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Clarice Bean
Clarice Bean, That's Me
For use in schools and libraries only. Clarice Bean is a funky new character with real girl power. All she wants is a bit of peace and quiet, away from her family whom many of us will recognise only too well.
32 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 1999
14 people are currently reading
772 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Child
451 books837 followersLauren 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 for six months, still unsure about which career to embark upon.
Before writing and illustrating children's books Child started her own company 'Chandeliers for the People' making lampshades. It was only when she came to write and illustrate the book Clarice Bean, That's Me that she decided to devote her time to writing and illustrating books for children, which combines her fascination for childhood and her talent for designing and creating. Child gets her inspiration from other people's conversations or from seeing something funny happen.
Her book I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato won the 2000 Kate Greenaway Medal. For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005), a panel named it one of the top ten winning works, which comprised the shortlist for a public vote for the nation's favourite. It finished third in the public vote from that shortlist.
Child lives in North London.
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 for six months, still unsure about which career to embark upon.
Before writing and illustrating children's books Child started her own company 'Chandeliers for the People' making lampshades. It was only when she came to write and illustrate the book Clarice Bean, That's Me that she decided to devote her time to writing and illustrating books for children, which combines her fascination for childhood and her talent for designing and creating. Child gets her inspiration from other people's conversations or from seeing something funny happen.
Her book I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato won the 2000 Kate Greenaway Medal. For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005), a panel named it one of the top ten winning works, which comprised the shortlist for a public vote for the nation's favourite. It finished third in the public vote from that shortlist.
Child lives in North London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
February 24, 2021
A fun book with colourful characters however to placement of the words on the page sometimes made it difficult to read
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February 19, 2021Videh ovu knjigu pre neki dan u Trefolinu i vrisnula sam kad sam je ugledala. Mnoogo sam je volela a skroz zaboravila na nju. Iskreno nemam pojma ni o čemu je ali mi je svakako jako draga😂
March 2, 2021
Good book very nostalgic
August 9, 2020
A kids book. A reread. Just joyous.
August 13, 2011
We generally check out a whole slew of books at the library and read them together. Sometimes we find winners, and sometimes ... not. This book had some funny moments, but the siblings are just unpleasant to one another. As I'm trying to teach my three-year-old to be kind to her little sister, I don't particularly want her hearing about siblings who tell one another to shut up, call names, and dump food on one another.
Also, frankly, I think the illustrations are ugly. Just not a style I like.
Also, frankly, I think the illustrations are ugly. Just not a style I like.
January 31, 2013
Best for kids ages 6 and up.
Early Literacy Skills: Narrative Skills
From cover:
When your annoying little brother SHARES YOUR ROOM, your older brother is in the TUNNEL OF ADOLESCENCES, your grandad pours SOUP on his cereal, and your mother listens to foreign language tapes in a CANDLELIT BATHTUB, what do you so to get away from it all?
Meet the wickedly fabulous Clarice Bean and sympathize with her search for just a little peace and quiet amidst a family many of us will recognize only too well.
Scattered text and overpowering illustrations may make reading this book a little difficult for some kids.
Early Literacy Skills: Narrative Skills
From cover:
When your annoying little brother SHARES YOUR ROOM, your older brother is in the TUNNEL OF ADOLESCENCES, your grandad pours SOUP on his cereal, and your mother listens to foreign language tapes in a CANDLELIT BATHTUB, what do you so to get away from it all?
Meet the wickedly fabulous Clarice Bean and sympathize with her search for just a little peace and quiet amidst a family many of us will recognize only too well.
Scattered text and overpowering illustrations may make reading this book a little difficult for some kids.
October 2, 2008
This is my first addition for a new children's bookshelf. I realized I'm leaving out a huge chunk of my reading material, but not accounting for the many books I read with my children. My daughter LOVES the Charlie and Lola series by Lauren Child, so she picked up this book last week at the library. It is a very cute story line; the length and vocabulary are right for her pre-reading level, but some of the content was a little over her head - there was a little name-calling and rough-housing between the siblings as well if you're opposed to exposing your children to this behavior.
October 8, 2017
While the book is very artistic the message it sends is awful. Siblings need to be given examples of kindness not name calling and rudeness. I stopped reading it to my 6 year old mid way because of all the name calling. Not a good book.
