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Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now

(Clarice Bean #7)

Lauren Child

4.05 · Rating details · 2,485 ratings · 176 reviews

Always remember: It's the worry you have not even thought to worry about that should worry you the most.
Clarice Bean has a list of worries, such as Worry No.19: Robert Granger-will he ever leave her alone? Or Worry No. 9: largish spiders. But lately, Worry No. 3: change, and how it sometimes comes along when you least expect it. ...more

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252 pages

Published January 1st 2008 by Candlewick Press (first published 2006)

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· 2,485 ratings · 176 reviews

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Nov 10, 2012 Mark Lawrence rated it it was amazing

A really excellent book that me and Celyn (8) love. It's a funny book, written present tense, first person, from the point of view of a earnest, enthusiastic, off-the-wall, little girl with an interesting family around her. This is good, powerful writing that manages pathos and humour on many levels so that neither the adult reading or a child listening have a chance to get bored(Celyn would read it herself but is hampered by poor sight and other disabilities).

As with Child's other Clarice Bean ...more

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Apr 21, 2017 ☙ nemo ❧ (pagesandprozac) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-realistic, middle-grade, childhood-bookshelf, 5-star

i blame this book for at least 99% of my existentialist, nihilist thoughts as a child

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Nov 27, 2013 Jacoba rated it really liked it

Shelves: materials-for-youth

Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now by Lauren Child (2008)
Genre: Fictopm
Format: Book
Plot summary:"The Ruby Redfort Survival Handbook" is full of useful information for getting out of tricky situations, but will it help Clarice Bean resolve her list of "worst worries"?
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory (strong language, sex, death, religious overtones, violence, etc.): NO special considerations
Review citation (if available): Lynda Waterhouse. School Librarian Spring 2007 v55 i1 p23(1)
Se ...more

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Sep 30, 2018 Georgia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: personal-gems

On my phone, it's 23:32 and I need a comfort read. Instead of reading Curious Incident for the 10th time, I decided to switch things up.

I open the first page...

For a long time I used to go to bed early
But now I go to bed late.
I am not sleeping at night
And I wake up in the dark
And my mind is thinking and spinning
And I start to go into a panic

...just wow! I needed this book right now.

This either was the best or worst book to pick up in the middle of a crappy night since this is basically middl ...more

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Mar 13, 2019 ash rated it it was amazing

I loved these books so much when I was younger, and I still love them now! I've re-read them recently, and they still have the same effect; they're funny, and well written, and the illustrations are just the icing on the cake! And I love Clarice Bean so much, she's got a great personality. I grew up on these books, and I've read them so many times, but i'll never get tired of them! ...more

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Feb 28, 2015 Katie rated it it was amazing

This book is the meaning of fabulous!

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Feb 23, 2020 Ivana Caroline1912 rated it it was amazing

perfect

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May 20, 2011 Miss Ryoko rated it really liked it

Shelves: library-book, children-s-lit

Wow! This Clarice Bean book is really quite serious compared to the others. At first, this kind of threw me off... I wasn't enjoying it as much as the other ones because it had a more serious tone so it was lacking the witty remarks that make me love these books and Lauren Child's sense of writing. However, at the same time, I was enjoying the story because it had such a real-ness to it. I really liked that Clarice Bean was struggling through the things going on in her life and was feeling sort ...more

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Aug 18, 2011 Melissa rated it it was amazing

Finally a book that deals with anxiety and worry for children. I laughed and cried in this book. I loved this book. I love Lauren too! So many novels for primary school readers are about rubbish, but this book manages to deal with serious issues with Laurens trademark unforced humor. I really relate to Clarice Bean and she is a bit of a hero to me too.

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Jul 31, 2018 Akahayla rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: adopted-books, childrens-middle-grade

Loved it!! I had got this book signed by the author about three years ago and I finally got around to reading it.

I was a huge fan of Charlie and Lola as a child and this book makes me want to read all of Clarice Bean. Who cares that I'm an adult??

This book was so innocent and child-like, and sweet and intelligent and ugh I'm in love! ...more

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Feb 05, 2019 Naomi Payne rated it really liked it

I read this to my 7 year old daughter. She was a bit upset when everything went wrong in the middle section of the book and didn’t want to finish it, but I reassured her it was all going to work out (as it’s aimed at her age group)! She enjoyed the end, and I think she took on board the “don’t lose sleep worrying” message.

