Ivy and Bean
Bean is skeptical of the "nice" Ivy, but the two girls eventually team up to cast a spell on Bean's older sister. It’s a refreshing look at a friendship built on mutual suspicion.
Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows is estimated to take about 72.5 minutes to read aloud (7,828 words, about 5 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 6-8.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 72.5 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 7,828Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 5Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 6-8Our editorial fit
Our review
This is a story about two girls who are neither sweet nor tidy. Their friendship doesn't start with instant liking, which feels much more authentic than many other books for this age.
It serves well as a first real chapter book. The plot follows their mischief as they navigate neighborhood dynamics and sisterhood.
Before you buy it
At 7,828 words, this is a significant step up from Mercy Watson. It features long sections without illustrations and shows Bean being quite a tormentor to her older sister.
Themes
- friendship
- sisters
- neighbourhood
- mischief
- witches
Books like Ivy and Bean
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Busabout 61 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Dory Fantasmagoryabout 67.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
The Princess in Blackabout 20 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Owl Diaries: Eva's Treetop Festivalabout 24.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Miss Daisy Is Crazy!about 59.5 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Ivy and Bean aloud?
About 72.5 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 7,828. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Ivy and Bean actually for?
Ages 6-8 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 5 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Ivy and Bean survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Will my child memorise Ivy and Bean?
It can. It scores 4 out of 5 with us for holding up to repeat reading, and children tend to learn by heart the books they ask for most, even without a strong refrain.
Can a beginning reader read Ivy and Bean on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 5 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
Is Ivy and Bean part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the Ivy and Bean series. It stands on its own, so you can start here without reading the others in order, then move to the rest if it lands.
What themes does Ivy and Bean cover?
We tag it with friendship, sisters, neighbourhood, mischief and witches. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
