TL;DR: Ivy + Bean is the ultimate "opposites attract" friendship story for the 6-to-9-year-old crowd. It’s a rare gem that transitions beautifully from a chapter book series to a high-quality Netflix series. While Bean’s impulse control is... questionable, the series is a fantastic springboard for discussing social dynamics, creativity, and the difference between "fun mischief" and "being a jerk."
If you haven't been hit with the request for a "wand and a bucket of worms" yet, consider this your warning. Written by Annie Barrows and illustrated by Sophie Blackall, Ivy + Bean follows two second-graders who, on paper, should hate each other.
Bean is the loud, adventurous, slightly chaotic kid who thinks Ivy is "too nice" and "boring" because she wears dresses and sits quietly. Ivy is the quiet, imaginative kid who Bean eventually realizes isn't boring at all—she’s actually a "witch-in-training" with a backyard full of spells and secrets.
The series took off because it captures the specific, messy reality of being seven. It’s not sanitized like some older "moral of the story" books. It’s about the logic of childhood, which often involves trying to get out of a bath or digging a hole to the center of the earth. In 2022, Netflix released a series of Ivy + Bean movies that managed to keep the charm of the books without turning it into over-stimulated "brain rot."
Kids are currently living in a world of high-gloss YouTube influencers and hyper-competitive Roblox servers. Ivy + Bean offers something different: relatability.
- The "Anti-Perfect" Protagonist: Bean is often grumpy, impatient with her older sister Nancy, and prone to bad ideas. Kids find this incredibly cathartic. It’s the same reason Junie B. Jones was a hit for the previous generation.
- Creative Play: The "spells" Ivy creates and the elaborate backyard setups the duo builds are a huge draw. It validates the kind of imaginative play that often gets pushed aside for iPad time.
- The Power of Two: There’s a specific "us against the world" (or at least "us against the babysitter") energy that resonates with kids starting to navigate their first real independent friendships.
Usually, when a beloved book series gets the Netflix treatment, parents brace for impact. We expect loud music, fast cuts, and a complete loss of the original soul.
Surprisingly, the Ivy + Bean (Netflix) movies are actually... good. They are live-action, which helps ground the story in reality. The pacing is deliberate, and the aesthetic feels like a Sophie Blackall illustration come to life.
If your kid is struggling to move from picture books to chapter books, the show is a great "bridge." Use the "watch one, read one" rule. The visual context of the show can help struggling readers visualize the characters when they dive into the Ivy + Bean books.
According to Screenwise community data, about 42% of families with children in 1st through 3rd grade have interacted with this series in the last year.
- Age Peak: The "obsession" typically peaks in 2nd grade (age 7-8).
- Gender Dynamics: While marketed heavily toward girls, we see a surprising 15% uptake among boys who enjoy the "mischief" and "science/magic" elements.
- Sibling Effect: It’s a common "bridge" show for siblings who are 2-3 years apart, as the themes of annoying older sisters are universal.
The Books (Ages 6-9)
The reading level is perfect for "transitional readers." The sentences are short, the vocabulary is accessible but not "babyish," and there are illustrations on almost every page to keep them engaged.
The Show (Ages 5-10)
The Netflix movies are rated TV-G. There is no violence, no "adult" themes, and the "scary" parts (like a spooky neighbor) are very mild and usually resolved with humor.
Let’s talk about the "mischief" elephant in the room.
Some parents find Bean to be a "brat." She talks back to her parents, she’s occasionally mean to her sister Nancy (though Nancy is usually equally annoying), and she definitely breaks rules. If you are looking for Daniel Tiger levels of emotional regulation, you won't find it here.
However, Bean’s behavior is developmentally accurate. She isn't malicious; she’s impulsive. This provides a great "teaching moment" without you having to be the one lecturing. When Bean’s "great idea" inevitably blows up in her face, you can ask your kid, "Why do you think that didn't work out for her?"
Potential "Yellow Flags":
- Sibling Conflict: The bickering between Bean and Nancy is very real. If your household is already a war zone, this might give them new ideas for insults (like calling someone a "pancake head").
- The "Witchcraft" Element: Ivy is a "witch," but it’s purely imaginative—potions made of mud and leaves, "spells" to make people dance. It’s closer to Harry Potter than anything occult, but worth noting if your family is sensitive to that.
Learn more about navigating "rude" characters in kids' media
If your kid is deep in an Ivy + Bean binge, use these conversation starters to turn "screen time" into "connection time":
- On Friendship: "Ivy and Bean are so different. Why do you think they get along so well? Do you have friends who are the opposite of you?"
- On Problem Solving: "Bean usually tries to solve her problems with a 'secret plan.' What would have happened if she just asked for help instead?"
- On Imagination: "If you were going to make a 'spell' like Ivy, what would it do? What 'ingredients' from the backyard would we need?"
Ivy + Bean is a "Yes" for most families. It’s a refreshing break from the hyper-stimulating, toy-unboxing, "look at me" culture of modern digital media. It celebrates dirt, boredom, backyard adventures, and the kind of friendships that define childhood.
Is Bean a bit of a handful? Yes. But she’s a handful in the way real seven-year-olds are.
Next Steps:
- If they love the books, try the Ivy + Bean (Netflix) movies as a weekend treat.
- If they finish the series, look into Clementine by Sara Pennypacker or The Princess in Black.
- Encourage some "Ivy + Bean" style play by giving them a dedicated "potion-making" kit (basically a bucket, some water, and permission to get muddy).