Ivy and Bean captures the blossoming friendship between two mischievous seven-year-olds. Although Barrows juxtaposes Ivy's and Bean's personalities in the book's beginning--as Ivy sits demurely perusing big books, and restless Bean devises pranks for her older sister, Nancy--the reader soon discovers (along with Ivy and Bean!) the link that unites them as friends: Imagination.

What follows is a realistic day in the life of two creative, rascally girls, set in the inviting neighborhood of Pancake Court, Ivy and Bean's cul-de-sac. The girls' dialogue is highly believable, and complements the balance Barrows strikes between quirky detail and action.

While most of the humorous situations Ivy and Bean create are as charmingly strange as one of Ivy's potions, the book does contain a noticeable amount of name calling. The sibling discord between Nancy and Bean is commendable in its credibility, but lacked any hint at resolution or forgiveness. However, there is a lovely moment in which Bean recalls Nancy's comforting her after a nightmare, and the fairy coloring book she gave her (which, it must be noted, Nancy later takes back in anger). Bean's relationship with her mother has a bit too much to do with avoiding punishment . . . but perhaps this is entirely realistic for an imp such as herself.

These small qualms aside, Ivy and Bean prove irrepressibly winsome in their debut adventure, and the strength of both their individual characters and their friendship promises many more delightful romps.