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Jun 15, 2014 Rose Behar rated it really liked it

Shelves: childrens

It was utterly lovely. I had previously read her second Ruby Redfort spy novel, which is actually a character that stems from the Clarice Bean books, so I did it backwards. Although I am a huge lover of all detective and spy stories, I think objectively this more down-to-earth tale was better.

It featured a very compelling protagonist who faces not only middle school drama, but also ponders some pretty deep stuff i.e. infinity and “how do I get bad thoughts out of my head.” I was always a worried ...more

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Jun 30, 2008 Cher rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: fans of Lynda Barry & Beverly Cleary

Shelves: children-s

Wow, Clarice is getting all existential in this book, just the way I did at about her age. She writes lists of things to worry about and what ifs. I'm thinking this book is later in the series, as there are some graphics but no drawings, and I seem to have missed a few happenings between this and the first Clarice book I read least week. This book is far more serious but reads in the same hilarious voice. Since I snuck a peak at the ending, I can say that it ends on a hopeful note. This book jus ...more

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Mar 12, 2009 Sharon rated it liked it · review of another edition

I bought this to read to my 9 year-old niece who, as it turns out, is a somewhat similar character coincidentally experiencing similar issues. The cover caught my eye and the synopsis sounded like something she's enjoy.

She really liked it and it touched the heavy stuff without losing it's humor and charm. Even her 6 year-old sister had a good time sitting in and listening to it!

While they might fall slightly below the true target age, they got it, related a little bit to it and had fun with it ...more

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Jun 17, 2020 Siobhan rated it it was amazing

Ohmygod so this was my favourite book (after Utterly Me, Clarice Bean which I'll review someday also) when I was 9 years old and in need of a break from lots of serious reading and thinking about dismantling and reconstructing the art world, specifically the gallery - I decided to give it a reread.

What I have to say about that is that was an Incredible decision and this is an Incredible book. A non stop warm fuzzies kinda book. Here we find Clarice Bean surrounded by all her worst worries which ...more

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Jun 24, 2018 Madeline O'Rourke rated it liked it

Shelves: unhauled

I found Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now amongst my storage items when I moved back to Australia, so I thought I'd give it another read all these years after I first read it.

This story, for it's intended age group, is surprisingly dark and nihilistic. Honestly it has really somber overtones throughout the entire story, and though it doesn't bother me, it was completely unexpected of a children's/middle grade novel. I did, however, enjoy the little touches of Clarice's relationships with such varyin ...more

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Dec 08, 2020 Robert Day rated it liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 13, 2021 chooksandbooksnz rated it really liked it

Clarice Bean, Don’t Look Now - Lauren Child

Clarice Bean does it again! This is the last CB book in my TBR and I’m a little sad about it. They have been the perfect in-between reads that require minimal effort.

Although Clarice is aimed at 8-12year old kids- as an adult it’s so cool reflecting on the lessons she taught me as a kid and reinforcing them in a fun and entertaining way!

Clarice deals with an array of problems in this book- her best friend moves to America, her house is in disarray due ...more

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Nov 16, 2018 Victoria rated it it was amazing

This novel is one I have read several times religiously when I was younger, but reading it now has changed so many things for me. The slight ridiculousness of the novel mixed with its relatable truths actually made the novel even more important to me. Clarice Bean is a young girl who is just trying to live her life with her strange family and it seems that her favourite TV character, Ruby Redfort, is the only one trying to help her. She follows her spy guide to the T, using its tips and tricks t ...more

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Dec 18, 2020 Katia rated it it was amazing

Found this in a Charity shop for £1 and i knew i had to buy it.
This was a very important book for younger me, my sister would get so annoyed with me bc of the number of times i borrowed it from her haha

re-reading it was so nostalgic, i kept getting flashbacks to how i felt when i would read and re-read it all those years ago. How much i wanted to be like Clarice, wanted a secret compartment to store my books/notebooks, so much so that i carved a hole in the top of my door. I wanted a white radio ...more

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Aug 30, 2020 Chloe W rated it really liked it

Humorous story of childhood school days and friends. Funny descriptions and great dialogue. Vivid emotions from protagonist, makes me feel the same way! Parting of ways does not mean isolation forever. Sometimes, friendship is long-coming, and Clarice Bean understands at the end of the story. I recommend this book to those who are in distress of friendship.

