Annie Barrows

The adventures of Ivy and Bean continue in the latest installment from series creators Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall. In Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter, the two girls hatch a plan to prove that Bean's big sister is the world's worst babysitter. Of course plans go awry, but fun ensues

World record fever grips the second grade, and soon Ivy and Bean are trying to set their own record by becoming the youngest people to have ever discovered a dinosaur. But how hard is it to find one?

The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn't be friends. But when Bean plays a joke on her sister, Nancy, and has to hide--quick--Ivy comes to the rescue, proving that sometimes the best of friends are people never meant to like each other. Vibrant characters and lots of humor make this a charming--and addictive--introduction to Ivy and Bean.

WHEN THE TITLE OF THE BOOK IS SO INTRIGUING, YOU EXPECT A LOT FROM THE BOOK ITSELF. ONCE YOU GET OVER THE INTRIGUE FACTOR OF THE TITLE, YOU FIND THAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT A BOOK CLUB FORMED IN THE TOWN OF GUERNSEY WHICH IS THE ONLY BRITISH LAND OCCUPIED BY THE GERMANS DURING WORLD WAR 2. THE NAME OF THE BOOK CLUB IS 'THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY'. (MY FINGERS ACHE ) THERE IS AN INTERESTING STORY BEHIND WHY THE CLUB WAS NAMED THAT WAY AND I THINK YOU SHOULD READ THE BOOK FOR THAT. THE BOOK STARTS WITH JULIET ASHTON CELEBRATING THE SUCCESS OF HER LATEST BOOK AND SEARCHING FOR A TOPIC FOR HER NEXT BOOK. SHE GETS AN UNEXPECTED LETTER FROM DAWSEY ADAMS FROM GUERNSEY WHO HAS A COPY OF HER OLD AND ABANDONED BOOK "THE SELECTED ESSAYS OF ELIA" BY CHARLES LAMB. DAWSEY CONTACTS HER WISHING TO KNOW WHERE HE CAN FIND MORE BOOKS FROM THE SAME AUTHOR. DAWSEY HAPPENS TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOOK CLUB AND THUS STARTS JULIET'S INTERACTION WITH THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOOK CLUB. JULIET FINDS THE CLUB AND ITS SURVIVAL DURING THE OCCUPATION VERY ENGAGING AND DECIDES TO EXPLORE FURTHER IF IT CAN BE TURNED INTO A BOOK. WE SEE JULIET LANDING IN GUERNSEY AND MEETING OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND TO COLLECT THEIR VERSION OF THE OCCUPATION. THE ENTIRE BOOK IS WRITTEN IN THE FORM OF LETTERS. WE SEE LETTERS BEING EXCHANGED BETWEEN ALL THE CHARACTERS AND THIS GIVES A DIFFERENT STRUCTURE TO THE BOOK. THERE IS NO SINGLE OMNIPOTENT NARRATOR AND EACH CHARACTER TAKES TURN TO NARRATE THE STORY AND THOUGH THIS IS SOME FORM OF OMNIPOTENCE, IT INTRODUCES ITS OWN SET OF COMPLEXITIES. THERE ARE MANY PLACES WHERE A CHARACTER WOULD NOT INCLUDE CERTAIN THINGS IN THE LETTER, BUT SINCE THIS IS INTENDED FOR A READER, THE AUTHOR HAD TO INCLUDE IT. THERE IS A LETTER FROM JULIET TO SIDNEY ABOUT A GIFT THAT HE SENT. DEAR SIDNEY, WHAT AN INSPIRED PRESENT YOU SENT KIT - RED SATIN TAP SHOES COVERED WITH SEQUINS IT'S OBVIOUS THE AUTHOR INCLUDED THIS BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER WAY THE READER WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT GIFT SIDNEY SENT, BUT IF JULIET WAS ACTUALLY WRITING THIS LETTER, SHE WOULD NOT HAVE INCLUDED THIS DETAIL. SINCE THE MAIN ESSENCE OF THE BOOK IS THE IDEA OF LETTERS BEING SENT BY A GROUP OF PEOPLE IN AN UNKNOWN ISLAND TO A WRITER, I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THE AUTHOR CHOSE HER ENTIRE BOOK TO BE IN THE FORM OF LETTERS. BUT TACTLESS INCLUSION OF DETAILS LIKE ABOVE (THE AUTHOR COULD HAVE INCLUDED THE DETAIL IN A SMARTER WAY) MAKES YOU CLICK YOUR TONGUE AND DISTRACTS YOU FROM THE STORY. I PERSONALLY FOUND THE STRUCTURE UNAPPEALING. TO KEEP TRACK OF WHO SENT THE LETTER TO WHOM AND WHEN WAS A BIG PROBLEM FOR ME. I HAVE READ SIMILAR STRUCTURED BOOKS BEFORE (WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN), BUT THIS BOOK IS PARTICULARLY TAXING BECAUSE OF THE SHORT LETTERS AND TOO MANY CHARACTERS. AFTER A POINT OF TIME, I WANTED TO SCREAM 'FORGET THE LETTERS, JUST GET ON WITH THE STORY'. CHARACTERS - THERE IS NO DEARTH IN THIS BOOK. THERE ARE CHARACTERS IN ALL FORMS - GENDER, RACE, NATIONALITY, QUIRKS, NATURE, AGE. ONE CHARACTER THAT STOOD OUT FOR ME WAS ELIZABETH MCKENNA. THE IRONY IS SHE DOESN'T APPEAR IN THE BOOK BUT IS ONLY MENTIONED BY THE OTHER CHARACTERS AND THIS ADDS A BIT OF MYSTERY TO HER. ISOLA ALSO SPRINGS TO MY MIND AS AN INTERESTING CHARACTER. THE PROTAGONISTS THOUGH LEAVE A LOT TO BE DESIRED. MARY ANN SHAFFER STARTED WRITING THIS BOOK AND HAD TO ROPE IN HER NIECE ANNIE BARROWS TO COMPLETE IT BECAUSE MARY WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. SHE DIDN'T LIVE TO CELEBRATE THE SUCCESS OF HER BOOK. IT'S A CHARMING LITTLE BOOK, AS THE ENGLISH WOULD CALL IT, BUT I DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING EXTRAORDINARY IN IT. YES, THERE ARE SOME GOOD THINGS IN THE BOOK, BUT I DON'T THINK YOU WOULD MISS ANYTHING BY NOT READING IT. I WOULDN'T STOP SOMEONE FROM PICKING IT UP, BUT WHY WASTE TIME ON THIS WHEN YOU HAVE BETTER BOOKS TO READ, EH? PS: OSCAR WILDE APPEARS AS A CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK, BUT I CANNOT REVEAL MORE

