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Russell Hoban
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A Bargain for Frances (I Can Read Level 2) Paperback – February 18, 2003

by Russell Hoban (Author), Lillian Hoban (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 733 ratings
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A classic I Can Read story, starring Frances, America's favorite badger.

Frances and Thelma are friends—most of the time. . .

Thelma always seems to get Frances into trouble. When she tricks Frances into buying her tea set, it's the last straw. Can Frances show her that it's better to lose a bargain than lose a friend?

This classic story is a Level Two I Can Read, geared for kids who read on their own but still need a little help. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play of Level Two books are proven to help kids take their next steps toward reading success.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Reading age
    3 - 6 years, from customers
  2. Part of series
    AN I CAN READ PICTURE BOOK
  3. Print length
    64 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    Kindergarten - 3
  6. Lexile measure
    470L
  7. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.25 x 8.5 inches
  8. Publisher
    HarperCollins
  9. Publication date
    February 18, 2003
  10. ISBN-10
    9780064440011
  11. ISBN-13
    978-0064440011
  12. See all details
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Bread and Jam for Frances (I Can Read Level 2)
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Best Friends for Frances (I Can Read Level 2)
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Frances and Thelma are friends -- most of the time

Thelma always seems to get Frances into trouble. When she tricks Frances into buying her tea set, it's the last straw. Can Frances show her that it's better to lose a bargain than lose a friend?

About the Author

Russell Hoban was the author of A Bargain for Frances, A Baby Sister for Frances, Best Friends for Frances, A Birthday for Frances, and Bread and Jam for Frances, all illustrated by Lillian Hoban. He also wrote Bedtime for Frances, illustrated by Garth Williams.



Lillian Hoban was the author and illustrator of many favorite I Can Read books, including Joe and Betsy the Dinosaur, Silly Tilly's Thanksgiving, and a series about Arthur the Chimpanzee. She also illustrated many picture books, including the classic stories about Frances.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 006444001X
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins; Revised edition (February 18, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 64 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780064440011
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0064440011
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 6 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 470L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.25 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 733 ratings

About the author

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Russell Hoban

Russell Hoban

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Russell Hoban was the author of A Bargain for Frances, A Baby Sister for Frances, Best Friends for Frances, A Birthday for Frances, and Bread and Jam for Frances, all illustrated by Lillian Hoban. He also wrote Bedtime for Frances, illustrated by Garth Williams.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
733 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story enjoyable and with a good message. They describe it as a great book for kids 4 years and up, with witty and clever characters. The book has fun colors and is well-illustrated.

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Story qualityBook enjoymentHumorColor schemeMessage
22 customers mention "Story quality"22 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story's quality. They find it fun and engaging, with a powerful message about friendship issues. The book brings back memories of first learning to read, with a great moral.

"...It has fun pretty colors, entertaining characters, and a great story with meaning...." Read more

"...I was feeling nostalgic and had to order it. Brings back so many memories of first learning to read. I can’t wait to read it to my grandchildren." Read more

"...I have also bought it for little girls in my life as well. Old fashioned but so sweet." Read more

"I love the Francis books! Russell Hoban was a witty, fabulous storyteller. I still laugh out loud after more than 10 years of reading them...." Read more

19 customers mention "Book enjoyment"19 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it enjoyable for children and a good way to teach them lessons about friendship, honesty, and redemption. The stories are cute and fun for young readers.

"...It can be fun to read for any time but also can be used to teach children about loving what they have and the importance of saving...." Read more

"...This is a great collection with a good story children can related and learn from." Read more

"The Frances books are some of the funniest and best children’s books available...." Read more

"...Anyway, it's still enjoyable, and Frances is a very clever little badger." Read more

5 customers mention "Humor"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find Frances clever and witty, and they like her songs.

"The Frances books are some of the funniest and best children’s books available...." Read more

"...Anyway, it's still enjoyable, and Frances is a very clever little badger." Read more

"I love the Francis books! Russell Hoban was a witty, fabulous storyteller. I still laugh out loud after more than 10 years of reading them...." Read more

"...All of the Frances books are clever and witty; not something traditionally found in children's books...." Read more

4 customers mention "Color scheme"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's color scheme. They find it cute and well-illustrated, with fun colors and entertaining characters.

"...It has fun pretty colors, entertaining characters, and a great story with meaning...." Read more

"Super cute! My kids really like this book." Read more

"...A fun book for you to read together. Well illustraited." Read more

"So cute..." Read more

4 customers mention "Message"4 positive0 negative

Customers like the book's message and lessons. They say it's an excellent addition to their preschooler's library and a good story.

