Ivy and Bean are two adventurous young girls who are known for their mischievousness and curiosity. Throughout the Ivy and Bean book series, they often find themselves exploring various aspects of life, from imagination and friendship to education and even witchcraft. While witchcraft might seem like a controversial topic, especially for young readers, Ivy and Bean approach it in a lighthearted and fun manner, emphasizing the importance of creativity and imagination. Ivy is particularly fascinated by witchcraft and considers herself a witchcraft practitioner. She loves to read books about potions, spells, and magical creatures. Bean, on the other hand, is more skeptical and frequently questions Ivy's beliefs and practices.
Plot Summary: Bean would be describes as a tomboy; she wears dresses as seldom as possible, isn't afraid to get dirty, and loves to play pranks on her older sister, Nancy. Bean's mother tries to encourage her to be nicer to her sister and to play with the new neighbor, Ivy who Bean thinks is the polar opposite of herself (AKA boring). Until one day, while Bean was trying to pull a prank on Nancy, Ivy comes out of her house in a black robe with stars and moon shaped pieces of paper and a golden stick and Bean is intrigued and can't help but ask Ivy what she's up to. Ivy then explains how she's going to do magic when suddenly, Bean realizes her sister is stepping on the prank and Nancy is telling Bean to get out of the bushes. As Bean's plans fall to pieces and Nancy threatening to tell their mother, Bean runs away and asks Ivy to hide her and Iby complies. They start to talk and Ivy explains how she's practicing to become a witch and practice her spells. Ivy then shows Bean her room and Bean can't help but be interested in the separating lines in Ivy's room which divide different sections (dressing room, a doll area, and an art area). They talk more and plan to put a dancing spell on Nancy as revenge. Bean paints Ivy's face to make it more witch-like so her powers become stronger. For the dancing spell, they need words so they sneak past different backyards to get to Bean's backyard because it is full of worms. They collect more than 13 worms in a bucket and go and find Nancy. They find her in the dining room table talking about Bean negatively. Bean becomes so overwhelmed with anger that she screams through the window and Nancy tries to drag her in the house but Iby intervenes and when Nancy starts being mean to Ivy, Bean throws worms at Nancy and as they run away and hide from Nancy, Nancy slips in the mud and lands in a puddle with more worms. Bean gets in trouble (but not too much because Bean's mom laughed a little at the situation). Bean and Ivy decide they were going to see each other again the next day and the next day.
Plot Summary Bean would be describes as a tomboy; she wears dresses as seldom as possible, isn t afraid to get dirty, and loves to play pranks on her older sister, Nancy. My son who is between the girls has shown no interest to the books, but he did listen as his sister read it to me, usually while he did his piano practice.
Bean, on the other hand, is more skeptical and frequently questions Ivy's beliefs and practices. This contrast between the two characters adds depth to their friendship and allows for interesting and humorous interactions. The concept of witchcraft in the Ivy and Bean books is not portrayed as something sinister or dark.
Ivy and Bean witchcraft practitioner
Series: This is the first book in the Ivy and Bean series. This book explains the start of the friendship of two opposite girls living on the same street and just one of their adventures.
Plot Summary: Bean would be describes as a tomboy; she wears dresses as seldom as possible, isn't afraid to get dirty, and loves to play pranks on her older sister, Nancy. Bean's mother tries to encourage her to be nicer to her sister and to play with the new neighbor, Ivy who Bean thinks is the polar opposite of herself (AKA boring). Until one day, while Bean was trying to pull a prank on Nancy, Ivy comes out of her house in a black robe with stars and moon shaped pieces of paper and a golden stick and Bean is intrigued and can't help but ask Ivy what she's up to. Ivy then explains how she's going to do magic when suddenly, Bean realizes her sister is stepping on the prank and Nancy is telling Bean to get out of the bushes. As Bean's plans fall to pieces and Nancy threatening to tell their mother, Bean runs away and asks Ivy to hide her and Iby complies. They start to talk and Ivy explains how she's practicing to become a witch and practice her spells. Ivy then shows Bean her room and Bean can't help but be interested in the separating lines in Ivy's room which divide different sections (dressing room, a doll area, and an art area). They talk more and plan to put a dancing spell on Nancy as revenge. Bean paints Ivy's face to make it more witch-like so her powers become stronger. For the dancing spell, they need words so they sneak past different backyards to get to Bean's backyard because it is full of worms. They collect more than 13 worms in a bucket and go and find Nancy. They find her in the dining room table talking about Bean negatively. Bean becomes so overwhelmed with anger that she screams through the window and Nancy tries to drag her in the house but Iby intervenes and when Nancy starts being mean to Ivy, Bean throws worms at Nancy and as they run away and hide from Nancy, Nancy slips in the mud and lands in a puddle with more worms. Bean gets in trouble (but not too much because Bean's mom laughed a little at the situation). Bean and Ivy decide they were going to see each other again the next day and the next day.