A Netflix Original Film Series A New York Times Bestselling Series Over 8 Million Copies Sold New York Times best-selling series of books for children - Ivy + BeanIvy and Bean, two friends who never meant to like each other: This boxed set, Ivy and Bean Boxed Set 2 (Books 4-6) continues the story of these two spunky characters. It includes the second of three books in the Ivy and Bean series. Author Annie Barrows talks about her award-winning Ivy + Bean series: 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. Ivy and Bean are very different: Bean is loud and wild and goofy. She loves to be involved in games and poke her nose in other people's business. Ivy is quiet and full of ideas. She spends most of her time learning how to be a witch. Each girl thinks the other one is weird. Each girl thinks she could never be friends with the other. Especially because their parents keep nagging them about it. But sometimes opposites can become the best of friends because they're opposites. Ivy and Bean Boxed Set 2 (Books 4-6) includes: - Book 4: Ivy + Bean Take Care of the Babysitter : What's the worst babysitter you can imagine? Okay, now multiply by a million. Bean's just found out that Nancy is babysitting for the afternoon. After Ivy rescues her from prison, the two girls turn tragedy into opportunity. - Book 5: Ivy + Bean: Bound to Be Bad: Ivy has decided to become good. Extra-super-duperly good. Bean figures that's a big waste of time-until Ivy explains that if you're really good, animals and birds follow you around. Wow! Animals and birds! Bean's going to be good, too! They're going to be nice; they're going to be sweet; they're going to be kind and generous and-Wait a second! How did they end up muddy, wet, and in trouble? - Book 6: Ivy + Bean: Doomed to Dance: Ooops. Ivy and Bean have made a terrible mistake. They thought that ballet meant leaping, kicking, and cool costumes. Instead, it means they're going to have to be The Two Friendly Squids in a ballet the teacher made up. How embarrassing. As disaster looms, the girls come up with a great escape plan. It's an easy plan, a simple plan, a beautiful plan. It only involves a field trip, a couple of sharks, and some weird animals that glow in the dark. If you and your child liked Junie B. Jones, Magic Tree House books, and Princess in Black ; yo

