One Big Happy Family (Ivy + Bean #11) by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall, 120 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2018. $15.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL.
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Ivy hears someone in her class say that people with no siblings are ofttimes spoiled and this fuels a determination in her to prove that she is not spoiled. Ivy begins by trying to give away her clothing, but is blocked in this effort so she turns to trying to make her babydoll into a real life baby. This is less than successful and in their final attempt her and Bean try to turn into twins by standing right by each other at all times. When Ivy realizes her parents would miss her on the days she would be with Bean’s family she ends the attempt out of compassion for her parents. In so doing realizes that she really is not spoiled.
I usually like Ivy and Bean but I found this story forced and boring. I also found their attempts to turn the doll into baby a bit creepy and the chanting to bring a baby from heaven a little extreme. Of course, if kids are already reading Ivy and Bean, this is a good addition to the series to keep them reading.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
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