Bean standing, stapler in hand, before a large window. She peers upward, pleased by the crumpled mass of drapes hanging above her. "What are those little black lines all over the fabric?" you may wonder, as I did. The first paragraph succinctly answers that question: "There had been a problem in Bean's house. The problem was staples."
Ha.
Annie Barrows has yet to write an Ivy + Bean book that doesn't make me laugh on PAGE ONE. What's the Big Idea has all of the second grader rambunctiousness and humor you've come to expect from the series, but it also expresses a lovelier, quieter (who knew Ivy and Bean could be quiet?) sentiment than the others. In their scientific mission to come up with a quick solution to the global warming crisis for an upcoming school fair, the girls land on an idea that is both sweet and thought provoking: if grown ups enjoyed nature more wouldn't they care about it more? And wouldn't that make them work harder to save the planet? Not a bad hypothesis.
Ha.
Annie Barrows has yet to write an Ivy + Bean book that doesn't make me laugh on PAGE ONE. What's the Big Idea has all of the second grader rambunctiousness and humor you've come to expect from the series, but it also expresses a lovelier, quieter (who knew Ivy and Bean could be quiet?) sentiment than the others. In their scientific mission to come up with a quick solution to the global warming crisis for an upcoming school fair, the girls land on an idea that is both sweet and thought provoking: if grown ups enjoyed nature more wouldn't they care about it more? And wouldn't that make them work harder to save the planet? Not a bad hypothesis.
December 26, 2014
3.5 Stars
I really like Ivy and Bean. What I like about them is creativity and problem solving (whether it is silly or not they are using their heads)
I am all for coming up with ways to stop polluting our planet like recycle, clean vehicle and factories etc, but I am not sold that "Global Warming" is a man made thing--I mean Cows need to poop and we aren't creating all the methane gas. My theory (though not important) is that the Earth Goes through changes, currently it is in a warmer phase...should we take care of the Polar Bears? ABSOLUTELY! but mass hysteria and Global Warming Propaganda...not sold at all. But this book makes kids aware of and thinking and be conscientious about our environment! Ivy and Bean are a great early Chapter Book ! It is geared towards girls but boys will find it fun too!!
I really like Ivy and Bean. What I like about them is creativity and problem solving (whether it is silly or not they are using their heads)
I am all for coming up with ways to stop polluting our planet like recycle, clean vehicle and factories etc, but I am not sold that "Global Warming" is a man made thing--I mean Cows need to poop and we aren't creating all the methane gas. My theory (though not important) is that the Earth Goes through changes, currently it is in a warmer phase...should we take care of the Polar Bears? ABSOLUTELY! but mass hysteria and Global Warming Propaganda...not sold at all. But this book makes kids aware of and thinking and be conscientious about our environment! Ivy and Bean are a great early Chapter Book ! It is geared towards girls but boys will find it fun too!!
October 7, 2011
My daughter and I love this series (she’s 8). They are so cute, well written, and practical. The characters represent normal children in a normal school setting. Sometimes they misbehave and sometimes they do amazing things; but they always accurately demonstrate emotions and fears about their lives that my daughter can relate to (a far cry from how Disney interprets childhood with a song and dance routine). I am impressed by how insightful the author is. I also love how she occasionally uses challenging words and addresses real-life issues in a kid-friendly way.
August 10, 2014
It's hard to find an interesting book on this reading level, which is why Annie Barrows is so much to be congratulated on this series. In this one, the two friends are desperately trying to figure out what to do for the science fair, which is about combating global warming. And lots of information does get imparted but not, amazingly, in a boring way at all! I especially love Bean.
December 21, 2018
Just when I think these books are going to taper off, there’s this one. It is a masterpiece. Everyone should read every single one of these books out loud to their kids or have their middle-grade children read them. This is hand’s down the absolute best of them. Perfect storytelling and a poignant moral, I admit proudly that I cried at the end. Read Ivy and Bean. They’re amazing.
June 16, 2019
Agenda
“Global warming” has been debunked. The ice caps are shifting, not disappearing. The ocean temperature has warmed in some area, but actually cooled in others. I like the idea of the kids working to solve a problem. Just not the most appropriate to try to solve. When reading it to my daughter I rephrased to say “bad weather.” Sorry, Annie.
“Global warming” has been debunked. The ice caps are shifting, not disappearing. The ocean temperature has warmed in some area, but actually cooled in others. I like the idea of the kids working to solve a problem. Just not the most appropriate to try to solve. When reading it to my daughter I rephrased to say “bad weather.” Sorry, Annie.
April 21, 2021
The seventh book in the popular Ivy + Bean series, What's the Big Idea? finds the mischievous but likable girls preparing for the second grade Science Fair. The theme of the fair is global warming, and the two girls have a difficult time coming up with an idea for their project. After several humorous failed attempts to bring their imaginative ideas to life, they land on a simple but effective idea that I found to be moving. As with the other Ivy + Bean books, What's the Big Idea? celebrates friendship, independent play, and creative problem-solving. This early chapter book is ideal for children ages 6 through 10.
Check this book out from the Villa Park Public Library!
Check this book out from the Villa Park Public Library!
August 29, 2022
This was another fun addition to the series! Clever ways to combat global warming. Although that whole discussion was a bit outdated from what I understand it to be now.
