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Ivy & Bean #3
Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Record
World record fever grips the second grade, and soon Ivy and Bean are trying to set their own record by becoming the youngest people to have ever discovered a dinosaur. But how hard is it to find one?
132 pages, Hardcover
First published August 31, 2007
449 people are currently reading
1503 people want to read
About the author
Annie Barrows
75 books975 followersAnnie grew up in Northern California, and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, with a degree in Medieval History. Unable to find a job in the middle ages, she decided upon a career as an editor, eventually landing at Chronicle Books in San Francisco, where she was in charge of "all the books that nobody in their right mind would publish." After earning an M.F.A. in Creative Writing at Mills College, Annie wrote (as Ann Fiery) a number of books for grown-ups about such diverse subjects as fortune-telling (she can read palms!), urban legends (there are no alligators in the sewer!), and opera (she knows what they're singing about!). In 2003, Annie grew weary of grown-ups, and began to write for kids, which she found to be way more fun.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
February 5, 2013
I definitely like this book better than Book 1 or Book 2 of the series, and really my rating should be 3 1/2 stars. I couldn't bring myself to give it 4 stars, though, because I don't "really like" it.
Mainly, I was quite pleased to see that Ivy and Bean's adventures in this book did not involve being mean or disrespectful to other people.
Ms. Aruba-Tate, in a clever move that shows how great a teacher she is, gets a distracted Bean back on task (reading) by introducing her to "The Amazing Book of World Records". The rest of the book is about how Ivy and Bean go about trying to set a world record.
I LOVE the way the book introduces readers to Mary Anning, a real British paleontologist who dug up an ichthyosaur at age 12. Mary Anning gives the girls the confidence to believe that even a 12-year-old girl can do something big and important.
There is also a healthy "don't worry about what other people think" message in this book. Ivy and Bean enjoy their paleontology activities, and they forge ahead, even though their peers might doubt and ridicule them.
This book really had the potential for 4 stars, but in the beginning, I was disappointed in the way Bean - not surprisingly - did not respect Nancy's property. Also, I was a bit uneasy about the way some of the kids were going about trying to break world records. In the end, it's clear some of the ideas were bad ideas, but it almost seemed like this book should have come with a "Kids, don't try this at home!" warning. Finally, towards the end of the book, the name-calling appeared. If Isabelle did not before know the "L-for-loser" hand gesture, she does now. Sigh.
Mainly, I was quite pleased to see that Ivy and Bean's adventures in this book did not involve being mean or disrespectful to other people.
Ms. Aruba-Tate, in a clever move that shows how great a teacher she is, gets a distracted Bean back on task (reading) by introducing her to "The Amazing Book of World Records". The rest of the book is about how Ivy and Bean go about trying to set a world record.
I LOVE the way the book introduces readers to Mary Anning, a real British paleontologist who dug up an ichthyosaur at age 12. Mary Anning gives the girls the confidence to believe that even a 12-year-old girl can do something big and important.
There is also a healthy "don't worry about what other people think" message in this book. Ivy and Bean enjoy their paleontology activities, and they forge ahead, even though their peers might doubt and ridicule them.
This book really had the potential for 4 stars, but in the beginning, I was disappointed in the way Bean - not surprisingly - did not respect Nancy's property. Also, I was a bit uneasy about the way some of the kids were going about trying to break world records. In the end, it's clear some of the ideas were bad ideas, but it almost seemed like this book should have come with a "Kids, don't try this at home!" warning. Finally, towards the end of the book, the name-calling appeared. If Isabelle did not before know the "L-for-loser" hand gesture, she does now. Sigh.
May 14, 2020
The first two Ivy and Beans books I had mixed feelings about. This one I really enjoyed. Both my girls love these books. This one was read in the fall of 2016 with my oldest, and in the spring of 2020 my youngest read it to me. I remembered less about this volume than the previous two. This is a really good story. And I was especially impressed with the role of Bean’s dad in supporting and encouraging the girls. When I read this with my oldest, she was a very reluctant reader and we alternated pages, and if ever there was a shorter page she wanted to swap for it. With my youngest even though she struggled occasionally, mostly with names, but she read the entire text to me. Usually a chapter or 2 a day to get her 20 minutes reading time in. My oldest rated it 4/5, I rated it 4/5 both times, and my youngest rated it 4/5. It is the first time we all rated one of these books the same.
