Bella wants to write poems.
Bean wants to go for a walk.
Bella wants to write poems.
Bean wants Bella to look at her cute toes.
Cou... read full description
reviews
Feb 06, 2009
Amanda
rated it: 
I read this book to my girls last night. All three of us took great delight in the illustrations -- the color scheme is quite beautiful and soothing. As I was reading, I thought the concept of the story (Bella likes to write poems alone, and Bean wants to PLAY, PLAY, PLAY together) would be lost on my girls. But the illustrations held their attention, and when the book was over, I saw two very big smiles erupt across their faces. As I tucked them in, they each whispered in my ear, "I have a
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Jan 13, 2009
Kathi
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Bella is a poet who needs time for thinking and writing. Bean, her best friend, wants Bella to come out and play. Can't Bella write poems and plant snowbushes at the same time? Can't Bean give Bella some space?
In this book about creativity and friendship, Rebecca Kai Dotlich gives us two friends who manage to remain friends despite their differences.
Dotlich, a poet for sure, sprinkles the text with Bella's poems, and as Bean so aptly points out: some rhyme and some More...
In this book about creativity and friendship, Rebecca Kai Dotlich gives us two friends who manage to remain friends despite their differences.
Dotlich, a poet for sure, sprinkles the text with Bella's poems, and as Bean so aptly points out: some rhyme and some More...
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Apr 15, 2010
Kathryn
rated it: 
I quite enjoyed this story. It's cozy and cute--the tale of two mice, one loves quiet time and poetry and introspection, the other delights in fashion and socializing and fun. But, of course, each enriches the life of the other and, though inevitable squabbles ensue when two such different personalities meet, their friendship is strengthened by the fact that each admire the other's talents. Most of the time, I thought the illustrations were adorable (as on the cover) but a few times the mices
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Mar 09, 2011
Sarah-Greenbeanteenqueen
rated it: 
picked this book up because one of the character's was named Bean, and as a Bean, I had to read it. I wasn't really a huge fan. The story just felt like it never really flowed that well.
This is a book about friendship and a book about poetry, but I wonder what age group will really get all the poetry writing. It's a picture book for older readers and would work as a great introduction to poetry for older picture book readers. The artwork is whimsical and the mice are cute, I just w More...
This is a book about friendship and a book about poetry, but I wonder what age group will really get all the poetry writing. It's a picture book for older readers and would work as a great introduction to poetry for older picture book readers. The artwork is whimsical and the mice are cute, I just w More...
May 11, 2011
Abigail
rated it: 
Bella and Bean were something of an odd couple: one content to sit quietly writing poetry all day, the other eager to be out and about, experiencing the joy of life, and the wonder of the wide world. Hoping to convince Bella to lay down her pen, and share the day with her, the irrepressible Bean adopts successively more outrageous strategies, from wiggling her toes in her friend's face, to lugging a massive snow bush around. Her seeming lack of success is rather disheartening, until the friends'
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Aug 09, 2010
Dolly
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I really enjoyed this story! It's a tale of poetry and friendship, being in the present and being creative and focused. The poems in the tale are beautiful and are woven nicely throughout. And the yin and yang of Bella and Bean are delightful and create an enchanting story. I really liked the poem at the end:
One blanket
holds two friends
calm and cozy
at the edge of a pond.
The moon looks like
a clock in the sky
with the big hand on
Forever.
One blanket
holds two friends
calm and cozy
at the edge of a pond.
The moon looks like
a clock in the sky
with the big hand on
Forever.
Feb 15, 2009
Molly
rated it:
This picture book was a cute sweet story. It will be a good suggestion for someone who is looking for a longer picture book for a bed time read. Two friends who want to do different things and one of them really wants to write poetry in peace. Since I love friendships where you are very different from your friends I think this is a great book. Ages 4+
Sep 07, 2010
Peggy
rated it:
Bella and Bean are opposites. Bella is a poet. Bean is adventurous. This story about two mice who have opposite personalities, told in simple prose combined with beautiful poems, shows that sometimes bringing opposites together, in both friendship and in the written word, can complement each other to form a wonderful combination.
Aug 28, 2010
Heidi
rated it:
I wasn't highly impressed. There were even some editing choices I wouldn't agree with. The story itself? OK. The pictures? Also OK. A bit dragged out for me. But the message of friendship was a good one.
Jul 12, 2011
Cynthia
rated it:
A great story of how two friends can be so different but still have a deep and appreciative relationship. Good for appreciating differences in friends and peers.
Apr 14, 2011
Tanya
rated it:
3 1/2 stars. Loved some of the poetry, but didn't like the story line so much.
May 09, 2009
Martha
rated it:
Little long but great for introducing words and the idea of using words.
Jan 19, 2010
babyhippoface
rated it:
Sweet story of two mice who find they can still be friends even though they have different interests.
The poetry Bella writes in this picture book is lovely. Definitely not like most poetry you'd find characters writing in picture books--no silly, forced rhymes, which was refreshing.
The poetry Bella writes in this picture book is lovely. Definitely not like most poetry you'd find characters writing in picture books--no silly, forced rhymes, which was refreshing.
Jun 20, 2009
April
rated it:
I love Rebecca Kai Dotlich's poetry, and I love this picture book about two friends who love each other in spite of their differences. Of course, poetry features prominently.
Dec 29, 2011
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