A Netflix Original Film Series A New York Times Bestselling Series Over 8 Million Copies Sold It's the Science Fair, and the second grade is all over it! Some kids are making man-eating robots. Some kids are holding their breath for a very, very long time. Some kids are doing interesting things with vacuum cleaners. The theme, obviously, is global warming. But what should Ivy and Bean do? Something involving explosions? Or ropes? Somethingwith ice cubes? Or maybe . . . maybe something different .

A Netflix Original Film Series A New York Times Bestselling Series Over 8 Million Copies Sold Finally! After begging their parents for ballet lessons, Ivy and Bean finally get what they want . . . well, not exactly. Much to their surprise, it turns out ballet lessons do not include karate chops and roundhouse kicks to the villain's heart. The girls have no interest in learning how to dance gracefully, but they promised their parents they would finish the entire ballet course! When it comes time for Ivy and Bean to participate in the ocean-themed class recital, the girls must figureout a way to get out of it without breaking their promises.

A Netflix Original Film Series A New York Times Bestselling Series Over 8 Million Copies Sold Finally! After begging their parents for ballet lessons, Ivy and Bean finally get what they want… well, not exactly. Much to their surprise, it turns out ballet lessons do not include karate chops and roundhouse kicks to the villain's heart. The girls have no interest in learning how to dance gracefully, but they promised their parents they would finish the entire ballet course! When it comes time for Ivy and Bean to participate in the ocean-themed class recital, the girls must figureout a way to get out of it without breaking their promises.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - NOW A NETFLIX FILM - A remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German Occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name. "Treat yourself to this book, please--I can't recommend it highly enough."--Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love "I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers." January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb. . . . As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends--and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society--born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island--boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all. Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever. Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises and of finding connection in the most surprising ways. Praise for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society "A jewel . . . Poignant and keenly observed, Guernsey is a small masterpiece about love, war, and the immeasurable sustenance to be found in good books and good friends."--People "A book-lover's delight, an implicit and sometimes explicit paean to all things literary."--Chicago Sun-Times "A sparkling epistolary novel radiating wit, lightly worn erudition and written with great assurance and aplomb."--The Sunday Times (London) "Cooked perfectly point: subtle and elegant in flavour, yet emotionally satisfying to the finish."--The Times (London)

A Netflix Original Film Series A New York Times Bestselling Series Over 8 Million Copies Sold In Ivy and Bean Bound to Be Bad the two girls decide to be so good and kind and pure of thought that wild animals will befriend them. When this doesn't work, they decide that perhaps a little badness can be good.

A Netflix Original Film Series A New York Times Bestselling Series Over 8 Million Copies Sold The adventures of Ivy and Bean continue in the fourth installment from series creators Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall. In Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter, the two girls hatch a plan to prove that Bean's big sister is the world's worst babysitter. Of course plans go awry, but fun ensues!

"I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers." "January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb.... As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends--and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society--born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island--boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all. Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever. Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways. Review Quotes: "I can't remember the last time I discovered a novel as smart and delightful as this one, a world so vivid that I kept forgetting this was a work of fiction populated with characters so utterly wonderful that I kept forgetting they weren't my actual friends and neighbors. Treat yourself to this book please--I can't recommend it highly enough."--Elizabeth Gilbert, author of "Eat, Pray, Love" "Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows have written a wondrous, delightful, poignant book-- part Jane Austen, part history lesson. The letters in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society aren't addressed to you, but they are meant for you. It's a book everyone should read. An absolute treasure."--Sarah Addison Allen, author of Garden Spells "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a sweet, sentimental paean to books and those who love them.... It affirms the power of books to nourish people enduring hard times."--"The Washington Post Book World" " ""Here's who will love this book: anyone who nods in profound agreement with the statement, "Reading keeps you from going gaga." The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a delight. Tart, insightful and fun."--Mary Doria Russell, author of "The Sparrow, A Thread of Grace and Dreamers of the Day" "[A] marvelous debut.... Reminiscent of Helene Hanff's" 84 Charing Cross Road," this is a warm, funny, tender, and thoroughly entertaining celebration of the power of the written word."--"Library Journal " "Charming.... [Heroine] Juliet finds in the letters not just inspiration for her next work, but also for her life--as readers will."--"Publishers Weekly " "I've never wanted to join a [book] club asdesperately as I did while reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.... [The novel] is a labor of love, and it shows on almost every page."-Yvonne Zipp, "Christian Science Monitor " "A sure winner.... Elizabeth and Juliet are appealingly reminiscent of game but gutsy '40s movie heroines."--"Kirkus Reviews" "A book-lover's delight, an implicit and sometimes explicit paean to all things literary."--"Chicago Sun-Times" "Warm, life-affirming prose ... an ideal choice for book groups, and also for individual readers."--"St. Petersburg Times ""Delightful ... One of those joyful books that celebrates how reading brings people together."--"New Orleans Times-Picayune"