As mentioned, I have had some reservations about the series. But this volume has not talk of witchcraft, no spells, no ghosts. And in this volume Ivy and Bean have great support and encouragement from Bean’s father. Bean seems to have a hard time sitting still in class, especially during drop everything and read time. So the teacher brings in a book for her, A Book Of World Records. She is fascinated with it, and at recess the whole class becomes fascinated. Many of the students want to break a record. Bean comes up with a few different options, and yet soon realizes that breaking world records. But she gets the idea to become the worlds youngest paleontologist. And her and Ivy begin digging in her back yard. They find some bones and announce at school that they have found a dinosaur. Soon a lot of students in their class, and other classes are coming over to see the bones. But it is not as they seem. And Bean’s dad helps them out of a sticky situation.
When I first read these my oldest lost interested after 4 books and moved on to the Stella Batts books. That is not happening with my youngest. She already has plans to finish the whole series. Any book that keeps them reading and developing their skills is one I will read with them for now. But we always talk about the content of these books, and that the behavior modeled is not to be copied. This time we talked about the great friendship. Sticking with each other. And Bean’s dad helping them out.
The books in this series are great leveled readers. Both my girls read it in grade 4. At grade 4 if reading at grade level this book should be an easy read. If they are a little behind grade level, they will need some help. But both girls love the book and the story. I have a feeling based on my youngest that I will be reading the whole series soon. And maybe even rereading it. The best in the series so far.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books in the Ivy and Bean series.
As mentioned, I have had some reservations about the series. But this volume has not talk of witchcraft, no spells, no ghosts. And in this volume Ivy and Bean have great support and encouragement from Bean’s father. Bean seems to have a hard time sitting still in class, especially during drop everything and read time. So the teacher brings in a book for her, A Book Of World Records. She is fascinated with it, and at recess the whole class becomes fascinated. Many of the students want to break a record. Bean comes up with a few different options, and yet soon realizes that breaking world records. But she gets the idea to become the worlds youngest paleontologist. And her and Ivy begin digging in her back yard. They find some bones and announce at school that they have found a dinosaur. Soon a lot of students in their class, and other classes are coming over to see the bones. But it is not as they seem. And Bean’s dad helps them out of a sticky situation.
When I first read these my oldest lost interested after 4 books and moved on to the Stella Batts books. That is not happening with my youngest. She already has plans to finish the whole series. Any book that keeps them reading and developing their skills is one I will read with them for now. But we always talk about the content of these books, and that the behavior modeled is not to be copied. This time we talked about the great friendship. Sticking with each other. And Bean’s dad helping them out.
The books in this series are great leveled readers. Both my girls read it in grade 4. At grade 4 if reading at grade level this book should be an easy read. If they are a little behind grade level, they will need some help. But both girls love the book and the story. I have a feeling based on my youngest that I will be reading the whole series soon. And maybe even rereading it. The best in the series so far.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books in the Ivy and Bean series.
March 4, 2019
When her classroom teacher, Ms. Aruba-Tate, gives her a copy of The Amazing Book of World Records during a "Drop Everything and Read" session, second-grader Bean, together with her best friend Ivy, is soon involved in an effort to become a world record holder in... something. Attempting to hold hundreds of straws in her mouth, or to break a glass figurine (pilfered from her older sister Nancy's collection) by singing brings little success, however, so Bean, influenced by Ivy's current obsession with Mary Anning, sets her sights on becoming the world's youngest paleontologist. Finding some old bones buried in the back yard, the two friends become convinced that they have unearthed a dinosaur, and spread the news far and wide...
I really enjoyed this third entry in author Annie Barrows and illustrator Sophie Blackall's series of chapter-books devoted to the (mis)adventures of best friends Ivy and Bean. Once again the text and artwork captured the very different personalities of the two girls, while delivering an engaging story that was humorous, and sometimes quite thought-provoking. There's this lovely little scene, about halfway through, when Ivy and Bean are discussing being right, and whether or not it matters if others know you are right:
"I want other people to know I'm right. Especially when I really am right."
Ivy thought for a moment. "But you're still right, even if they don't think so."
