Classic Frances!

This is my daughter's favorite Frances book. It has some great Frances moments, such as the "spelling" of various words, the "riding" of her broom, Champ, and Frances's and Albert's discourse of the uselessness of younger sisters. It also captures with such truth the complicated feelings siblings have for one another, such as the moment where Frances announces that she is not getting her sister Gloria a birthday present and then dissolves into tears because she is the only one not getting Gloria a present. As always, Mother and Father Badger are gentle and wise in their handling of their imaginative and precocious offspring. It is no surprise that children have been continuously reading these books since they were published. As an aside, the portrayal of the simple, homemade birthday party is very refreshing in these days of elaborate, over-the-top children's parties.

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Excellent ! !

This story brings back wonderful memories of when my mom read the Frances books to me. It's a great story with wonderful illustrations. If you've never read this story, you and your child will surely love it and if you have read it, it is sure to bring back fond memories.

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Party On, Frances!

I adore all the Frances books, but I think this might be my favorite. My three-year-old daughter has no doubts -- the birthday theme, the entrancing details of Gloria's party (little baskets of jellybeans and chocolate-covered peanuts; it is to swoon!), the tantalizing Chomp-O Bar -- she can't get enough of this book. It also conveys a gentle message about sibling rivalry, but it's not heavy-handed and will delight any child, singleton or otherwise. No children's author remembered childhood joys and miseries more keenly than Hoban, and Frances is instantly recognizable as a very real little girl. I do wish someone more musical than I would supply me with tunes for Frances' little songs!

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