TL;DR: Ivy + Bean is the ultimate "unlikely friendship" series for the 6-to-10-year-old crowd. It’s funny, slightly rebellious, and captures the chaotic energy of elementary school independence without falling into the "brain rot" trap of mindless content. If your kid has finished Ramona Quimby and needs something with a bit more edge (but still age-appropriate), this is the gold standard.
Quick Links:
- The Books: Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows
- The Screen Version: Ivy + Bean (Netflix)
- Similar Vibes: Junie B. Jones or Clementine
- For the "Mischief" Fans: The Bad Guys
If you haven’t encountered this duo yet, think of Ivy + Bean as the "odd couple" of the cul-de-sac. Bean is loud, impulsive, and always looking for a way to avoid boredom (or her older sister, Nancy). Ivy is quiet, observant, and spends her time practicing to be a witch in her backyard.
On paper, they should hate each other. In the first book, they actually do. But they eventually bond over a shared goal: getting back at Bean’s bossy sister. What follows is a multi-book series (and a very decent Netflix adaptation) that explores the messy, creative, and often hilarious reality of childhood friendships.
Kids in the 1st through 4th grade range are currently obsessed with the idea of autonomy. This is the age where they start realizing they have a life outside of their parents' immediate shadow. They love Ivy + Bean because the girls are actually allowed to be kids. They make mistakes, they get into "trouble" (of the mild, backyard variety), and they solve their own problems.
In a world where so much media is either hyper-sanitized or leaning into weird Skibidi Toilet absurdity, Ivy + Bean feels grounded. It’s about the "magic" of a cardboard box, the drama of a lost tooth, and the absolute war that can erupt over a shared bedroom.
Let’s be real for a second. There is a specific subset of parents who hate these books. They’ll tell you that Bean is "disrespectful" or that the girls are "naughty."
If you are looking for characters who always say "please" and "thank you" and never roll their eyes at their siblings, Ivy + Bean is going to annoy you. But if you want your kids to read about characters who feel like actual human beings, this is it.
The "mischief" in these stories is almost always rooted in creativity and boredom, not malice. They aren't teaching kids to be "mid" or "Ohio" (to use the current slang for "weird/bad"); they’re teaching them how to navigate social friction. When Ivy and Bean get into a fight, they have to figure out how to fix it. That’s a much better lesson than a story where everyone is perfect from page one.
Ask our chatbot about how to handle "attitude" inspired by book characters
If your kid is already a fan, or if you’re looking to build a "Digital Wellness" playlist that doesn't involve mindless scrolling on the YouTube app, here are the best ways to engage with this world.
Netflix actually did a great job here. They released three movies/specials that stay remarkably true to the books. The casting is spot-on, and the production value doesn't feel like "cheap kids' TV." It’s a great "Friday Night Movie" choice for the 7-year-old set.
- Screenwise Tip: Use this as a reward for finishing the first three books. It’s a classic move that actually works to encourage reading.
There are 12 books in total. They are "early chapter books," meaning the font is big, there are illustrations on almost every page, and the vocabulary is challenging but accessible.
- Why it works: It builds "reading stamina." Once a kid gets hooked on a series, they stop fighting you about the 20-minute reading timer.
If your kid finishes Ivy + Bean and wants more, Clementine is the logical next step. She’s another "high-energy" girl who is often misunderstood by the adults around her. It’s funny, heartfelt, and deals with things like ADHD and sibling rivalry in a very subtle way.
For kids who like the "mischief" side of Ivy + Bean, The Bad Guys is a huge hit. It plays with the idea of "villains" trying to be "good," and it’s told in a graphic novel hybrid style that is addictive for reluctant readers.
Target Age: 6 to 10 (Grades 1-4)
- Reading Level: Most 2nd graders can read these independently. 1st graders might need some help, but they make excellent read-alouds.
- Content Concerns: Very low. There’s some mild "potty humor" (which, let’s face it, is the currency of 2nd grade) and some sibling bickering. No violence, no heavy "teen" themes, and no consumerist pressure.
- Community Data: In the Screenwise community, we see a massive spike in Ivy + Bean interest right around the middle of 2nd grade. It’s often the "bridge" book that takes kids from picture books to "real" novels.
Check out our guide on the best first chapter books for 2nd graders
One of the best things about Ivy + Bean is that it opens the door to conversations about personality types.
You can ask your kid: "Are you more of an Ivy or more of a Bean?"
- Beans are the kids who act first and think later.
- Ivys are the kids who live in their heads and might seem "weird" to others but have a rich internal world.
This is a great way to talk about how different people contribute different things to a friendship. Bean brings the energy; Ivy brings the ideas. Neither is "better," but they need each other to actually get anything done.
Navigating the "Older Sibling" Dynamic
The character of Nancy (Bean’s older sister) is a trope every younger sibling will recognize. She’s bossy, she thinks she’s "mature," and she’s the primary antagonist. If you have siblings at home, Ivy + Bean provides a safe space to laugh at the absurdity of sibling fights without it feeling like a lecture from you.
If you’re watching the Netflix show together, try these prompts:
- "Do you think Bean was being fair to Ivy there, or was she just being bossy?"
- "What would you do if you had a secret hideout like Ivy’s?"
- "Why do you think Nancy is so mean to them? Is she mean, or is she just annoyed?"
These are low-stakes questions that help develop media literacy and emotional intelligence without making the "screen time" feel like a classroom assignment.
Ivy + Bean is a "Yes" for intentional parents. It’s high-quality storytelling that respects a child’s intelligence and sense of humor. It doesn't rely on the "fast-paced, high-dopamine" editing styles found on the Roblox game platform or TikTok. It’s slow, character-driven, and celebrates the kind of "boredom" that leads to real-world play.
If you’re looking to pivot away from "brain rot" and toward something with substance, this series is a perfect entry point.
- Check the library: Most school libraries have the full set of Ivy + Bean.
- Screening: Watch the first Ivy + Bean (Netflix) movie this weekend to see if the humor lands with your kid.
- Survey your habits: If you want to see how your kid's media consumption stacks up against other families in your school district, take the Screenwise survey.