"I guess." Bean sighed. "I just feel better if other people think I'm right too."
"Hardly anybody ever thinks I'm right," said Ivy.
Bean nodded. That was true. A lot of people didn't understand Ivy's ideas. She had had plenty of practice at not being believed. That's probably why she didn't get as mad about it as Bean did. She just went ahead with her ides anyway. You can do whatever you want if you don't care what people think, Bean realized. But you have to do it alone a lot of the time.
Quite a little philosophical interlude to work in to a beginning chapter-book - especially one that operates as a humorous story, at the surface level! I was also quite charmed by Ivy's Mary Anning obsession here, since we recently read a children's biography of Anning, for The Picture-Book Clubto which I belong. Good to know that young readers will learn who she was, through this entertaining story. Finally, given the fact that Bean can be somewhat mean-spirited, I really appreciated the fact that she admits (mostly), in a scene toward to the end of the book, that she is wrong: Bean sucked in her breath. She knew what she had to say. "You were right and we were wrong," she said. "Probably."
All in all, a worthy addition to the Ivy and Bean series, one I would recommend to any chapter-book reader who enjoyed the first two.
I really enjoyed this third entry in author Annie Barrows and illustrator Sophie Blackall's series of chapter-books devoted to the (mis)adventures of best friends Ivy and Bean. Once again the text and artwork captured the very different personalities of the two girls, while delivering an engaging story that was humorous, and sometimes quite thought-provoking. There's this lovely little scene, about halfway through, when Ivy and Bean are discussing being right, and whether or not it matters if others know you are right:
"I want other people to know I'm right. Especially when I really am right."
Ivy thought for a moment. "But you're still right, even if they don't think so."
"I guess." Bean sighed. "I just feel better if other people think I'm right too."
"Hardly anybody ever thinks I'm right," said Ivy.
Bean nodded. That was true. A lot of people didn't understand Ivy's ideas. She had had plenty of practice at not being believed. That's probably why she didn't get as mad about it as Bean did. She just went ahead with her ides anyway. You can do whatever you want if you don't care what people think, Bean realized. But you have to do it alone a lot of the time.
Quite a little philosophical interlude to work in to a beginning chapter-book - especially one that operates as a humorous story, at the surface level! I was also quite charmed by Ivy's Mary Anning obsession here, since we recently read a children's biography of Anning, for The Picture-Book Clubto which I belong. Good to know that young readers will learn who she was, through this entertaining story. Finally, given the fact that Bean can be somewhat mean-spirited, I really appreciated the fact that she admits (mostly), in a scene toward to the end of the book, that she is wrong: Bean sucked in her breath. She knew what she had to say. "You were right and we were wrong," she said. "Probably."
All in all, a worthy addition to the Ivy and Bean series, one I would recommend to any chapter-book reader who enjoyed the first two.
October 28, 2009
I really enjoyed reading this book. I consider it chapter book for young readers. It still has pictures and some pages with very few words. It is about two girls, Ivy and Bean, and how reading a book about amazing world records sparked their interest in breaking a record. I felt that I could really relate to this book and I think students could as well. It is fun and very realistic!
July 15, 2015
Ovela opettaja saa levottoman Bean keskittymään "jätä kaikki muu sikseen ja lue" tunnilla tarjoamalle tälle Suurta ennätyskirjaa. Välitunnilla kirjasta innostuu koko luokka ja ennätystehtailu alkaa.
Jotain hauskaa ja koukuttavaa näissä kirjoissa vain on. Neiti 9v luki tämänkin osan yhdellä istumalla ääneen naureskellen ja vei sen sitten tyynylleni odottamaan, että muistan varmasti lukea ja "arvostella".
Jotain hauskaa ja koukuttavaa näissä kirjoissa vain on. Neiti 9v luki tämänkin osan yhdellä istumalla ääneen naureskellen ja vei sen sitten tyynylleni odottamaan, että muistan varmasti lukea ja "arvostella".
January 4, 2016
I really liked this book because ivy and bean got encouraged to find dinosaur bones in her backyard and they found some but they were bones that the persons that lived there theire dog used to hide them in holes. I would recommend this book to my sister when she is more older because maybe she could also enjoy reading the books of them and it could encourage her to do something in the book.
