A Birthday for Frances
This bright and endearing tale about
Frances, the lovable little badger was a favorite read during my childhood, as
well as for my son. Sweet little Frances is struggling with the fact that her
little sister Gloria is having a birthday. Frances does not say it out loud,
but rather through her actions and her little rhymes that we quickly discover that
she is unhappy about it. In Frances’
eyes, her sister seems to have all the birthdays and she doesn't have as many. Hoban
manages to simply yet brilliantly convey a gentle message about sibling
rivalry, maintaining a level-headed balance of not being too entirely
heavy-handed. From a personal
perspective, while re-discovering A Birthday for Frances, this time as a grown
up mom, I also found that the portrayal of the simple, homemade birthday party
was simply refreshing in these days of elaborate, over-the-top children's birthday
parties and celebrations. There are lessons to be learned and shared with your
little ones while reading Hoban’s classic tale, and moms and dads will greatly
appreciate the good morals to the story.
A Birthday for Frances
Written by Russell Hoban & Illustrated by Lillian Hoban
$16.99 (Hardcover)
For ages: 4 to 8
ISBN: 9780060837952
Publisher: Harper
Collins