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Apr 22, 2018 Courtney Umlauf rated it liked it

Shelves: teachers-pay-teachers, middle-grade

Plenty of great themes and issues are dealt with in this installment of the Clarice Bean series, and her unique voice is as fresh and entertaining as it always has been. I felt maybe it could have been a bit shorter, but overall it was enjoyable.

TpT Store | Pinterest ...more

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Jan 12, 2019 Richard Pierce rated it liked it

Shelves: 2019

My smallest room reading. A delight. Reading books for youngsters gives old people like me a great insight.

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Aug 16, 2019 megan ♡ rated it really liked it

Shelves: borrowed, 4-star, read-2011

Used to love Clarice Bean as a kid! I was obsessed with it

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Dec 27, 2019 Alice Hannah Bates rated it it was amazing

The best clarice book yet but soooooooooooooooooooooooo sad when betty goes 😣😣😣😣

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Mar 14, 2020 Sofia rated it really liked it

It was relatable and easy to read. Good book

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Jun 17, 2020 ryan liau rated it liked it

when i was like 7 or 8 i remember i would read this book just bc i liked the cover. it was ight.

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Feb 24, 2021 Becky rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Clarice and uncle Ted are moods

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Jul 31, 2014 Devon Flaherty rated it really liked it

The Clarice Bean trilogy by Lauren Child, published from 1999-2006. The series includes, in order, Utterly Me Clarice Bean, Clarice Bean Spells Trouble, and Clarice Bean Don’t Look Now. There are three more books related to the series, but they are picture books and I did not read them.

Best I can decipher, Child started her uber-English writing career with the invention of the Clarice Bean character, but a year later had caught the world’s attention with the first Charlie and Lola book. Now, all The Clarice Bean trilogy by Lauren Child, published from 1999-2006. The series includes, in order, Utterly Me Clarice Bean, Clarice Bean Spells Trouble, and Clarice Bean Don’t Look Now. There are three more books related to the series, but they are picture books and I did not read them.

Best I can decipher, Child started her uber-English writing career with the invention of the Clarice Bean character, but a year later had caught the world’s attention with the first Charlie and Lola book. Now, all this was around 1999-2000 and the woman stays utterly busy, and has published twenty-three books since then, some of them picture books and some of them novels, has illustrated more than ten more (including editions of Pipi Longstocking and Anne of Green Gables), and produces the PBS cartoon about Charlie and Lola. She’s won an impressive amount of impressive awards for her writing and illustrating. Her art is wonderful and beautiful and exceptionordinary.

My daughter was born in 2004, and we quickly came across Charlie and Lola and became fans. Reading them out to her in my British imitation of Lola is a memory I will always cherish. “I have this little sister Lola. She is small and very funny.” So when Windsor got to the right age (reading chapter books, early elementary school) for Clarice Bean, we gave her the box set for Christmas. (Then she got to the age for Ruby Redfort right as that series really took off, and she happens to be reading through it right now.) I just now read through Clarice Bean by my own self, so I could give it a review.

Clarice Bean reminds me very, very much of a slightly older Junie B. Jones (her American counterpart?) and, going back, Ramona Quimby. It’s not just the characters that are all similar (precocious, not-well-put-together-but-incredibly-imaginative and lovable girl meets the hard knocks of normal, middle class childhood), but having the story told through the voice of the child, including not just the thoughts and perceptions, but the language as well. The books are short and sweet, which is about right for a young reader. Utterly Me gets you hooked on the character and her world, Spells Trouble makes you laugh right out loud, and Don’t Look Now gets much more introspective before it gives you a characteristic One-Scene-Denouement. (I made up that phrase, because I have never been able to find a word for the type of story ending where all the strings are tied in a very small space and one scene. It’s the type of ending I enjoy most, actually. Just one big ka-pow!, everyone accounted for.)

The plots are slightly different in each book. For Utterly Me, Clarice is avidly reading about her favorite character, the young detective Ruby Redfort, while trying to figure out her book report. But when the book report prize goes missing, Clarice must become a young detective herself. For Spells Trouble, Clarice tackles both the school play and the school spelling bee (and, as always, Ruby Redfort), all while balancing her siblings, her parents, her friends, and the colorful characters that make up her neighborhood and school. In Don’t Look Now, Clarice’s world gets a bit clouded by her own worries and some very disturbing circumstances (like the loss of a friend, a dysfunctional house, and insomnia). But between her own indomitable spirit and her loving family and friends, she may just be able to find her way out of the maze of growing up.