October 4, 2018
A wonderful read with the kids, as always.
January 18, 2020
3.5, this book is neither here nor there for me. My six year old listens while I read to her each night but it hasn’t caused any laughs, oh pleeeease just one more chapter, or deep discussions which are common with our nightly reads. I purchased the first 9 in the series so we will keep going and see what happens.
April 29, 2015
Ivy and Bean never thought they'd be friends. Bean is wild, a practical joker with a sharp tongue. Ivy is smart, someone who reads tons of books and has a bunch of inventive ideas. Now united in friendship, Ivy and Bean compliment each other perfectly. Nothing can stand in their way.
This book started off pretty slow. I wasn't too interested until the second half.
Bean is bored in Drop Everything And Read (or, the DEAR program). Her insightful teacher has anticipated this and hands Bean a Guinness Book of World Records. Score! Bean, and everyone else in the class, is fascinating by the weird things people did to break records. Immediately, each kid makes a plan to break a record. Zuzu plans on doing 110 cartwheels in a row. Eric plans on eating 401 M&Ms in one minute. Emma plans on hanging 16 spoons from her face.
What can Bean do? She sees that a woman has broken a wine glass with her voice! Perhaps she can do that.
Ivy, meanwhile is reading a book about Mary Anning, the female paleontologist that discovered dinosaur bones at age 12. When breaking glass with her voice doesn't work for Bean, she and Ivy decide to dig up Bean's backyard for dinosaur bones.
I liked that Barrows used Mary Anning, a real-life girl who did cool stuff, as a role model for the girls. Interested readers may want to look her up (don't expect a long attention span, just about two minutes of looking at pictures of her and discussing).
I adore the conversation Bean and Ivy have about whether other people believing you is important.
"Who cares what other people think?"
Bean stepped over a crack in the sidewalk. "I do. I want other people to know I'm right. Especially when I really AM right."
Ivy thought for a moment. "But you're still right, even if they don't think so."
"I guess." Bean sighed. "I just feel better if other people think I'm right, too."
"Hardly anybody ever thinks I'm right," said Ivy.
Bean nodded. That was true. A lot of people don't understand Ivy's ideas. She had had plenty of practice at not being believed. That's probably why she didn't get as mad about it as Bean did. She just went ahead with her ideas anyway. You can do whatever you want if you don't care what people think, Bean realized. But you have to do it alone a lot of the time.
Wow, I like this philosophical thinking for 7-year-olds. Nicely done, Barrows.
I also really like Bean's dad's attitude in this book. Bean and Ivy cause a lot of trouble. They break dishes, steal Nancy's (Bean's sister) glass octopus, and generally run around making messes. But in this book, Bean's dad admits he misses them when the house is empty. He feels lonely when they're away. He also doesn't freak out and yell when he finds out they've dug multiple holes while excavating the backyard. I know it's probably unrealistic for a real-life parent to be this cool and patient, but I enjoyed it in this fictional account.
Ivy also acts really brave in this book, speaking publically even though she knows she's going to disappoint people with the news she has to share. Barrows always makes Ivy do something brave in each book, which is great and really helps even out her bookish, dress-wearing side. It's easy to forget that she's just as much of a powerhouse as Bean, although in a different way!
In conclusion, these books really capture the 7-year-old voice. The adventures and problems the girls get into are pretty realistic and true to life. Their thought processes and rationale is spot-on, exactly what little kids think and say. Amazing work by Barrows. Great illustrations, too.
This book started off pretty slow. I wasn't too interested until the second half.
Bean is bored in Drop Everything And Read (or, the DEAR program). Her insightful teacher has anticipated this and hands Bean a Guinness Book of World Records. Score! Bean, and everyone else in the class, is fascinating by the weird things people did to break records. Immediately, each kid makes a plan to break a record. Zuzu plans on doing 110 cartwheels in a row. Eric plans on eating 401 M&Ms in one minute. Emma plans on hanging 16 spoons from her face.
What can Bean do? She sees that a woman has broken a wine glass with her voice! Perhaps she can do that.
Ivy, meanwhile is reading a book about Mary Anning, the female paleontologist that discovered dinosaur bones at age 12. When breaking glass with her voice doesn't work for Bean, she and Ivy decide to dig up Bean's backyard for dinosaur bones.
