Today, I am participating in a blog tour for the children's book Ivy and Bean: What's The Big Idea? by Annie Barrow. This is the seventh book in the Ivy and Bean series, and the first one that I have read with my girls, who are 6 1/2.
Ivy and Bean are best friends, and in the second grade. For a science fair assignment, they have to come up with an idea that can help stop global warming. They think of a few ideas that don't really pan out (throwing ice cubes at the sky to cool things down; making humans weaker so that the beleaguered animals become stronger) before they come up with an idea that wins over their teacher and their parents.
Ivy and Bean are likable characters – they are smart and curious, and they mostly talk like second graders and my kids could relate to them. There are a few words and concepts in the book that are a bit advanced for six year-olds, but my kids enjoyed the book a lot and laughed out loud many times. Ivy and Bean: What's The Big Idea? is also a great way to kick off a conversation about global warming and changes that we can all make to help curb its effects. The kids in the book are creative and unfettered in their thinking, which spurred my daughters to think that way too.
There are a few instances where other kids are mean to Ivy and Bean, and there is some physical activity that is a bit violent. I'd recommend this book for ages 7 and up for that reason. But we are all glad that we read it, and would like to explore some of the other books in the Ivy and Bean series.
Thank you to Chronicle Books for sending me a copy of Ivy and Bean: What's the Big Idea? to review for the blog tour. I also have a copy to give away to an EDIWTB reader. If you'd like to win a copy of Ivy and Bean: What's the Big Idea?, leave me a comment here.
Check out Chapter 1 of Ivy and Bean: What's the Big Idea?, as well as an Activity Guide for the book.