When a baby sister arrives, Frances the badger finds a charming way to prove her own importance.
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Book Description
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Amazon.com Review
One quiet evening, Frances the badger is sitting under the kitchen sink, singing a little song, "Here are the buckets and brushes and me, / Plinketty, plinketty, plinketty, plee." When she stops singing to listen for parental coos of approval, she hears nothing. Frances is sure it's all her new baby sister's fault. It's why she has no raisins for her cereal, and it's why her new dress isn't ready for her to wear to school. She thinks she may run away after dinner. And she does! She takes her carefully packed knapsack and settles in under the dining-room table.
As she sits sulking and eating cookies, her mother and father, fully aware of her presence, begin talking about how much they miss her, and how much they love her little songs, and how a family is everybody all together, not just a baby. Frances can't stand it anymore. She calls them from her imaginary telephone and tells them she'll be home soon. Russell Hoban and illustrator Lillian Hoban succeed again with a tender, comical, heartwarming story that will make any big brother or sister feel better about a new sibling in the house. For more adventures of this endearing, enduring badger family, don't miss Bedtime for Frances (with illustrations by Garth Williams); Bread and Jam for Frances; Best Friends for Frances; A Birthday for Frances; and A Bargain for Frances. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
"A gentle and humorous picture book for everyone, but especially families with a new baby sister or brother." -- -- School Library Journal
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Library Binding
It's a delightful kid's book. Who cares if the badger drinks from a bottle or eats chocolate sandwiches? If you're going to get technical, I didin't know badgers could talk. Really. that's the problem with America today - nobody has any fun anymore, and creativity has been stifled and replaced by accuracy.
I loved this book and the entire Frances series growing up and love them now.
I loved this book and the entire Frances series growing up and love them now.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By grerp
Format:Paperback
My son, now almost three, is finally able to listen along to books that are actually interesting. In the last couple of weeks, we have taken the next step in picture books into books that have paragraphs on each page instead of just a sentence or a word or two. And in celebration of that, I pulled out the Frances books by Russell and Lillian Hoban. These books are just a treat, full of subtle situational humor that any parent can relate to. I'm sure many people are already familiar with these books, but you might consider picking them up again if you'd like a smile.
Frances, a little badger who likes to make up her own songs, is so quintessentially child-like. She's clever and funny, but like with all children before a certain age (and what age is it? I'd like to know), it's really all about Frances. She has a little sister, Gloria, with whom she shares some natural sibling rivalry. And she has a lovely, patient, very understanding set of Badger parents, Mother and Father, who always seem to know what to say and do to support Frances but not encourage her natural, but more selfish urges.
In A Baby Sister for Frances, Gloria is just a tiny bundle. Frances's nose is clearly out of joint at all the attention newborn Gloria is getting:
"In the morning Frances got up and washed and began to dress for school.
'Is my blue dress ready for me to wear?' said Frances.
'Oh, dear,' said Mother, 'I was so busy with Gloria that I did not have time to iron it, so you'll have to wear the yellow one.' Mother buttoned Frances up the back. Then she brushed her hair and put a new ribbon in it and put her breakfast on the table.
'Why did you put sliced bananas in the oatmeal?' said Frances. 'Did you forget that I like raisins?'
'No, I did not forget,' said Mother, 'but you finished up the raisins yesterday and I have not been out shopping yet.'
'Well,' said Frances, 'things are not very good around her anymore. No clothes to wear. No raisins for the oatmeal. I think maybe I'll run away.'
'Finish your breakfast,' said Mother. 'It is almost time for the school bus.'
'What time will dinner be tonight?' said Frances.
'Half past six,' said Mother.
'Then I will have plenty of time to run away after dinner,' said Frances, and she kissed her mother good-bye and went to school."
The story goes on, Frances does run away to under the dining room table, and eventually Mother and Father have a loud conversation about how necessary Frances is to their family which, of course, Frances overhears. The whole book is just lovely - clever and funny, with some parental patterning snuck in for the adult reader to learn from. And, remarkably, no matter how many times I read these books, Frances's adventures continue to ring true and amuse. Two thumbs up from me.
