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114th out of 936 books
—
644 voters
Best Friends for Frances (Frances the Badger)
Frances doesn't think her younger sister Gloria can be her best friend. Besides, Albert is Frances's best friend. But when Albert has a no-girls baseball game, Franes sets out to prove to Albert a thing or two about friendship - and what girls can do. Along the way, Frances discovers that sisters can indeed be friends... maybe even best friends.
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
August 27th 1969
by HarperCollins
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I loved Frances as a child and 20 years later, I still love to read this collection
Summary: At the beginning of Best Friends for Frances, Frances and her younger sister Gloria have a rivalry. Gloria wants nothing more than to spend time and be friends with her big sister, but Frances wants to be friends with Albert. When Albert rejects Frances as his best friend because she is a girl, Frances decides that maybe Gloria wouldn't be such a bad best friend after all. By the end of the story, Frances realizes that a sister can be a best friend, and that she can have other best frie...more
A very lovely book and pretty lengthy, too. It was from an era when kids didn't need constant stimulation to hold their attention. I'm glad that Frances became friends with Gloria, as I've been trying to let my son know it's good to be friends with his younger sister. I was a little wary singing Frances's songs aloud, though, as she's kind of rude, what with calling Albert "fat" and all. Speaking of which, did Bill Cosby jack Fat Albert from Best Friends for Frances? Russell Hoban missed a good...more
Frances is friends with her sister and a boy. They have a picnic lunch together. There is a bit of "no girls allowed" so then the girls say "no boys allowed" but of course they give this all up in the end and everyone plays together.
There is a "Fat Albert" reference. This book was written 1969. I checked the internet and it said Bill Cosby put Fat Albert into his comedy, and then there was a tv show in 1969. The real cartoon did not start until 1972.
There is a "Fat Albert" reference. This book was written 1969. I checked the internet and it said Bill Cosby put Fat Albert into his comedy, and then there was a tv show in 1969. The real cartoon did not start until 1972.
This is not the most sympathetic story, with people excluding other people and only including them to get back at their OTHER friends, but it is pretty realistic to little-kid politics. Well, if you ignore the badgers, anyway.
First Frances won't play with her "baby" sister, then Albert won't play with girls, then Frances and her sister won't play with boys... oy! Luckily, everybody ends up realistically happy at the end.
First Frances won't play with her "baby" sister, then Albert won't play with girls, then Frances and her sister won't play with boys... oy! Luckily, everybody ends up realistically happy at the end.
I have four grown children and I read to all of them beginning when I got them home from the hospital. When you choose a children's book, expect to read it at least 100 times if it's really good. Kids don't get board of books they like. For this reason, it was essential that *I* liked the books enough to read them over and over. Any book by either Russell or Lillian Hoban is endlessly readable and funny.
I like the themes of making your own fun, compromising, and learning from friends. While it could be a discussion point for older kids, with my preschooler I edit the three instances where Frances name-calls her friend "fat." I'm not in a hurry to introduce her to the idea of teasing about appearances and I don't think the story loses anything from the omission.
May 18, 2010
Holly
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
realistic-fiction,
picture-books
This, along with the other Frances books, teach very straightforward lessons but in a format that is relevant to children. They are drawn to the animal characters and the relatable, easy to follow story line. The language is simple and moves quickly, and the rhymes and songs that Frances makes up are humorous and add to the message in the story.
Sadly, the Frances books have become dated and there are always some element that is out of touch w/ the times. That being said this was a sweet book. I like the Frances is a go-getter and thus a good role model for young girls: she plays sports, she's friends w/ boys, and she's not one to mope and cry if things don't go her way.
The Frances books pick up on the subtle differences between the way kids see things and adults see things and doesn't make light of them but validates the way kids feel about life. In a fun way! They are still a little old for my three year old and I find myself paraphrasing some things but my kid still loves these books!
Albert was Frances' best friend until he decides to play a no girls baseball game, so Frances allows her little sister, Gloria to be her best friend and they get sweet revenge by going on a no boys picnic. In this book, Frances really shines with her funny little songs.
A sweet story about friendship, loyalty and sibling relationships. I love how being excluded by her friend forces Frances to realize that her sister can also be a friend. I think this is a lesson many children need to learn about their siblings.
Ok, so this was a little old for my three-year-old, but I love Frances and her little sister Gloria and couldn't resist reading it anyway. A good lesson in being a good friend. Plus all the great Frances "songs"!
Frances the badger is an absolute favorite of mine. In this outing, she learns that sisters can indeed be friends, and she also practices the power of forgiveness.
A great book for adults and children alike.
A great book for adults and children alike.
This is a story about Frances, Albert, and Gloria and how it feels to be left out. Frances and Gloria solve that problem very nicely and become better friends and sisters along the way.
Frances tells her sister that she is too little to play baseball with, that it would take too long to get her up to speed. She goes over to Albert's house, but then Albert is hosting a boys-only baseball game and Frances is told she can't come. So she plans a Best Friends Outing No Boys event with her little sister. She makes a sign, packs lunches, games, and prizes in a wagon. Then Albert comes over wanting to play. A good story about friends, sisters, and not leaving people out, and Frances ad...more
I loved Frances as a kid but this was a little slow and little unrealistic to me. Though I wish the younger sibling always got it does not always work that way. Grades 2+
my favorite book of all time i still enjoy it even tho i am it was the first book i ever purchased with my allowence and i still own the book
These are really cute books. Good lessons and really cute songs to sing along to, if you have the right little "Frances voice".
I loved the Frances books growing up, and while there are occasionally parts that feel dated, I think they hold up well.
I can see this being used for so many lessons: rhyme, acceptance, growing-up. I am just scared about the whole boyfriend/girlfriend thing.
Mommy says: We like the Frances books, especially this one about being a good friend ... to your SIBLING!!!
This is a great book about what it means to be a friend and how your sister can be your best friend.
Best Friends for Frances (Trophy Picture Books (Paperback)) by Russell Hoban (1976)
Best Friends for Frances is a picture book that shows Frances and Gloria becoming best friends. At first, Frances thought Gloria was too small to play baseball but after Albert wouldn't play with her she played with Gloria. In the end, Gloria was allowed to play baseball with Frances, Albert, and Harold. The pictures in this book confirm meaning. An issue that could be raised within this book is the fact of girls playing baseball and participating in things that boys do. I would use this book fo...more
This book teaches that sisters can be best friends.
I liked this one because it shows siblings as friends.
This is one of my favorit books to read to Taylor.
I used to love Frances books when I was a kid.
"It would ruin my day to have to explain it."
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What a wonderful story for youngsters..
All of the Francis books are so great..
Oct 06, 2008 12:58pm