Barrows, Anne. Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Record. Illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Chronicle, 2007. ISBN 9780811856836. $14.95. 124p.
Reviewer: Sandra L. Tidwell
Reading Level: Primary
Rating: Dependable
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction;
Subject: World records—Juvenile fiction; Fossils—Juvenile fiction; Friendship—Juvenile fiction; Books—Reviews;
Ivy and Bean are second graders and are the best of friends. Bean, in Book 3 of this series, is bored during reading time. Her teacher gives her the book The Amazing Book of World Records. After reading about the weird things people do to get attention, Bean decides that she will break a record, but she doesn't know which record! After a few failures, Ivy suggests they dig for dinosaur bones in Bean's backyard. Perhaps they can set a record for being the youngest paleontologists! While Bean and Ivy are engrossed in their activities, they find they have a lot of friends, and Bean's Dad is supportive of their adventures and treats Bean, Ivy, and their friends who have come to see the bones with banana bread. This is a cute story about two curious and energetic girls who are anxious to have friends and do new things. Blackall's illustrations reflect the characters' emotions very well. In addition to telling about the give and take relationship between "best friends," this book highlights a supportive role of parents in youngsters' lives. A good choice to read aloud.
Volume 28, no. 3 (Jan/Feb 2008)
