Those of you who know me well know how much I love to read, and especially how much I love (and believe in!) reading out loud. I love reading to my third graders and some of my happiest mom moments are spent cuddled under a blanket, two little boys in my lap, in our "big blue chair" with a stack of books.
Lately we've had an unfortunate line up of (child chosen) bedtime stories: there have been several Star Wars books, an easy reader based on the Lego movie, and several non fiction books featuring things like ninjas and dingoes. Don't get me wrong I am a huge proponent of kids choosing reading material...but...I had read about Emmett of Bricksburg and ninjitsu one too many nights in a row.
I was craving a real bedtime story. Enter Frances.
Do you know Frances? If you don't you should. The Frances books were originally published in the 1960's, written by Russell Hoban and illustrated by his wife, Lillian Hoban. I remember my own mom reading them to me. At some point I was lucky enough to acquire some of the1960s copies with their green and orange hued illustrations at a used book sale. They are still available and have been republished, but alas, the illustrations have also been retinted.
My older son and I have been reading these books together for years (he used to think that Frances was actually "Princess") but my two year old has just lately achieved enough sit time in his little buns to read them with us. In my opinion, the Frances books have all of the ingredients to make a perfect bedtime story.
In no particular order:
1. A relatable main character: Well yes, Frances is a badger. But she is a badger who is terribly jealous of her little sister's birthday party. So jealous that she accidentally eats all four of the gumballs she buys as a birthday gift on the way home from the store.
She has strong opinions to which every child can relate, as illustrated in A Baby Sister for Frances:
"Well," said Frances, "things are not very good around here anymore. No clothes to wear. no raisins for the oatmeal. I think I might run away...What time will dinner be tonight?"
"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.
2. Detail in story and illustration: Whether it is Albert in Best Friends for Frances talking about doing a little "frog work" or the beautiful illustration of Frances unpacking her lunch from Bread and Jam for Frances both the words and illustrations are finely tuned and charming.
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Can you see Frances's lunch? This is one of the illustrations I remember most clearly from my childhood, from Bread and Jam for Frances
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3. (perhaps the most important in my book) There is a level of the story that can truly be enjoyed by adults: In the Frances books there is a level of "parent humor," for example:
"May I have a penny along with my nickel now that I am a big sister?" said Frances.
"Yes," said Father. "Now your allowance will be six cents a week because you are a big sister."
"Thank you," said Frances. "I know a girl who gets seventeen cents a week. She gets a nickel and two pennies."
"Well," said Father "it's time for bed now."
4. Cozy endings: Much like Max arriving home from the land of the Wild Things to find his dinner (still hot) the Frances books end with Frances and her family being safe and secure. Even when Frances runs away from home (to under the dining room table)she knows right where the people who love her are and that they will love her regardless.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the Lego movie, and am as big a fan of ninjas as the next girl (?). But I also know that these cozy moments with my two littles are fleeting and every once in awhile, mom gets to choose the bedtime story.