I liked that Barrows used Mary Anning, a real-life girl who did cool stuff, as a role model for the girls. Interested readers may want to look her up (don't expect a long attention span, just about two minutes of looking at pictures of her and discussing).
I adore the conversation Bean and Ivy have about whether other people believing you is important.
"Who cares what other people think?"
Bean stepped over a crack in the sidewalk. "I do. I want other people to know I'm right. Especially when I really AM right."
Ivy thought for a moment. "But you're still right, even if they don't think so."
"I guess." Bean sighed. "I just feel better if other people think I'm right, too."
"Hardly anybody ever thinks I'm right," said Ivy.
Bean nodded. That was true. A lot of people don't understand Ivy's ideas. She had had plenty of practice at not being believed. That's probably why she didn't get as mad about it as Bean did. She just went ahead with her ideas anyway. You can do whatever you want if you don't care what people think, Bean realized. But you have to do it alone a lot of the time.
Wow, I like this philosophical thinking for 7-year-olds. Nicely done, Barrows.
I also really like Bean's dad's attitude in this book. Bean and Ivy cause a lot of trouble. They break dishes, steal Nancy's (Bean's sister) glass octopus, and generally run around making messes. But in this book, Bean's dad admits he misses them when the house is empty. He feels lonely when they're away. He also doesn't freak out and yell when he finds out they've dug multiple holes while excavating the backyard. I know it's probably unrealistic for a real-life parent to be this cool and patient, but I enjoyed it in this fictional account.
Ivy also acts really brave in this book, speaking publically even though she knows she's going to disappoint people with the news she has to share. Barrows always makes Ivy do something brave in each book, which is great and really helps even out her bookish, dress-wearing side. It's easy to forget that she's just as much of a powerhouse as Bean, although in a different way!
In conclusion, these books really capture the 7-year-old voice. The adventures and problems the girls get into are pretty realistic and true to life. Their thought processes and rationale is spot-on, exactly what little kids think and say. Amazing work by Barrows. Great illustrations, too.
August 6, 2012
My favorite of the first three in the series. I started to understand these two little seven year olds better. I was laughing out loud so much. Two other characters that need a mention: Mrs. Aruba-Tate, Ivy's and Bean's second grade teacher, is perfect. I hope my daughters second grade teacher turns out as in-tune and loving as her. Bean's dad is cool. He gets his handful of a daughter and knows how to meet her needs positively.
The best compliment for this series comes from my seven year old, "I love these books even more than Magic Tree House!" (and she really likes Magic Tree House)
I think boys at this reading level would enjoy the tales of these two friends, as well. These girl's are always up to something adventurous and wild.
The best compliment for this series comes from my seven year old, "I love these books even more than Magic Tree House!" (and she really likes Magic Tree House)
I think boys at this reading level would enjoy the tales of these two friends, as well. These girl's are always up to something adventurous and wild.
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May 7, 2013Put this book in my daughters Easter basket in place of candy and read it aloud to her this week. She is six and in kindergarten, so not up to reading chapter books on her own yet, but able to sit still and listen to longer stories out loud. She also enjoyed the pictures.
I loved that the book introduces Mary Anning, whom I first read about in a book by Tracy Chevalier. And I loved the "it doesn't matter what other people think" lesson, AND the lack of toilet humor. I wasn't crazy about Bean sneaking into her sisters room but I cracked up at the part where she screams to break a glass and her father comes running in panic.
I loved that the book introduces Mary Anning, whom I first read about in a book by Tracy Chevalier. And I loved the "it doesn't matter what other people think" lesson, AND the lack of toilet humor. I wasn't crazy about Bean sneaking into her sisters room but I cracked up at the part where she screams to break a glass and her father comes running in panic.
April 11, 2014
I read this to my 5 year old. It was cute and funny. She liked all the pictures. There are drawings on almost every page.
It is our second pass through because it did not hold my kids attention as well as the first two.
I have to say though, Ms Aruba Tate sounds like an amazing teacher and Bean's father is such a sweet Dad.
It is our second pass through because it did not hold my kids attention as well as the first two.
I have to say though, Ms Aruba Tate sounds like an amazing teacher and Bean's father is such a sweet Dad.