Plot Structure: The books chapters are episodic. You need to read the whole book in order to actually understand the entire story. The book is targeted for children in grades 3-5 and according to the Dormouse, around ages 7-10, children are actively using fantasy in their play and you see that when the two girls believe that Ivy has magic powers and can actually cast spells.
Strong Vocabulary: The dialogue in the book is easy enough for children in stage 6 (evolving reader) to comprehend. The few pictures do offer some support and the child may have to use context clues to understand any complicated idea in the book.
- Bean: Rebellious, mischievous, and hates wearing dresses.
- Ivy: Opposite of Bean. Red long hair, loves to read, and a girly girl.
- Nancy: Bean's older sister who is the butt of all of Bean's pranks.
- Bean's Mother: Tells Bean to be nice to her sister and to befriend the Ivy.
- Mrs. Trantz: Next door neighbor with a nice, organized garden who doesn't like kids.
Relationship of Pictures to Words: The relationship is complementary because the few, black and white photos add little support to the story's plot. They do help the reader get a clear picture, though.
Themes/Central Concepts: Friendship, magic, sibling relationships, and getting into trouble.
One of the big problems of being a kid is that your parents often try to make you play with people you don’t really like. My parents were forever trying to get me to like the kids of their friends. These kids were often weird. I didn’t want to play with them. It was a problem.
Instead, it serves as a tool for Ivy and Bean to explore their creativity and unlock their imaginations. They often create imaginary scenarios where they pretend to cast spells, create potions, and embark on magical adventures. This allows them to escape the confines of their everyday lives and enter a world where anything is possible. Ivy and Bean's exploration of witchcraft also teaches important life lessons. They learn about responsibility when they accidentally turn Bean's sister into a rock and must find a way to reverse the spell. They learn about teamwork when they collaborate to create unique and mysterious potions. And ultimately, they learn about the power of imagination and the importance of embracing their individuality. The portrayal of Ivy as a witchcraft practitioner in the Ivy and Bean books serves as a reminder that children have boundless imaginations and should be encouraged to explore their creativity. It teaches young readers that it is okay to have interests and beliefs that may be different from others. Through Ivy and Bean's friendship, the books emphasize the importance of acceptance and understanding, as well as the joys of friendship and adventure. In conclusion, Ivy and Bean's exploration of witchcraft allows them to tap into their creativity and imagination. It serves as a lighthearted and fun element in the book series, showcasing the power of friendship, acceptance, and the importance of embracing one's individuality. The Ivy and Bean books remind young readers that it is okay to have interests that may be considered unconventional, and that there is magic to be found in every day..
Reviews for "Embracing the Magic: Ivy and Bean's Witchcraft Revolution"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Ivy and Bean Witchcraft Practitioner". I was excited to see how the two characters would explore the world of witchcraft, but instead it felt like a shallow attempt to simply cash in on the popularity of the topic. The plot was weak and predictable, and the character development was practically nonexistent. It didn't offer anything new or interesting to the genre, and it felt like a missed opportunity to create a compelling story.
- John - 1 star - "Ivy and Bean Witchcraft Practitioner" was a complete letdown. The idea of two young girls diving into the world of witchcraft sounded intriguing, but the execution was horribly disappointing. The writing was subpar, with awkward dialogue and a lack of descriptive details. The plot lacked depth and failed to engage me as a reader. Overall, it felt like a cheap attempt to ride the coattails of more successful books in the genre.
- Emma - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Ivy and Bean Witchcraft Practitioner", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to feel any real connection with them. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, with little time spent on building tension or suspense. It lacked the magic and charm that I was hoping for, and I found myself struggling to finish the book. Overall, it was a disappointing read that didn't live up to its potential.
- Michael - 1 star - "Ivy and Bean Witchcraft Practitioner" was a complete waste of time. The writing was lackluster and uninspiring, with flat and uninteresting characters. The plot felt forced and contrived, and the attempts at humor were more cringe-worthy than amusing. It's a shame because the premise had potential, but the execution was a major letdown. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging read.