alfajirikali's review against another edition
3.0
I don't recall enjoying this series when I was young and was not looking forward to reading it, but it was on a suggested reading list so we took a look. Although Athena didn't seem to enjoy it so much, I thought it had some very funny elements. To me it captured features of a precocious 3 year old in an uncanny way.
idgey's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sean67's review against another edition
3.0
The fourth book in the Frances series.
I am still not sure why she is a badger because there seems to be a total; arbitrary choice, I do like the fact that Frances is sometimes a bit of a prat and sometimes a good kid, and she sings to herself and makes ridiculous statements.
'She is in other words a three dimensional character, unlike say how kids are written in the James Patterson books, where they are layered in treacle.
Anyway I digress another solid read from Hoban which should entertain the young g ones, it is a short book in terms of pages, but each page is quite wordy, I wonder if it would work better being twice as long in pages with less words on each page.
I am still not sure why she is a badger because there seems to be a total; arbitrary choice, I do like the fact that Frances is sometimes a bit of a prat and sometimes a good kid, and she sings to herself and makes ridiculous statements.
'She is in other words a three dimensional character, unlike say how kids are written in the James Patterson books, where they are layered in treacle.
Anyway I digress another solid read from Hoban which should entertain the young g ones, it is a short book in terms of pages, but each page is quite wordy, I wonder if it would work better being twice as long in pages with less words on each page.
narflet's review against another edition
4.0
Special books from my childhood. Picked up to read again when at my parents one weekend.
twicebaked's review against another edition
3.0
This is probably my least favorite but I always enjoy them, so I can't give it less than three stars because it is funny when she says "Me and Alice are going to have q-p-m and c-r-n" and her mom says "What's q-p-m and c-r-n?" and she replies, "Cake and ice cream, I thought you could spell."
I do like how, at the beginning, she's grumpy because she's not the center of attention and isn't getting the stuff she wants - and then at the end she realizes my turn will come...and little sisters really are good for more than crying. It's sweet. :)
(but...not more than 3 stars sweet.)
I do like how, at the beginning, she's grumpy because she's not the center of attention and isn't getting the stuff she wants - and then at the end she realizes my turn will come...and little sisters really are good for more than crying. It's sweet. :)
(but...not more than 3 stars sweet.)
jeremychiasson's review against another edition
4.0
Frances is at her best here, whether she's singing her passive aggressive birthday songs, or squeezing that chompo bar! Scholars still debate today, how those gumballs got in her mouth.
emily_britton's review against another edition
4.0
Frances is super cute and true to life (badger-hood aside), although the text is slightly long for a four year old.
reader44ever's review against another edition
2.0
1.5 stars
While I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book, the story wasn't the greatest and I don't particularly want my young nieces to read this one. Much of this reason relates to the primary character: Frances the Badger. There were a number of things I didn't care for in this story:
I did not like how Frances used random letters to spell words, and I especially did not like that her mother did not correct her or help her understand how to properly spell those words. I did not like that her mother was so blasé about Frances' jealousies surrounding Gloria's birthday; I think the mother should have talked with Frances about her feelings. I also didn't like that Frances ate the four gumballs she bought for Gloria with the money her mother advanced her from her allowance, and again she wasn't corrected by her parents for doing so. And lastly, I didn't like the final illustration or the story's ending. In the illustration, Frances's expression doesn't look happy for her sister, instead she seems to be wearing an expression of longing for the Chompo Bar. And I had hoped that Gloria would at least offer to share the Chompo Bar with her sister and friends before eating it all in front of them right then and there. I was raised better, and I hope children nowadays are, too.
About the only way I can see this story being acceptable for young children is if it is a read-aloud book with a parent or another older friend/relative who can point out the problems I've mentioned above and explain proper behaviors. But for children reading alone, as I did when I was young (I started reading early and loved it), this is not a good book, in my opinion.
While I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book, the story wasn't the greatest and I don't particularly want my young nieces to read this one. Much of this reason relates to the primary character: Frances the Badger. There were a number of things I didn't care for in this story:
I did not like how Frances used random letters to spell words, and I especially did not like that her mother did not correct her or help her understand how to properly spell those words. I did not like that her mother was so blasé about Frances' jealousies surrounding Gloria's birthday; I think the mother should have talked with Frances about her feelings. I also didn't like that Frances ate the four gumballs she bought for Gloria with the money her mother advanced her from her allowance, and again she wasn't corrected by her parents for doing so. And lastly, I didn't like the final illustration or the story's ending. In the illustration, Frances's expression doesn't look happy for her sister, instead she seems to be wearing an expression of longing for the Chompo Bar. And I had hoped that Gloria would at least offer to share the Chompo Bar with her sister and friends before eating it all in front of them right then and there. I was raised better, and I hope children nowadays are, too.
About the only way I can see this story being acceptable for young children is if it is a read-aloud book with a parent or another older friend/relative who can point out the problems I've mentioned above and explain proper behaviors. But for children reading alone, as I did when I was young (I started reading early and loved it), this is not a good book, in my opinion.
satyridae's review
5.0
I love Frances. I love when kids come to my house and clamor for more Frances books. I love still having a few in reserve. I love reading them to people. I love reading them to myself. I am barmy for Frances.
But this Frances book has the best line in maybe the whole series, and one I quote on approximately 364 days each year: "That is how it is, Alice," said Frances. "Your birthday is always the one that is not now."
And usually when I quote it, I give your Chompo bar a little exploratory squeeze and wonder if maybe you aren't too little for a WHOLE Chompo bar of your own.
But this Frances book has the best line in maybe the whole series, and one I quote on approximately 364 days each year: "That is how it is, Alice," said Frances. "Your birthday is always the one that is not now."
And usually when I quote it, I give your Chompo bar a little exploratory squeeze and wonder if maybe you aren't too little for a WHOLE Chompo bar of your own.
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