I like Clarice Bean and I would recommend it for elementary-age kids, both girls and boys. Just like Junie B. and Ramona, Child has given Clarice enough masculinity to appeal to both genders. Her concerns and struggles will ring very familiar to most young readers (like class bullies, fear of parental divorce, obsession with a fictional character, etc.), but her voice keeps right on the fine line between too serious and too darn funny. Basically-universal morals included, like “Don’t lose sleep over worry” and “There is life after a friend moves away.” Windsor also likes these books, enough to have read them twice and to choose them for her Barnes & Nobel Reading Club summer reading spree.

So recommends all round. In fact, just check out Lauren Child if you like good literature and/or good illustrations and have a child or an interest in child culture. I also strongly recommend the Charlie and Lola series from PBS. (Note, many of the Charlie and Lola books are based on the TV show’s script, not written by Child.)

I will be reviewing the first four books (all that exist) of the Ruby Redfort series in the next several months, once Windsor coughs them up.

***REVIEW WRITTEN FOR THE STARVING ARTIST BLOG. ...more

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May 31, 2010 Hannah Rachel Potter rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, children, favourites

If the author of this book sounds familiar to you, I’m guessing you probably have at least one fan of Charlie and Lola in your house. Chipmunk was around two or three when that show started on CBeebies, and he became hooked right away. He couldn’t get enough of the TV show, the books, the DVDs – everything! The idea was as old as the hills, but Child’s take on the brother/sister relationship was so fresh and new – and funny!

Chipmunk still likes Charlie and Lola but, at seven (and with a reading If the author of this book sounds familiar to you, I’m guessing you probably have at least one fan of Charlie and Lola in your house. Chipmunk was around two or three when that show started on CBeebies, and he became hooked right away. He couldn’t get enough of the TV show, the books, the DVDs – everything! The idea was as old as the hills, but Child’s take on the brother/sister relationship was so fresh and new – and funny!

Chipmunk still likes Charlie and Lola but, at seven (and with a reading age of at least fourteen) is starting to need much more of a challenge in his books. It is really, really tough to find a book that is both demanding academically, while being suitable for a child of his age. Clarice Bean fits the bill to perfection.
Chipmunk spotted this Clarice Bean book when we were in Waterstones one day, and was drawn to it immediately. He recognised the style of illustration on the cover (Child’s work is instantly identifiable to anyone who has seen it before) and would not leave the store without the book! So, I bought it. Of course I did!

We read it together over a couple of weeks – and I think it’s safe to say that I loved it as much as him! Don’t Look Now deals with life, family and friendship from the perspective of a ten-year-old girl with a great sense of humour – and a penchant for using eversovery extremely long and drawn-out sentences (just like Lola!). She is a bit of a loner, but that’s ok – so is Chipmunk! She also has firm friendships, and a great attitude to life. Also just like Chipmunk. Oh, and she wants to be a spy – I’m not sure Chipmunk is quite there with her on that one yet…give it time!

The two of us were in fits of giggles reading this book. Child really makes you care about Clarice and her friends – and I have to admit that I did not see the twist in the tale coming at all! Chipmunk also delighted in the wonderful illustrations across the pages, and the way little bits of information are tucked into the margins or along the sides – making you turn the book inside out to read them…just like with Charlie and Lola. But while there are many similarities, Child is definitely moving away from the brother/sister duo into a slightly more ‘grown-up’ style of story-telling.

I don’t really want to say too much more, for fear of giving the story away. Suffice it to say that I think every child (and parent) needs to get to know Clarice Bean – she will bring joy and laughter to your house, and you won’t be sorry you let her in. As for Chipmunk and I – well, we have the next two books all ready to read :)

Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5 stars

Chipmunk’s Verdict: Absolutely wonderful, it has to be a five-star book.

Overall Verdict: Eversovery extremely absolutely wonderfully awesome! Read it. ...more

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About Lauren Child

Lauren Child

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Lauren Child MBE is an English author and illustrator. She was the UK Children's Laureate from 2017-19.

Child grew up in Wiltshire as the middle child of three sisters and the daughter of two teachers. She has always been interested in the many aspects of childhood, from gazing into toy shop windows to watching American children's shows from the 1960s. After attending two Art Schools, she travelled ...more