October 30, 2018
As with the other two books I've read in this series, I am not overly fond of it. Do I think it is cute? Yes! Yes I do! Is it for me? Nope!
But I have a firmer grip on what this series entails and I wouldn't have a hard time suggesting it to kids who are looking for easier chapter books to read. Yay!
So this is a "suggest for younger readers" for me.
But I have a firmer grip on what this series entails and I wouldn't have a hard time suggesting it to kids who are looking for easier chapter books to read. Yay!
So this is a "suggest for younger readers" for me.
July 28, 2011
p. 87 - "you can do whatever you want if you don't care what people think, Bean realized. But you have to do it alone a lot of the time."
January 2, 2011
What is there for a kid to NOT love about this book? World records, dinosaur bones, and two of the most fun seven year old's the chapter book genre has known. Complete delight.
August 5, 2012
Very enjoyable. Head and shoulders above lots of other school / friend/ family stories. Reminds me a bit of the Ramona books.
January 19, 2017
I hated this book! I don't recommend this book for anyone.
July 10, 2019
I read this with my niece!
January 25, 2020
This is a good book. Ivy and Bean are funny.
July 8, 2021
Fun story.
July 13, 2022
So basically, Ivy reads a book about a girl find a whole bunch of dinosaur skeletons and then Ivy and Bean want to find bones, too. Well, they find some, but then find out they aren't dinosaur bones. It really disappointed me at this point. Don't get me wrong, I love this series and I know that as an author (I don't mean that I'm an author because I'm not yet) you must have twist and turns in your story, but to write a whole story about finding dinosaur bones and saying, "They got dinosaur bones!" and then to top it off with, "They actually weren't dinosaur bones." Is just annoying, especially if you were reading because you knew... I mean thought that they were going to find some bones. I think it would have been cooler if they actually found dinosaur bones and broke record, rather than the ending they ended up with. It still was a good one, but I think it could be better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2020
I like that they think that it would be exciting to break a record and all there tries at it. I didn’t like that the character Emma seemed mean and rude. And I don’t like how mean the sister was and how mean they talked to each other. I didn’t like having to read the mean words.
February 15, 2021
YESSSSSSS i remember reading this book so vividly
January 12, 2020
We finished the 3rd Ivy and Bean tonight, Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Record. (Thanks to Costco we now have a box set of them!)
This is a cute story of two 7-year-old best friends, Ivy and Bean. They become friends in the first and put a spell on Bean’s big sister. In the second, they discover a ghost in the girls’ bathroom. In this one, they find bones in Bean’s backyard that might be dinosaurs.
So far these have been really cute and fun. Kaylee loves them too and we’ve been reading several chapters at night instead of mixing in picture books. As soon as we finished this tonight, we started the 4th, so there’s a lot more of these two friends in our future.
4/5
This is a cute story of two 7-year-old best friends, Ivy and Bean. They become friends in the first and put a spell on Bean’s big sister. In the second, they discover a ghost in the girls’ bathroom. In this one, they find bones in Bean’s backyard that might be dinosaurs.
So far these have been really cute and fun. Kaylee loves them too and we’ve been reading several chapters at night instead of mixing in picture books. As soon as we finished this tonight, we started the 4th, so there’s a lot more of these two friends in our future.
4/5
September 6, 2023
Bean and Nancy are the new Beezus and Ramona. “Potato Face” is the best insult I’ll be taking from this book—and it’s full of gems.
January 2, 2020
A cute story. I have had this sitting next to my bed for a while. I bought it because Annie Barrows co-wrote "The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society" (which I loved).
In this story Bean gets a book about records from her teacher and then all the kids in her class are trying to break records. Ivy on the other hand is reading about a paleontologist. Then stories/goals combine and they end up digging for dinosaur bones in Bean's yard. A short read and really cute.
In this story Bean gets a book about records from her teacher and then all the kids in her class are trying to break records. Ivy on the other hand is reading about a paleontologist. Then stories/goals combine and they end up digging for dinosaur bones in Bean's yard. A short read and really cute.
August 13, 2023
Shows how persistent the pair can be. Some discourage the girls' archaeological digs as just bones from dogs or of dogs. Finally Bean's dad offers an unusual solution.
