Franny B. Kranny, There's a Bird in Your Hair! [Paperback]

Harriet Lerner (Author), Susan Goldhor (Author), Helen Oxenbury (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Franny B. Kranny loved her long frizzy hair.

The longer and frizzier it got, the more she liked it!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Franny B. Kranny marches to the beat of a different hairdresser. When her family encourages her to cut her long, frizzy, troublemaking red hair, she refuses outright. She loves her hair. And when, before the big family reunion, a hairdresser tries to tame her mop, piling it in a heap on top of her head, Franny seethes and schemes. But then something funny happens on the way home. A bird lands in Franny's hair, and she decides the fancy new hairdo isn't so bad after all. The snuggled-down bird presents some technical difficulties: getting into bed and taking a bath, for example. But when Franny turns out to be the hit of the family party, and her formerly disapproving parents and sister change their tune, this individualist does an about-face yet again!

Authors (and sisters) Harriet Lerner and Susan Goldhor previously teamed up on What's So Terrible About Swallowing an Apple Seed?. In their latest endeavor, they create an appealing heroine and a thoroughly delightful, funny story that will have young readers everywhere daring to be different. World-renowned, award-winning illustrator Helen Oxenbury depicts with great humor the fiercely independent redhead, her mother (who has her own bizarre 'do), her prissy, sleek-haired sis, and the rest of the Kranny clan. (Ages 4 to 7) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Lerner and Goldhor, the sisters behind What's So Terrible About Swallowing an Apple Seed? reunite for a well-trod tale of a girl who marches to her own drummer. Joining a rash of recent picture books about unruly hair, this volume also features a heroine who likes her locks. Despite occasional inconveniences (getting caught in refrigerator doors, making her schoolmates sneeze, etc.), "Franny B. Kranny loved her long, frizzy hair," and resolutely resists attempts to cut it. However, when she's carted off to be coiffed for a family reunion, the hairdresser piles her carrot-colored curls atop her head and, on the way home, a bird takes up residence there ("You look like a birdbrain!" says her sister). Naturally, contrary Franny insists on letting her feathered guest stay and, bracingly self-confident as ever, swans into the party, where she's soon basking in attention including that of a news crew. Oxenbury's humorous, cartoonish illustrations nail every detail, from the flashy Mrs. Kranny's perfect manicure to the contrast between free-spirited Franny and her goody-two-shoes sister. Ages 4-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (May 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060517859
• ISBN-13: 978-0060517854
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #684,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dare to be Different, July 17, 2001

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Franny B. Kranny, There's a Bird in Your Hair! (Hardcover)

Franny B Kranny loved her long red frizzy hair even if it was always getting stuck in things and causing trouble. So when her mother drags her to the hairdresser before a family reunion, she isn't happy. The hairdresser does his best to pin it up and make it look neat, while Franny schemes to undo his work as soon as she's out of the chair. But as she leaves the salon, a bird lands on her head, snuggles down in her hair and calls it home. Her family is appalled, but Franny is thrilled and very careful not to disturb the bird even sleeping upright in a chair. The next day at the reunion, Franny's family is so embarrassed they keep their distance. But the rest of her relatives are fascinated and Franny soon becomes the center of attention. Pretty soon, her family comes around and agrees that she has the most wonderful head of hair and should never cut it. And that's when Franny surprises everyone..... The dynamic team of Harriet Lerner and Susan Goldhor have written a marvelous story about an individual who dares to be different and really knows her own mind. Their charming, witty text is complemented by Helen Oxenbury's bright, expressive and humorous illustrations that really captures the essence of strong willed Franny and the rest of her unusual family. Both children and adults will be laughing out loud at the antics of this wonderful little girl. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Franny B Kranny, There's a Bird in your Hair is a treasure and a book kids want to read again and again.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful girl, great hair, April 19, 2003

By 

Patty Demant (fortuna, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Franny B. Kranny, There's a Bird in Your Hair! (Hardcover)

this is a favorite with my class of 3-5 year olds. They like the idea of a bird making a nest in Franny's hair and I like the relatioinships between family members, the independent attitude of Franny and the choices she makes. Please consider adding this to your library and reading it often. It is a gem.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Frannie is canny, May 20, 2001

By 

Louisa L Kennedy (Mt. Desert, ME USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Franny B. Kranny, There's a Bird in Your Hair! (Hardcover)

All young readers as well as their elders will be mesmerized by this cheerful book about a friendly little girl who is a member of a happy family but who not only has her own views on things but is quite capable of handling the unexpected. She can turn difficulties into triumphs - a tall order for almost anybody of any age. The pictures are hilarious. Franny will become a classic! Get to know her!!!