"...She's your typical "child" funny, precocious and wise. I highly recommend the Francis books for every childs library, (and mom's as well)...." Read more

"Adorable story! Good lessons!" Read more

"I remember this book from my childhood! Excellent addition to my preschooler's library..." Read more

"Good Book, Good Message..." Read more

Excellent!
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent!
"This book was nice and I liked it. I liked how they were friends, but sometimes the promises weren't perfect." - my 6 year old daughter.As a dad reading along with her I can tell you this is one of the best beginner books I have read along with my kids!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Shanna Johnson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love this Book!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I truly enjoy this book very much and read it often as a child. I was happy to find it again as we are raising our own children now. It has fun pretty colors, entertaining characters, and a great story with meaning. It can be fun to read for any time but also can be used to teach children about loving what they have and the importance of saving. It arrived in wonderful condition. If you havent read this before, give it a try. I'm positive your children will enjoy it.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Isabella
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved by generations
    Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was my favorite Frances book when I was a kid, and now I'm reading it to my littlies, and they love it too.
    Helpful
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  • Elizabeth Erb-Ryan
    5.0 out of 5 stars So fun love this collection
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    So excited these are in the I can read version for my nieces. This is a great collection with a good story children can related and learn from.
    Helpful
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  • B
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the funniest children’s book ever!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A friend suggested, I buy this book for the kiddos in my life. She also gave me the warning that I will probably enjoy this book more than the kids… She was right. If you like to laugh, get this book.!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kimberly McCall
    5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Book
    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    What’s not to love?? This was my favorite book when I was in kindergarten/first grade many, many, many years ago, lol. I carried it around EVERYWHERE I went.

    I was feeling nostalgic and had to order it. Brings back so many memories of first learning to read. I can’t wait to read it to my grandchildren.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Chavah
    5.0 out of 5 stars Teacher recommended
    Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    All of the Frances books are great reads. I highly recommend them for reading practice and enjoyment.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Gretchen SLP
    5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable Frances Books for Kids and Adults Alike
    Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The Frances books are some of the funniest and best children’s books available. I use them for adult patients with aphasia who are recovering their reading skills, because reading aloud is so much more therapeutic and self-motivating when the story is funny. If you can get only two of the Frances books, get A Bargain for Frances and Bread and Jam for Frances. Those are my essential must-haves.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • carino
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classic must have
    Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    My mom got me this record for me when I was little and I read along with the book over and over, so much so it was almost a joke. The day I got married I bought this book for my mom and wrote inside how much I loved having her read it to me. I have also bought it for little girls in my life as well. Old fashioned but so sweet.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Kathleen Dean
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Story!
    Reviewed in Canada on August 21, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This story was a favourite with my girls, and now I’m giving a copy to my granddaughter to enjoy.
    Report
  • Rafi
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, Used copy sent by Seller uRead store
    Reviewed in India on July 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Its a good book, intelligent humor & story, good illustrations. Perfect for 4 to 8 yr olds.

    The book seemed used or slightly worn, so deducting a Star
    Customer image
    Rafi
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, Used copy sent by Seller uRead store
    Reviewed in India on July 1, 2021
    Its a good book, intelligent humor & story, good illustrations. Perfect for 4 to 8 yr olds.

    The book seemed used or slightly worn, so deducting a Star
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  • Treehugger
    5.0 out of 5 stars Frances is kind and clever!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I had this book as a child and loved it then, and I recently was delighted to find this brand new copy. Frances the little raccoon has many books written about her and it is well worth finding all of them. The stories are engaging and interesting to children as they address a child's everyday concerns. In this one, Frances and her somewhat mean and sneaky friend are swapping toys and Frances comes off worst in a tea set swap. However, she cunningly finds a way to get the better of her friend and get an even better tea set in the end. The twists and turns of the story, which is written in simple English easy for a child to read, will captivate the imagination and inspire a young reader to keep reading till the end, finishing with a sigh of satisfaction as Frances comes out victorious.
    Tell your child's teacher to chuck the boring, pointless Biff and Chip books in the bin and invest in the I Can Read series instead!
    Report
  • Jessica Chamorro
    4.0 out of 5 stars Très bon pour les petits autodidactes et pour les parents
    Reviewed in France on June 8, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Pour apprendre l'anglais il,y a rien de meilleur et le cd aide pour la phonétique . On aime beaucoup cette collection
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  • Ed Wills
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Hoban Frances story.
    Reviewed in Canada on February 25, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Again, our 5 year old granddaughter loves this story, with the twist whereby she teaches her friend the true meaning of friendship. Our granddaughter now has the entire series of these books which are well worth collecting.
    Report