sean67's review against another edition
4.0
Thelma tricks Frances in quite a mean fashion, but Frances uses her wisdom and turns it all around without being spiteful in this book with a very satisfying ending - it is better to be friends than. being careful is a great refrain.
One of the better books in the series.
One of the better books in the series.
twicebaked's review against another edition
5.0
I love those books when the little kids aren't tricked and can actually think for themselves and make smart moves. I love Frances because she's not a stupid little girl who is duped by her friend's tricking her into buying the tea set she doesn't want with the money that she's been saving to buy the tea set she does want. I love the way she gets back the real deal and shows her friend that "being friends is better". I also love her songs, of course. ;)
Backsies once, backsies twice, being careful isn't nice. Being friends is better.
katieckb's review against another edition
4.0
A sweet story and book for children. I appreciate that the story had an underlying moral theme to it about not trying to cheat your friends.
o_pixel's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jeremychiasson's review against another edition
5.0
This was an intricately plotted story of greed and mind games. Plus, badgers playing with tea sets are adorable!
"Being careful is not as much fun as being friends," said Frances. "Do you want to be careful, or do you want to be friends?"
I could see a movie villain delivering those lines to someone he was blackmailing. Well done, Frances!
"Being careful is not as much fun as being friends," said Frances. "Do you want to be careful, or do you want to be friends?"
I could see a movie villain delivering those lines to someone he was blackmailing. Well done, Frances!
lavina_l's review against another edition
5.0
I think this was the first time I got angry at characters in a book. That Thelma was a jerk.
val_firefly's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
nnecatrix's review
2.0
Book #55 for 2015
PopSugar Challenge Criterion Met: A book that came out the year you were born.
I remember having a book in this series when I was a kid -- A Birthday for Frances, perhaps? I had a record of it as well, and Mom would play the record while I followed along in the book. I remember not understanding the point of that story, and I feel pretty underwhelmed by this one as well.
Frances is going to a tea party at her so-called friend Thelma's house, and Frances's mother reminds her that Thelma is one to "be careful" with. But does Frances use her brain at all? No, she lets Thelma bully her into the "bargain" tea set deal. Then, after Frances discovers the betrayal, she cooks up her own scheme to get Thelma to make things right.
The moral of the story -- whether it's better to be careful or be friends -- seems like it's a good message if you don't think about it too much. But actually, it's kind of awful. Thelma is never taken to task for her bullying ways and has no impetus to change her behavior, and Frances gets to feel smug for repaying mean-girl tactics with more of the same. And doesn't our society already do a pretty good job of drumming the "turnabout's fair play" message into our psyches our whole lives long?
So, yeah, not a fan of this series. This one gets two stars because I like the illustrations.
PopSugar Challenge Criterion Met: A book that came out the year you were born.
I remember having a book in this series when I was a kid -- A Birthday for Frances, perhaps? I had a record of it as well, and Mom would play the record while I followed along in the book. I remember not understanding the point of that story, and I feel pretty underwhelmed by this one as well.
Frances is going to a tea party at her so-called friend Thelma's house, and Frances's mother reminds her that Thelma is one to "be careful" with. But does Frances use her brain at all? No, she lets Thelma bully her into the "bargain" tea set deal. Then, after Frances discovers the betrayal, she cooks up her own scheme to get Thelma to make things right.
The moral of the story -- whether it's better to be careful or be friends -- seems like it's a good message if you don't think about it too much. But actually, it's kind of awful. Thelma is never taken to task for her bullying ways and has no impetus to change her behavior, and Frances gets to feel smug for repaying mean-girl tactics with more of the same. And doesn't our society already do a pretty good job of drumming the "turnabout's fair play" message into our psyches our whole lives long?
So, yeah, not a fan of this series. This one gets two stars because I like the illustrations.
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