Frances, a little badger who likes to make up her own songs, is so quintessentially child-like. She's clever and funny, but like with all children before a certain age (and what age is it? I'd like to know), it's really all about Frances. She has a little sister, Gloria, with whom she shares some natural sibling rivalry. And she has a lovely, patient, very understanding set of Badger parents, Mother and Father, who always seem to know what to say and do to support Frances but not encourage her natural, but more selfish urges.
In A Baby Sister for Frances, Gloria is just a tiny bundle. Frances's nose is clearly out of joint at all the attention newborn Gloria is getting:
"In the morning Frances got up and washed and began to dress for school.
'Is my blue dress ready for me to wear?' said Frances.
'Oh, dear,' said Mother, 'I was so busy with Gloria that I did not have time to iron it, so you'll have to wear the yellow one.' Mother buttoned Frances up the back. Then she brushed her hair and put a new ribbon in it and put her breakfast on the table.
'Why did you put sliced bananas in the oatmeal?' said Frances. 'Did you forget that I like raisins?'
'No, I did not forget,' said Mother, 'but you finished up the raisins yesterday and I have not been out shopping yet.'
'Well,' said Frances, 'things are not very good around her anymore. No clothes to wear. No raisins for the oatmeal. I think maybe I'll run away.'
'Finish your breakfast,' said Mother. 'It is almost time for the school bus.'
'What time will dinner be tonight?' said Frances.
'Half past six,' said Mother.
'Then I will have plenty of time to run away after dinner,' said Frances, and she kissed her mother good-bye and went to school."
The story goes on, Frances does run away to under the dining room table, and eventually Mother and Father have a loud conversation about how necessary Frances is to their family which, of course, Frances overhears. The whole book is just lovely - clever and funny, with some parental patterning snuck in for the adult reader to learn from. And, remarkably, no matter how many times I read these books, Frances's adventures continue to ring true and amuse. Two thumbs up from me.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book in the Frances series tells of Frances' trouble with having to share her parents with her new baby sister. In typical Frances style, she makes up songs about what she is doing, and complains loudly about things that she doesn't like. Her decision to run away to under the dining room table was a running joke in our family for months. Now if someone's nose gets bent out of shape we say "are you going to run away to under the dining room table?"
It handles the needs of older siblings and their feelings very nicely and is a great ice breaker to help older kids talk about how a new baby impacts their lives.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
Good book, more about learning to share parents than getting to know baby. Good for preschoolers. Reminds me of the Arthur series.
Published 3 months ago by Kaitlin T Obenauf
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this childhood favorite
It is under the tree, and I cannot wait to open it! Love this classic series and this one was so great. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Alice In Wonderland
4.0 out of 5 stars
Baby Sister for Francis
I bought this book for my 5 year old grandson who just had a baby sister. His baby sister had not been brought home from the hospital yet when I gave him the book. Read more
Published 14 months ago by cbart
5.0 out of 5 stars
Russell Hoban rocks
The Hobans tell charming stories that are as entertaining (or more so)for parents as they are for children. Wholesome and classic, Baby Sister is one of many great Frances books.
Published on October 16, 2009 by A. Langstraat
5.0 out of 5 stars
A life saver!
My granddaughter was having a very strong reaction to her new baby brother so I gave this book to her. Read more
Published on July 25, 2008 by Katherine S. Holian
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great children's story
I remember my mother reading Frances books to me when I was little, and I couldn't wait to read them to my daughter. The Frances books are wonderful children's stories.
Published on May 2, 2008 by Leigh
5.0 out of 5 stars
Here we go marching rattley bang!
When I was little, I used to love the Frances books. This is easily one of the best ones. In it, Frances has to deal with the fact that her mother and father are often too busy... Read more
Published on April 1, 2008 by R. J Metz
5.0 out of 5 stars
My daughter just got a new sister and likes this story
Frances was a favorite of mine as a child, so I bought the books for my daughter who is 2yrs old. She doesn't quite get it yet, but likes listening to it nonetheless, and I've... Read more
Published on November 29, 2007 by Orya's Mommy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nostalgic entertainment
The Francis series is a wonderful reminder of how parents "used" to parent! It's love, unsullied by the current trend to spoil our kids to death. Read more
Published on September 14, 2007 by Kristin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Frances Rocks
Who wouldn't love Frances. We still enjoy this book afer a break of 30 years.
Published on May 17, 2007 by Sandra Dilonardo
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