Love Ivy and Bean and their fun misadventures together! We love this series!
Love Ivy and Bean and their fun misadventures together! We love this series!
June 2, 2020
4.5 stars!
October 30, 2019
Imogen: Bean, like, she staples stuff she’s not supposed to because she loves staples so much. Like, she staples curtains. And also, I like how she digs looking for treasure. She doesn’t find treasure. She looks at ants a lot and thinks if she was an ant. And also, I like how people are crowded into the state Colorado (on the rug.) and I like how ivy tries something super hard, and she gets it. And someone else in the class doesn’t listen to the teacher at all. The old kids that look like Nancy talked about global warming. And ivy and bean were super worried about the animals because they’re supposed to be. If they weren’t worried I would be super mad and feel like I had to do something. I like that Nancy is like ‘You don’t have to worry about it.’ But bean wanted to do something about it. And you get to see Ms. Aruba-Tate. I like that everyone in the class doesn’t like science, but then, they’re like, I like science. I like that everyone is worried about global warming. I like when bean has a brilliant idea. Then there’s a science fair, they start to get a little scared about it. Their idea that wouldn’t work was to throw ice cubes in the air. Nancy came with her friend and they threw ice cubes at them and it was fun to watch them run in the story. In the end, there is the question, and it tells you why ice cubes don’t work for global warming. It tells in the back about global warming. It’s a super fun book. And I think you would like it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2019
Its science fair time for second grade, and Ivy and Bean are trying desperately to find the best idea for their project. The theme is global warming. What can a second grader do to combat global warming? At first it seems like the answer might be not a lot. But together, Ivy and Bean are determined to come up with the solution, one that might work better than their first idea: launching ice cubes into the air from a trampoline.
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
October 30, 2011
Barrows, Annie & Sophie Blackall. Ivy & Bean, What’s the Big Idea. Scholastic. 2010. 128 pp. ISBN: 0811866920. Genre: Fiction, Series
Rating: 4.13 Stars. Ivy & Bean are best friends (and neighbors) and in the 2nd grade, and are trying to come up with a science fair project.
Summary: Ivy & Bean always seem to have fun and creative ways to try and solve situations they get themselves into. So why should their science fair project be any differen?
Main Characters: Ivy – Bean’s best friend, neighbor, 2nd grade
Bean – Ivy’s best friend, neighbor, tends to be the loud more energetic one
Ms. Aruba-Tate – Bean & Ivy’s teacher
Nancy - Bean’s sister
Key Issues: global warming, friendship, science, girls as the main characters
Other interesting information: Nice little question/answer section in the back. Semi-high interest low level
Rating: 4.13 Stars. Ivy & Bean are best friends (and neighbors) and in the 2nd grade, and are trying to come up with a science fair project.
Summary: Ivy & Bean always seem to have fun and creative ways to try and solve situations they get themselves into. So why should their science fair project be any differen?
Main Characters: Ivy – Bean’s best friend, neighbor, 2nd grade
Bean – Ivy’s best friend, neighbor, tends to be the loud more energetic one
Ms. Aruba-Tate – Bean & Ivy’s teacher
Nancy - Bean’s sister
Key Issues: global warming, friendship, science, girls as the main characters
Other interesting information: Nice little question/answer section in the back. Semi-high interest low level
February 20, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It is very relatable for children grades second and third. This story has two young girls in science class trying to figure out how to win their science fair. their science fair is based off how to solve global warming. This book is really cute because it shows all of the creative ways they try to solve global. I really enjoyed the ways that were used to portray just how creative a second graders imagination is. The main characters end up winning the science fair with their cleaver way of getting adults more aware of global warming. This book is just one of a many booked series. I feel that this series is great for younger children it is very relatable and helps them learn how to hand different typical situations.
June 8, 2016
Its science fair time for second grade, and Ivy and Bean are trying desperately to find the best idea for their project. The theme is global warming. What can a second grader do to combat global warming? At first it seems like the answer might be not a lot. But together, Ivy and Bean are determined to come up with the solution, one that might work better than their first idea: launching ice cubes into the air from a trampoline.
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.**
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December 21, 2016Awards: none
Appropriate Grade Level: Grade 1 to Grade 3
Summary: In What's the Big Idea?, Ivy and Bean team up once again to look for a solution to global warming. They investigate everything from throwing ice cubes in the air to cultivating rice energy before they consider a different type of solution: getting grown-ups to appreciate nature!
Review: Annie Barrows funny and heartwarming tale about inspiring others to appreciate the gift of nature is creative and engaging! This book will inspire young readers to discover their own solutions to scientific problems such as global warming.
Classroom Uses: This book is an excellent resource for teaching about what scientists do, and for educating children about the problem of global warming!
Appropriate Grade Level: Grade 1 to Grade 3
Summary: In What's the Big Idea?, Ivy and Bean team up once again to look for a solution to global warming. They investigate everything from throwing ice cubes in the air to cultivating rice energy before they consider a different type of solution: getting grown-ups to appreciate nature!
Review: Annie Barrows funny and heartwarming tale about inspiring others to appreciate the gift of nature is creative and engaging! This book will inspire young readers to discover their own solutions to scientific problems such as global warming.
Classroom Uses: This book is an excellent resource for teaching about what scientists do, and for educating children about the problem of global warming!
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