October 9, 2018
I stretched this book out of my daughter's bookshelf thinking of one of her favorite books I used to enjoy watching her reading ever since she had started to read. Totally opposite characterized girls were attractive enough for me to choose this book as the multicultural trait of the book. Bean is a tomboy who dares to dig around in the dirt and has a hard time sitting still for Drop Everything and Read in school. Ivy in cute outfit seems an unlikely best friend for Bean and rarely get bothered by the interrupt. But both girls share exploration to meet their goals. Both get caught up in World Record Fever after reading a book. Bean tries shoving straws into her mouth, hanging spoons on her face, dishwashing, etc. Eventually, they come to the idea of setting a world record by becoming the youngest paleontologists in the world to discover a dinosaur fossil in the backyard. Things don't go as expected, however, all fun and thrill are all around. Kids can enjoy the interactions between the kids in the book and they can know there is always someone, like Bean's dad, who worries but cares so provides needs and attention. The language in the book is fun and accessible. You might find Bean is quite a braggy girl about the dinosaur though, understandable if at the same age. The illustrations are aided for the characters of the story. Overall, I think this is a great series for the early reader, grade 1 to 3, both boys and girls because of the subject and readability. This book can be introduced as a mentor text to encourage kids to explore as scientists and inspire them to have great dreams.
July 6, 2019
I’m in love with the whole “Ivy + Bean” chapter book series by Annie Barrows. While every book in the series deals with various topics, two of the books are science-centered: “Break the Fossil Record” (book 3) and “What’s the Big Idea?” (book 7).
The main character of the series, Bean, is a restless, quirky second-grader who likes doing things in her own way. Ivy, a quiet bookworm with weird ideas, is a seeming opposite of Bean, but she understands her best friend better than anybody else.
In the book “Break the Fossil Record”, Bean is bored to death during a reading class until the teacher gives her an Amazing Book of World Records. Since then Bean can’t think of anything but breaking a world record herself. She tries to stuff her mouth with over two hundred straws, wash dishes quicker than anyone, and even break a glass animal with her loudest scream. But nothing works until Ivy proposes to follow in the footsteps of Mary Anning, the famous paleontologist, and look for dinosaur fossils in Bean’s backyard. Fueled by the admiration for the great scientist, the two girls start their race to the title of the youngest paleontologists in the world.
I really liked Ivy’s fascination with the work of Mary Anning and her deep interest in paleontology. Ivy’s bravery in front of the big group of kids and grown-ups at the end of the story is admirable too.
This great book with funny black & white illustrations will be a delight for all kids, and especially those who love digging around in search for the unknown.
The main character of the series, Bean, is a restless, quirky second-grader who likes doing things in her own way. Ivy, a quiet bookworm with weird ideas, is a seeming opposite of Bean, but she understands her best friend better than anybody else.
In the book “Break the Fossil Record”, Bean is bored to death during a reading class until the teacher gives her an Amazing Book of World Records. Since then Bean can’t think of anything but breaking a world record herself. She tries to stuff her mouth with over two hundred straws, wash dishes quicker than anyone, and even break a glass animal with her loudest scream. But nothing works until Ivy proposes to follow in the footsteps of Mary Anning, the famous paleontologist, and look for dinosaur fossils in Bean’s backyard. Fueled by the admiration for the great scientist, the two girls start their race to the title of the youngest paleontologists in the world.
I really liked Ivy’s fascination with the work of Mary Anning and her deep interest in paleontology. Ivy’s bravery in front of the big group of kids and grown-ups at the end of the story is admirable too.
This great book with funny black & white illustrations will be a delight for all kids, and especially those who love digging around in search for the unknown.
November 13, 2019
Bean's favorite teacher, Miss Aruba-Tate, gives her a book all about record holders, and you can bet that Bean won't stop until she's found a record she can set herself. After a few failed attempts, Ivy and Bean decide they'll be the world's youngest paleontologists. How hard can it be to find dinosaur bones? There should be plenty in their own back yards, and the girls won't stop until they find them.
Review questions for this book are available in the Nothing But Kids Books store on TpT!
TpT | Pinterest | Similar Titles | Series Review
Review questions for this book are available in the Nothing But Kids Books store on TpT!
TpT | Pinterest | Similar Titles | Series Review
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