A Baby Sister for Frances

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.

There are a lot of books out there to prepare older children for siblings, but this is one of our favorites. Frances has a new baby sister, and all of a sudden there are no more raisins for the oatmeal (Mother didn't have time to shop), and her blue dress isn't ironed (the yellow one is and Mother has a new ribbon for her hair, but Frances still declares, "Things are not very good around here anymore!") She decides to run away under the dining room table. I love the raised-voice discussion of the parents about what a wonderful and inspiring big sister Frances is and how it's just not the same without her. I've even been known to get tears in my eyes over the part where Mother Badger says, "Goodness knows I like babies. But a baby is not a family," and Father answers back, "Isn't that a fact. A family is everybody all together." Those words are what prompts Frances to come "home." It's just a sweet book but has enough of Frances's trademark sassiness and the author's usual way of relating common early childhood problems in a humorous way. I recommend all the Frances books, but especially this one if you've got a new baby in the house or on the way.

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.

Frances's life is in upheaval because of her little sister's arrival. Suddenly she is not the focus of attention and schedules are disrupted, to say the least. So she runs away, to the dining room table!I love the Frances books, they are sweet and not condescending, a must for any children's library.

I loved this book when I got my very own baby sister about 17 years ago. I highly recommend it for any parent trying to explain that little bundle they brought home from the hospital.