October 26, 2025
Bold, brilliant, and bursting with personality — Clarice Bean, That’s Me is a modern classic with style to match
Lauren Child’s Clarice Bean, That’s Me is a joyful explosion of voice, humour, and visual charm. Told through the wonderfully offbeat lens of Clarice — a girl who’s gloriously honest, slightly chaotic, and endlessly curious — this book captures the everyday dramas of family life with wit, warmth, and a refreshingly quirky perspective. It’s the kind of story that makes you laugh out loud, nod in recognition, and want to read bits aloud just to share the fun.
Clarice doesn’t just narrate — she performs. Her thoughts tumble across the page in a stream of consciousness that’s both hilarious and heartfelt. Whether she’s navigating sibling squabbles, school dilemmas, or the general unfairness of being small in a big world, her voice is unmistakably her own: clever, candid, and completely captivating.
What truly sets this book apart is its artwork. Lauren Child’s signature collage style is playful, layered, and full of delightful surprises. The illustrations don’t just accompany the text — they are the text. Fonts bounce across the page, doodles sneak into the margins, and every spread feels like a scrapbook of Clarice’s inner world. There’s a beautiful balance between chaos and clarity, with textures, patterns, and hand-drawn elements that mirror the energy of the story. It’s visually inventive without ever feeling cluttered — a perfect match for the narrator’s lively imagination.
The cover is a treat in itself: bold, quirky, and instantly recognisable. With its mix of scribbled lines, cut-out shapes, and textured backgrounds, it captures the spirit of the book before you’ve even turned the first page. Clarice stands front and centre, wide-eyed and wonderfully expressive, inviting readers into her world with a look that says, “You’re going to want to hear this.” It’s the kind of cover that stands out on a shelf and practically begs to be picked up — especially by readers who love stories with heart, humour, and a dash of delightful disorder.
This is a book that celebrates individuality, curiosity, and the glorious messiness of growing up. Clarice doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out — she’s navigating life one thought bubble at a time, and that’s exactly what makes her so relatable. Whether you’re a child, a parent, a teacher, or just someone who remembers what it’s like to feel slightly misunderstood, Clarice Bean, That’s Me is a joy from start to finish.
A must-read for fans of clever storytelling, creative design, and characters who speak their truth — even when it’s slightly bonkers. Clarice Bean isn’t just a character. She’s a mood, a movement, and a reminder that being yourself is the best kind of brilliant.
❤️✨️👱♀️
Lauren Child’s Clarice Bean, That’s Me is a joyful explosion of voice, humour, and visual charm. Told through the wonderfully offbeat lens of Clarice — a girl who’s gloriously honest, slightly chaotic, and endlessly curious — this book captures the everyday dramas of family life with wit, warmth, and a refreshingly quirky perspective. It’s the kind of story that makes you laugh out loud, nod in recognition, and want to read bits aloud just to share the fun.
Clarice doesn’t just narrate — she performs. Her thoughts tumble across the page in a stream of consciousness that’s both hilarious and heartfelt. Whether she’s navigating sibling squabbles, school dilemmas, or the general unfairness of being small in a big world, her voice is unmistakably her own: clever, candid, and completely captivating.
What truly sets this book apart is its artwork. Lauren Child’s signature collage style is playful, layered, and full of delightful surprises. The illustrations don’t just accompany the text — they are the text. Fonts bounce across the page, doodles sneak into the margins, and every spread feels like a scrapbook of Clarice’s inner world. There’s a beautiful balance between chaos and clarity, with textures, patterns, and hand-drawn elements that mirror the energy of the story. It’s visually inventive without ever feeling cluttered — a perfect match for the narrator’s lively imagination.
The cover is a treat in itself: bold, quirky, and instantly recognisable. With its mix of scribbled lines, cut-out shapes, and textured backgrounds, it captures the spirit of the book before you’ve even turned the first page. Clarice stands front and centre, wide-eyed and wonderfully expressive, inviting readers into her world with a look that says, “You’re going to want to hear this.” It’s the kind of cover that stands out on a shelf and practically begs to be picked up — especially by readers who love stories with heart, humour, and a dash of delightful disorder.