A Netflix Original Film Series A New York Times Bestselling Series Over 8 Million Copies Sold Books 1-3 from The New York Times bestselling Ivy & Bean series "Introduce independent readers to the award-winning Ivy & Bean series with this boxed set containing the first three books about two spunky second graders." — Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor Meet Ivy and Bean, two friends who never meant to like each other: Ivy and Bean are very different. Bean is loud and wild and goofy. She loves to be involved in games and poke her nose in other people's business. Ivy is quiet and full of ideas. She spends most of her time learning how to be a witch. Each girl thinks the other one is weird. Each girl thinks she could never be friends with the other. But sometimes opposites can become the best of friends because they're opposites! Ivy & Bean's Secret Treasure Box—which includes the first three books in the series—is a delightful introduction to these spunky characters and includes a secret treasure-hiding box with a cool surprise inside! • Book 1: Ivy & Bean: Both girls were sure they would never like each other, but when Bean finds herself in a pickle, Ivy helps out with a magical spell. • Book 2: Ivy & Bean and the Ghost that Had to Go: When Ivy discovers a ghost in the girls bathroom at school, she needs Bean's help to get rid of it as quickly as possible. • Book 3: Ivy & Bean Break the Fossil Record: The girls set out to prove that they broke a record and are in fact the youngest paleontologists in the world. • Annie Barrows is the bestselling author of books for both children and adults including the Ivy & Bean series which has more than 5 million copies in print. Fans of the Junie B. Jones, Magic Tree House, and Princess in Black series will love the hilarious adventures of best friends Ivy and Bean. A classroom favorite, Ivy and Bean have been keeping kids laughing — and reading — for more than a decade. • Funny, relatable characters and storyline • Books for independent readers ages 6-9 • Elementary school chapter books • Books for grades 1-4

A Netflix Original Film Series A New York Times Bestselling Series Over 8 Million Copies Sold The adventures of Ivy and Bean continue in the latest installment from series creators Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall. In Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter , the two girls hatch a plan to prove that Bean's big sister is the world's worst babysitter. Of course plans go awry, but fun ensues!

Second graders Ivy and Bean set out to expel the ghost who is living in the girls' bathroom at their school.

A Netflix Original Film Series A New York Times Bestselling Series Over 8 Million Copies Sold World-record fever grips the second grade, and soon Ivy and Bean are trying to set their own record by becoming the youngest people to have ever discovered a dinosaur. But how hard is it to find one?

When they discover a ghost in the school bathroom, best friends Ivy and Bean, mustering up all of their courage, concoct a clever scheme to make the surly specter go away.

A Netflix Original Film Series A New York Times Bestselling Series Over 8 Million Copies Sold World record fever grips the second grade, and soon Ivy and Bean are trying to set their own record by becoming the youngest people to have ever discovered a dinosaur. But how hard is it to find one?

A Netflix Original Film Series A New York Times Bestselling Series Over 8 Million Copies Sold The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn't be friends. But when Bean plays a joke on her sister, Nancy, and has to quickly hide and Ivy comes to the rescue, proving that sometimes the best of friends are people never meant to like each other. Vibrant characters and lots of humor make this a charming and addictive introduction to the Ivy and Bean Book Series. From beloved children's book author Annie Barrows, The Ivy & Bean collection has been delighting preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and kids of all ages for nearly two decades. Centered upon messages promoting friendship, empathy, and understanding, each book follows Ivy and Bean on their various adventures through adolescent life.