TL;DR: Ivy + Bean is the ultimate "opposites attract" friendship story for the 6-to-9-year-old crowd. It’s funny, relatable, and occasionally a little "naughty" in that way that makes parents hover but makes kids feel seen. If your kid has finished the books, the Ivy + Bean Netflix movies are actually high-quality adaptations that don't feel like "brain rot."
Ask our chatbot for a reading list similar to Ivy + Bean
If you’ve spent any time in the early elementary school circuit lately, you’ve definitely seen the distinctive Sophie Blackall illustrations on the covers of the Ivy + Bean series. They are everywhere—tucked into backpacks, scattered across library tables, and now popping up on Netflix queues.
For the uninitiated, the series follows two second-graders who, on paper, should hate each other. Bean is the loud, impulsive, dirt-under-the-fingernails kid who wants to kick a ball and cause a scene. Ivy is the quiet, pale, "witch-in-training" who wears dresses and spends her time researching spells.
They are the classic "odd couple," and their adventures usually involve low-stakes neighborhood mischief, elaborate imaginative play, and the kind of logic only a seven-year-old can truly appreciate.
Kids are obsessed with this duo because Annie Barrows (the author) actually remembers what it's like to be seven. She doesn't write down to them.
At this age, kids are navigating a weird developmental bridge. They are starting to want independence, but they still need their parents for literally everything. They have big ideas but very little power. Ivy + Bean captures that specific frustration and turns it into comedy.
Whether they’re trying to find "dancing" worms or attempting to cast a spell to make Bean’s older sister, Nancy, stop being such a pain, the stakes feel massive to the characters even though they’re objectively hilarious to us. It’s the same reason kids love Junie B. Jones or The Bad Guys—it’s about characters who aren't "perfect" role models, but who are authentically, messily human (or animal).
I’ve had more than one parent ask me at a birthday party, "Is Ivy + Bean actually... okay? They seem kind of mean to the sister."
Here is the no-BS take: Yes, Ivy and Bean can be "naughty." They talk back. They call Bean’s sister "Nancy the Nuisance." They occasionally lie to get out of trouble, and their "spells" sometimes involve things that make a mess.
If you are looking for a series where the children are perfectly obedient and speak in polite Victorian prose, this is not it. But if you want a series that helps your kid process the reality of sibling rivalry and the temptation to break a rule just to see what happens, Ivy + Bean is a goldmine.
Community Data Insight: Our data shows that Ivy + Bean is most popular among 2nd and 3rd graders, with about 45% of Screenwise families reporting it as a "bridge" series that helped their child move from picture books to independent chapter book reading.
Usually, when a beloved book series gets the Netflix treatment, we prepare for the worst. We expect bright colors, loud noises, and a complete loss of the original soul.
Surprisingly, the Ivy + Bean movie and its sequels—The Ghost That Had to Go and Doomed to Dance—are actually great. They kept the aesthetic of the books, the pacing is relatively calm (none of that "Cocomelon" frantic editing), and the casting is spot on.
If your kid is asking for screen time, these movies are a "high-WISE score" choice. They encourage imaginative play rather than just passive consumption. Don't be surprised if, after watching Doomed to Dance, your kid suddenly wants to quit ballet or, conversely, start an elaborate backyard performance.
Ages 5-6 (The Read-Aloud Phase)
At this age, the humor might go over their heads a bit, but they’ll love the slapstick elements. It’s a great read-aloud series because the chapters are short and the cliffhangers are mild.
Ages 7-9 (The Sweet Spot)
This is the "prime" Ivy + Bean era. They can read it themselves, they understand the social dynamics of the classroom and neighborhood, and they find the "rebellion" against older siblings deeply satisfying.
Ages 10+ (The Transition)
By 4th or 5th grade, most kids have moved on to more complex middle-grade fiction like Percy Jackson or Wings of Fire. If they’re still clinging to Ivy + Bean, it might be a "comfort read," which is totally fine, but you might want to introduce something with a bit more meat.
Check out our guide on moving from chapter books to middle grade fiction
If you’re worried about the "attitude" in these books, don't ban them. Use them.
- The "Nancy" Factor: Bean is objectively annoying to her sister, Nancy. Nancy is objectively annoying to Bean. This is a great opening to talk about sibling dynamics. Ask your kid: "Do you think Bean was being fair there? How would you feel if I called you a nuisance?"
- Imaginative vs. Real: Ivy’s "magic" is clearly pretend, but she takes it very seriously. It’s a good time to talk about the line between "playing a game" and "believing something that isn't true," especially as they start seeing more AI-generated content online.
- The Value of Differences: Ivy and Bean are proof that you don't have to be exactly like someone to be their best friend. In a world of digital echo chambers, that’s a pretty solid lesson to learn at age seven.
If your kid has burned through all 12 books and the movies, here are the logical next steps:
- For more "mischief" with a female lead: Clementine by Sara Pennypacker. It’s a bit more "heartfelt" but just as funny.
- For the "witchy" vibes: Upside-Down Magic. It leans harder into the fantasy but keeps the school-age friendship core.
- For the "odd couple" friendship: Narwhal and Jelly (for younger readers) or Frog and Toad (the GOAT).
- For a similar TV vibe: Bluey. While the characters are younger, the focus on imaginative play and the "realness" of family life is very similar.
Ivy + Bean is not "brain rot." It’s a well-written, hilarious, and visually beautiful series that respects a child's intelligence. Yes, the characters are occasionally bratty, but so are real seven-year-olds.
If you can handle a little talk about "potions" made of old soup and some mild sibling bickering, this series is a fantastic addition to your digital and physical library.
Next Steps:
- Grab the first Ivy + Bean book from the library.
- Plan a Friday night movie marathon with the Netflix movies.
- Take the Screenwise Survey to see how your family's reading and viewing habits compare to your local community.