I read this book primarily because it's mentioned in The Penderwicks at Point Mouette. Batty is reading it or refers to it in the book. I'd heard abouI read this book primarily because it's mentioned in The Penderwicks at Point Mouette. Batty is reading it or refers to it in the book. I'd heard about it before, of course, but I thought that if it's popular enough to get mentioned in another novel, then I better read it.
I liked Ivy and Bean OK. I actually really really liked Ivy (I could identify with her more) and her dream of becoming a witch (Harry Potter anyone?), though I didn't warm up to spirited Bean quite as much as I did to Clementine. My biggest problem was probably with the illustrations. While I love the cover, there were quite a few times when I thought the illustrations - especially the eyes - were a little....disturbing? Anyway, they didn't really take away that much from the story, and sometimes they were really fantastic. I especially liked how on illustrations traces the girls' path as they make their way from Ivy's back yard through all the other neighborhood yards over to Bean's backyard. I could imagine kids really grabbing onto that illustration....more
I loved Clementine! I feel that Pennypacker (awesome name for a children's author, btw) walks the perfect line between presenting Clementine as that tI loved Clementine! I feel that Pennypacker (awesome name for a children's author, btw) walks the perfect line between presenting Clementine as that trouble-making and sigh-enducing kid and as completely adorable. She's just trying to help most of the time! The many scenes where she's sitting in front of the principal's desk and the principal's reactions are just priceless. I love how we follow Clementine's thought process until she blurts out something completely unrelated to the topic of conversation. I also love Clementine's parents. They seem so supportive of their different and spirited daughter. And the illustrations are totally fantastic. Frezee (sp?) really captures Clementine's spirit, and I completely love her signature hair. As I was reading this, I was thinking that it would make a wonderful read-aloud. What fun you would have doing Clementine's excited and exasperated voices!...more
A great little story for boys, with some pretty gross-out scenes and images. I like how Super Fly Guy could talk, but only in "buzz" sounds.A great little story for boys, with some pretty gross-out scenes and images. I like how Super Fly Guy could talk, but only in "buzz" sounds....more
A cute story, but I wasn't a fan of the illustrations. Mr. and Mrs. Watson kind of freaked me out. I loved the Lincoln Sisters, though. Eugenia remindA cute story, but I wasn't a fan of the illustrations. Mr. and Mrs. Watson kind of freaked me out. I loved the Lincoln Sisters, though. Eugenia reminded me of the general in "The Araboolies" : "I'll call out the army!"...more
