What This Book Is About
Ivy and Bean are neighbours, but they were never supposed to be friends. Bean is wild, loud, and always in motion—the kind of kid who bounces off walls and leaps before she looks. Ivy is quiet, bookish, and spends her time studying spells from a book about witchcraft. Bean's mum says they should be friends. Bean disagrees. Ivy doesn't care. Then one afternoon, Bean plays a prank on her sister and needs a hiding spot—fast. She ducks into Ivy's yard, and what follows is the beginning of the most unlikely, most unstoppable friendship you'll ever read about.
Annie Barrows writes with a pitch-perfect understanding of how seven-year-olds actually think and talk, and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Sophie Blackall brings every moment to life with expressive, playful black-and-white drawings. The book launched a beloved series of twelve titles that has sold over five million copies worldwide—and it all starts here, with two girls who prove that the best friendships happen when you least expect them.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why We Recommend This Book
For A1-A2 level students (G2), Ivy + Bean is one of the best bridges from picture books to independent chapter-book reading.
First, the dialogue is natural and snappy—it reads the way real kids talk, which means young EAL learners absorb authentic conversational English without even realising it. Every chapter models how friendships work through real dialogue: disagreements, compromises, and shared excitement.
Second, Bean and Ivy are very different personalities who learn to appreciate each other's strengths. This mirrors UWC's core value of celebrating diversity—the idea that differences make friendships (and communities) richer, not weaker.
Third, the book is part of a twelve-book series, so once a child is hooked, they have a clear reading path ahead of them. Series reading is one of the most effective strategies for building fluency, because familiar characters and consistent language patterns reduce cognitive load and let young readers focus on enjoying the story.
Reading Level Guide
A bit challenging at Pre-A1. Try shared reading or start with a simpler picture book.
The sweet spot. A rewarding challenge for A1 readers; comfortable and fun for A2.
An easy, breezy read at B1. Still enjoyable for the humour, great for building speed.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.