Ivy and Bean has received acclaim and several awards, and it has provoked criticism from parents, who believe that the girls are detrimental influences on young children. On Common Sense Media, the reviews are mostly negative, as they argue that the titular girls encourage transgressive behavior. The girls consider "nice" a pejorative, and Bean constantly calls her sister unflattering names. She also steals money from Nancy’s purse. Ivy pursues witchcraft, which the parents see as odious. They also believe Ivy is preoccupied with death, as Ivy mentions the need for a dead frog and her plan to bury a mummified Barbie in a pyramid. The disapproving parents don’t view Ivy and Bean as healthy and productive models for young readers. They’d rather their children read books featuring young characters with overtly praiseworthy traits.

The young adult literature professor, Jennifer M. Miskec, applauds the novel for deviating from “generic ‘good girl’ qualities” and not imposing “a barometer for ‘good’ or ‘bad’” (Miskec, Jennifer M. “Meet Ivy and Bean, Queerly the Anti-American Girls.” Children’s Literature Association Quarterly, 2009, 159-60). Miskec appreciates Ivy and Bean for not subscribing to confining identities. The girls are empowered and confident.