Ivy and Bean

Bean is a free-spirited 7-year-old who thinks she doesn't need another friend, even if it is the girl from across the street. Ivy is secretly practicing to be a witch and has no interest in being friends with Bean either. That all changes one day when Bean tries to play a trick on her older sister Nancy and ends up leaning on Ivy for help when it becomes necessary for her to escape. Ivy joins in the plan to trick Nancy, and the two become fast friends. Barrows' text is fun and easily accessible for children making the transition to chapter books. Black-and-white illustrations by Sophie Blackall help steer young readers, too. This is the first book in a proposed series, and is recommended for early readers interested in stories about friendship and adventure.