This is a book that celebrates individuality, curiosity, and the glorious messiness of growing up. Clarice doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out — she’s navigating life one thought bubble at a time, and that’s exactly what makes her so relatable. Whether you’re a child, a parent, a teacher, or just someone who remembers what it’s like to feel slightly misunderstood, Clarice Bean, That’s Me is a joy from start to finish.
A must-read for fans of clever storytelling, creative design, and characters who speak their truth — even when it’s slightly bonkers. Clarice Bean isn’t just a character. She’s a mood, a movement, and a reminder that being yourself is the best kind of brilliant.
❤️✨️👱♀️
March 25, 2020
Continuando minha saga de leitura de livros infantis, me deparei com "Clarice Bean: Sou Eu".
Escrito pela mesma autora da série Charlie e Lola (fofissima, que amava ver com a minha prima quando era bem pequena), Lauren Child, este livro contém várias referências do que viria a ser está série.
O desenho característico, diálogos cômicos e referências à Charlie e Lola marcam muito esta leitura!
Achei incrível e acredito ser muito estimulante para as crianças o fato de os textos serem lúdicos (cheios de movimento e parte das ilustrações). Considero que este tipo de escrita ajuda na curiosidade da criança, e no prestar atenção, uma vez que tem que encontrar os textos nas páginas.
Além disso, as ilustrações se conversam muito, sendo uma leitura criativa de se fazer com a criança.
O livro tem como foco central discutir sobre o que fazer quando se quer um momento sozinho (ou de "sossego"). Retratando uma família grande, com várias faixas etárias, Clarice Bean vai comentando o que cada um da família faz para relaxar e passar o tempo, explorando, no meio tempo, as relações familiares.
A única coisa que me chamou a atenção negativamente é alguns estereótipos, principalmente quanto ao pai (trabalhador de empresa, sempre ocupado e emburrado) e a mãe (sempre a defender os filhos).
Muito legal a leitura, indico demais e recomendo! A classificação indicativa é a partir de 6 anos realizar leituras compartilhadas, e a partir dos 8 ou 9 anos, leitura individual (sempre sendo necessário considerar o nível de maturidade e leitura da criança).
Escrito pela mesma autora da série Charlie e Lola (fofissima, que amava ver com a minha prima quando era bem pequena), Lauren Child, este livro contém várias referências do que viria a ser está série.
O desenho característico, diálogos cômicos e referências à Charlie e Lola marcam muito esta leitura!
Achei incrível e acredito ser muito estimulante para as crianças o fato de os textos serem lúdicos (cheios de movimento e parte das ilustrações). Considero que este tipo de escrita ajuda na curiosidade da criança, e no prestar atenção, uma vez que tem que encontrar os textos nas páginas.
Além disso, as ilustrações se conversam muito, sendo uma leitura criativa de se fazer com a criança.
O livro tem como foco central discutir sobre o que fazer quando se quer um momento sozinho (ou de "sossego"). Retratando uma família grande, com várias faixas etárias, Clarice Bean vai comentando o que cada um da família faz para relaxar e passar o tempo, explorando, no meio tempo, as relações familiares.
A única coisa que me chamou a atenção negativamente é alguns estereótipos, principalmente quanto ao pai (trabalhador de empresa, sempre ocupado e emburrado) e a mãe (sempre a defender os filhos).
Muito legal a leitura, indico demais e recomendo! A classificação indicativa é a partir de 6 anos realizar leituras compartilhadas, e a partir dos 8 ou 9 anos, leitura individual (sempre sendo necessário considerar o nível de maturidade e leitura da criança).
September 24, 2022
Hideous book. The characters are utterly awful and disrespect each other. Some of the language used is inappropriate for little children. It's message is that it's okay and normal to be vile to your siblings, rude to your parents and neighbours and behave like a little brat. I felt deeply uncomfortable reading this trash to my son and kept stopping to comment on how nasty the characters were being to each other and that it's not okay. I certainly don't want him thinking it's okay to treat your family and friends like this or using this kind of language. I get the feeling that whoever wrote this book has got psychological issues. They certainly have family issues if this is how they think a normal family is. I didn't even like the animation style. They all look like ugly aliens and you can't see the images clearly.
Utter rubbish. Don't read.
Utter rubbish. Don't read.
