Fran's Friend [Hardcover]

Lisa Bruce (Author), Rosalind Beardshaw (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

One day, Fran refuses to play with her doggie best friend, Fred. She is very busy making something and Fred can't figure out why she is behaving so strangely. Why doesn't Fran want to play? It turns out Fran is making a special present for Fred and is trying to keep it a secret. By the end of the day, Fran has finally finished the secret surprise and shares it with Fred, who is delighted that their friendship is stronger than ever.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Fred's best friend and owner is too preoccupied with making "something special" to play with him. But how could cutting paper and painting even compare to chasing leaves and playing ball? The pup just doesn't understand until Fran presents him with a handmade card that says, "To the best friend in the whole wide world." This simple story rings true, and the brief text offers enough mystery to challenge toddlers, while the illustrations give sufficient clues to the child's goal for kids to be one step ahead of Fred. Beardshaw's paintings capture Fran's busy-beaver work and comically display the dog's every emotion through his ears. The thick strokes of bright color give this perfect storytime book a cheerful glow.
Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. It's a warm summer day and Fran's friend Fred (a friendly and enthusiastic dog) wants to play. Fran, meanwhile, is working on some sort of craft project, as she clomps about the house in her enormous slippers. Fred tries to help out, but although he seems much smarter than the average dog, he keeps retrieving the wrong thing (newspaper instead of construction paper, a hairbrush instead of a paintbrush). Finally, he gives up in despair only to discover that Fran has made a card for him, letting him know that he's her best friend. Beardshaw's energetic, brightly colored paintings, big and bold, do much to enliven this simple story. Their unusual perspectives (overhead, from the side, and close-up) add fun and make this a winner that will be great for small-group sharing. Todd Morning
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (February 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582347778
• ISBN-13: 978-1582347776
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,573,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming, April 29, 2004

By 

Erika Mitchell (E. Calais, VT USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fran's Friend (Hardcover)

Fred, Fran's dog wants Fran to go out and play with him, but Fran says she wants to make a card for a friend instead. Fred does his best to help, but he can't help feeling a little jealous about this special friend who is going to receive the card. But in the end, it's clear who Fran's best friend is, and Fran and Fred go out to play together. The book is not scary at all, and it's an easy bedtime read with about 240 words.