For the child who longs for adventure or struggles with boredom, Ivy and Bean discover that even ordinary days can be full of hilarious, unexpected fun.
A parent might reach for this book when their child complains of boredom, obsesses over a must-have item, or feels overshadowed by an older sibling. Best friends Ivy and Bean are desperate to earn money for some very special cheese. Inspired by Bean's older sister, they decide to start their own neighborhood newspaper. The only problem? There is no news. Their solution to invent ghost stories and juicy gossip leads to hilarious chaos and a gentle lesson about truth and perspective. This funny, low-stakes story is perfect for newly independent readers who love seeing creative kids solve problems in their own unique way.
There are no significant sensitive topics. The core conflict revolves around the girls fibbing in their newspaper. This is handled with humor and resolved with natural, low-stakes consequences. The approach is secular and lighthearted, with a hopeful and funny resolution where the girls learn their lesson without heavy moralizing.
Ideal Reader
A 7- to 9-year-old who is a newly or recently independent reader. This book is perfect for a child who loves humorous friendship stories, has a big imagination, and perhaps experiences some friction with an older sibling. It resonates with kids who understand the feeling of being bored and wanting to create their own fun.
Parent Prep
No preparation is needed. This book can be read cold. The moral lessons about telling the truth are embedded in the humor and do not require parental pre-teaching or context. The characters' misbehavior is clearly presented as a comical mistake. A parent hears their child say, "I'm bored! There's nothing to do!" or sees them struggling to get along with a sibling. Another trigger is a child becoming fixated on earning money for a specific, seemingly silly item they desperately want.
Age Experience
A younger reader (age 7) will primarily enjoy the slapstick humor, the funny dialogue, and the core friendship dynamic. An older reader (age 8-9) will appreciate the subtle satire of neighborhood gossip and journalism. They will also have a more nuanced understanding of why the made-up stories upset the neighbors and the lesson about perspective and truth.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many series that focus on the antics of a single protagonist, the Ivy and Bean books are about the unique chemistry of a friendship. This installment stands out for its clever take on the "let's start a business" trope. It humorously explores concepts of truth, news, and perspective from a child's point of view, making it smarter and wittier than many of its peers.
Read plot summary
Second graders Ivy and Bean are determined to earn money to buy a special kind of cheese they love. Inspired by Bean's older, know-it-all sister Nancy, they decide to create a neighborhood newspaper called The Pancake Court Gazette. They quickly discover that real news is boring. To make their paper more interesting, they invent stories about their neighbors, including a tale about a ghost haunting the grumpy Mrs. Trantz. Their creative journalism is a financial success but leads to comical misunderstandings and a confrontation with their disgruntled subjects, forcing the girls to learn a gentle lesson about the truth.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