August 15, 2017
Clarice Bean, That's Me! is presented in a uniquely creative way - the text covers the pages at all sorts of angles and this encourages and challenges children to read in a different way, as well as making it exciting and interactive.
Another element of the book that I find really interesting is the variety of fonts as they definitely add another layer of meaning to the book - the different fonts mirror the personalities of the different family members, whether it be messy, playful or serious.
The book addresses the dysfunctionality and the functionality of a family in a humorous and playful way; showing children that family comes in all shapes and sizes.
Another element of the book that I find really interesting is the variety of fonts as they definitely add another layer of meaning to the book - the different fonts mirror the personalities of the different family members, whether it be messy, playful or serious.
The book addresses the dysfunctionality and the functionality of a family in a humorous and playful way; showing children that family comes in all shapes and sizes.
November 3, 2017
Clarice leads a cool, socialised life. Chaotic expressive pictures work well with scattergun text itemising clarice's likes and dislikes, family, relatives and friends. Stereotyped mum (relaxes in the bath ) and dad ( big office with Ms Egglington to buzz you through ). Many 10 year old girls might want to be Clarice.
Plenty of humour to make us laugh, and detail to make us talk.
Not necessarily one I would choose for a shared read or whole class read out loud.
Plenty of humour to make us laugh, and detail to make us talk.
Not necessarily one I would choose for a shared read or whole class read out loud.
February 6, 2019
Okay, so this book gets a lot better if you know a kid just like Clarice (which I kind of do). I love the way she talks about her family, because it's sorta different to how an adult would see it. I wasn't super into the art style at first, but it definitely grew on me, so much so that I now think the art style really adds to the charm and value of this picture book. I'd love to read more about Clarice Bean!
August 19, 2024
This is a book about a family. It introduces all the characters, it seems there are other books in this series so this maybe a scene setter. I thought some of the family members were a bit naughty and not nice to each other so not setting a good example. It is same illustration as Charlie and Lola. Not sure how much my 6 year old got out of this book. She thought some bits were amusing but probably not a favourite.
November 28, 2018
Clarice Bean starts life as a picture book, that was unexpected and when you see how it was to spin out into the much, much longer Ruby Redfort books, it is even more surprising.
Child writes a nice little book here, and I'm looking forward to see how Clarice Bean evolves into longer form books, and how Ruby joins in.
Child writes a nice little book here, and I'm looking forward to see how Clarice Bean evolves into longer form books, and how Ruby joins in.
August 30, 2019
Utterly bonkers, but somehow real too - welcome to the world of Clarice Bean! This book introduces the star of the Clarice Bean book series and all the things the make up her life. It’s done in a really original way, accompanied by madcap illustrations that really suit the purpose.
December 18, 2020
I thought it was going to be an early reader or early chapter book. This was very hard for a 4-7 year old child to follow and read with the words all skewampus on the page. Family dynamics in the story were funny to me but didn't bring in the picture book audience I read it to.
October 19, 2018
Alice: 5 stars.
Jenny: 2 stars. The Charlie and Lola books are better, with cuter characters.
Jenny: 2 stars. The Charlie and Lola books are better, with cuter characters.
July 3, 2019
I read this with Katie. I'm not sure if she enjoyed it as much as me, but we did have fun!
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December 27, 2019Nice intro to clarice and her mad family 👩⚕👱👩⚕👱👱😏😏😏🙄
February 6, 2020
The presentation of this book is fun and quirky some of the content was a little big old for my 5 year old.
November 5, 2020
This is a sweet, humorous children’s book. Definitely made me giggle.
September 18, 2021
Super stuff. Funny and relevant. Engaging graphics. Flo and Eadie loved it when Clarice put spaghetti on her brother's head to get some peace and quiet.
September 23, 2021
3.5 stars
A cute introductory book to Clarice Bean and her hectic family.
A cute introductory book to Clarice Bean and her hectic family.
January 20, 2022
Loved this. Impeccably creative with a theme everyone can relate to.
January 2, 2024
This series is super funny, the girl is in the room with her brother because it should be that she will be with her sister and the brother will be with his brother.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 4, 2024I hated this book so much. What was this? I can't believe an English teacher wrote it.
May 22, 2024
Fun intro to Clarice & her family. Loved the illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews