I was a huge Ramona fan growing up. I was obsessed with Beverly Cleary and read ALL of her books cover to cover, over and over and over again. When I became obsessed with children’s books again as an adult they were some of the first books that I picked up to re-read. I still read my Ramona books and have often found myself wishing that they were still being written.

Imagine my delight when I picked up Ivy and Bean from my pile of books and was instantly transported back to my childhood. Ivy and Bean are as plucky and outspoken as Ramona and Nancy is just as bossy and big sisterish as Beezus. Charming and funny, retro yet modern these books are bound to captivate a whole new audience of girls just like the Ramona books did for my generation.

Unlike the Ramona books Ivy and Bean has two leading ladies so it’s double the fun, double the trouble and double the friendship. Who doesn’t love a story about BFFs? Here’s what Publishers Weekly said about the twosome recently:

In children’s books, as in life, the buddy system has a pretty good track record: most readers can name a favorite literary twosome, from Frog and Toad to Harry and Ron. The BFF factor is a big part of the appeal of the Ivy and Bean series by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall (Chronicle), about two effervescent second-graders who become unlikely pals.

Marci Johnson, children’s book buyer and children’s event coordinator for the six Copperfield’s Books stores in California, believes that Ivy and Bean tickle kids right in the funny bone. “The books really appeal to their sense of humor,” she noted. “The author says that she loosely bases the stories on things that she did as a child, or things that her own children do now, so she’s got a lot of funny material to work with."

Across the US these books have taken off winning all kinds of honours and praise. Here are just a few:

* ALA Notable Children’s Book 2007

* Booklist, Editor’s Choice, Best Books of 2006

* Kirkus Reviews, Best Early Chapter Books 2006

* “Just right for kids moving on from beginning readers.”—Publishers Weekly

* “Will make readers giggle.”—Booklist

Now Canadian booksellers are starting to read the Ivy and Bean books too and recommending them to teachers, librarians and kids across the country. Lucky for Canadians they don’t have to read the first book and wait ages until they are able to continue with the Ivy and Bean adventures because books 1-3 are already here with book 4 coming this spring!

Make sure you check out:

Book #1: Ivy and Bean

Book #2: Ivy and Bean and the Ghost That Had To Go

Book #3: Ivy and Bean Break The Fossil Record

In addition to these books being fun and great for reluctant readers there are also classroom study guides available for them and a really fun Ivy and Bean Website where you can play fun games, read excerpts from the books and hear the author read from the books!

I have some free copies of this book to give away so if you would like a copy for your classroom please email me at or leave a message in the comment section.

Happy Reading!