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Franny B. Kranny, There's a Bird in Your Hair!
Franny B. Kranny loved her long frizzy hair. The longer and frizzier it got, the more she liked it!
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
About the author
Harriet Lerner
70 books995 followersDr. Harriet Lerner, Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology, City University of New York; M.A. Educational Psychology, Columbia University Teachers College), was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the second of two daughters. Her parents, Archie and Rose Goldhor, were both children of Russian-Jewish immigrant parents. They were high school graduates who wanted their daughters to "be someone" at a time when women were only supposed to "find someone."
"Achievement was next to Godliness for my sister, Susan, and me." Harriet notes. "My father would talk about ‘My daughters the doctors’ while we were still in our strollers."
Growing up, Harriet and Susan spent weekends at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the Brooklyn Public Library and the Brooklyn Museum. "These places were free and just a subway token away."
Lerner's mother had an unwavering belief in her daughters and strong principles about how to raise children. In Harriet's words:
"Even during the hardest economic times my mother, Rose, made sure that Susan and I had four things that she believed were essential to our later success:
1. Good shoes (I don't mean stylish)
2. A firm, quality mattress
3. A top pediatrician (none other than Doctor Benjamin Spock);
4. A therapist
Unlike other parents of the day who considered therapy to be a last resort of the mentally ill, my mother thought it was a learning experience. She put me in therapy before I was three, after obtaining a health insurance policy that provided weekly therapy sessions for one dollar. I later joked that my mother would send me to a therapist if I came home from school with anything less than a B plus. I was exaggerating, but only a little bit. "
Her mother's belief in therapy undoubtedly contributed to Lerner's career choice. She decided to become a clinical psychologist before finishing kindergarten - a decision she never veered from.
EDUCATION AND CAREER
Lerner attended local public schools in Brooklyn including Midwood High School. She did her undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she majored in psychology and Indian studies. She spent her junior year studying and doing research in Delhi, India. Lerner received an M.A. in educational psychology from Teachers' College of Columbia University and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the City University of New York. It was there that she met and later married Steve Lerner, also a clinical psychologist.
Harriet and Steve did a pre-doctoral internship at Mt. Zion Hospital in San Francisco and moved to Topeka, Kansas in 1972 for a two-year postdoctoral training program at the Menninger Foundation, where they subsequently joined the staff.
"We always planned to move back to Berkeley or New York,” says Lerner. “But two years in Topeka turned into two decades - and then some.” She now identifies herself as a Kansan and claims to have overcome her coastal arrogance. She has grown to love the simple life (meaning she has never had to learn to parallel park) and the big open skies. After Menninger closed shop in Topeka and moved to Houston, Lerner and her husband moved to Lawrence, Kansas where they currently have a private practice. They have two sons, Matt and Ben.
Lerner is best known for her scholarly work on the psychology of women and family relationships, and for her many best-selling books. Feminism and family systems theory continue to inform her writing. She has dedicated her writing life to translating complex theory into accessible and useful prose, and has become one of our nation's most trusted and respected relationship experts.
Lerner's books have been published in more than thirty-five foreign editions. Her latest book (January 2012) is Marriage Rules: A Manual for the Married and the Coupled Up.
HONORS AND AWARDS (PARTIAL LISTING)
New York Distinguished Honor, National Anger Management Association
Kansas Distinguished Award for Literature
William Allen
"Achievement was next to Godliness for my sister, Susan, and me." Harriet notes. "My father would talk about ‘My daughters the doctors’ while we were still in our strollers."
Growing up, Harriet and Susan spent weekends at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the Brooklyn Public Library and the Brooklyn Museum. "These places were free and just a subway token away."
Lerner's mother had an unwavering belief in her daughters and strong principles about how to raise children. In Harriet's words:
"Even during the hardest economic times my mother, Rose, made sure that Susan and I had four things that she believed were essential to our later success:
1. Good shoes (I don't mean stylish)
2. A firm, quality mattress
3. A top pediatrician (none other than Doctor Benjamin Spock);
4. A therapist
Unlike other parents of the day who considered therapy to be a last resort of the mentally ill, my mother thought it was a learning experience. She put me in therapy before I was three, after obtaining a health insurance policy that provided weekly therapy sessions for one dollar. I later joked that my mother would send me to a therapist if I came home from school with anything less than a B plus. I was exaggerating, but only a little bit. "
Her mother's belief in therapy undoubtedly contributed to Lerner's career choice. She decided to become a clinical psychologist before finishing kindergarten - a decision she never veered from.
EDUCATION AND CAREER
Lerner attended local public schools in Brooklyn including Midwood High School. She did her undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she majored in psychology and Indian studies. She spent her junior year studying and doing research in Delhi, India. Lerner received an M.A. in educational psychology from Teachers' College of Columbia University and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the City University of New York. It was there that she met and later married Steve Lerner, also a clinical psychologist.
Harriet and Steve did a pre-doctoral internship at Mt. Zion Hospital in San Francisco and moved to Topeka, Kansas in 1972 for a two-year postdoctoral training program at the Menninger Foundation, where they subsequently joined the staff.
"We always planned to move back to Berkeley or New York,” says Lerner. “But two years in Topeka turned into two decades - and then some.” She now identifies herself as a Kansan and claims to have overcome her coastal arrogance. She has grown to love the simple life (meaning she has never had to learn to parallel park) and the big open skies. After Menninger closed shop in Topeka and moved to Houston, Lerner and her husband moved to Lawrence, Kansas where they currently have a private practice. They have two sons, Matt and Ben.
Lerner is best known for her scholarly work on the psychology of women and family relationships, and for her many best-selling books. Feminism and family systems theory continue to inform her writing. She has dedicated her writing life to translating complex theory into accessible and useful prose, and has become one of our nation's most trusted and respected relationship experts.
Lerner's books have been published in more than thirty-five foreign editions. Her latest book (January 2012) is Marriage Rules: A Manual for the Married and the Coupled Up.
HONORS AND AWARDS (PARTIAL LISTING)
New York Distinguished Honor, National Anger Management Association
Kansas Distinguished Award for Literature
William Allen
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 27, 2012
I loved, loved, loved this book. As a girl with frizzy hair who, unlike Franny, didn’t like her hair, but who like Franny, wanted to keep her hair long, I would have gotten so much from this story had I read it when at its targeted age group.
The story is so funny and sweet. It’s so outlandish even the youngest child will realize its fantasy elements. After all, while parents might let a child do what they want with their hair, they are not going to allow a bird to live on their child’s head. It’s whimsical most of the way through.
The illustrations are outstanding, and they do a wonderful job of elaborating on the story in the text. I particularly enjoyed the depictions of the dogs that appear. I also like the diversity of people at Franny’s family reunion.
This is a wonderful book both for kids who feel insecure about themselves and those who not only feel secure, but also are happy to march to the beat of a different drum.
The story is so funny and sweet. It’s so outlandish even the youngest child will realize its fantasy elements. After all, while parents might let a child do what they want with their hair, they are not going to allow a bird to live on their child’s head. It’s whimsical most of the way through.
The illustrations are outstanding, and they do a wonderful job of elaborating on the story in the text. I particularly enjoyed the depictions of the dogs that appear. I also like the diversity of people at Franny’s family reunion.
This is a wonderful book both for kids who feel insecure about themselves and those who not only feel secure, but also are happy to march to the beat of a different drum.
March 1, 2019
Franny B. Kranny has long, curly, frizzy red hair. Her hair would tie itself into knots, and even get stuck in the refrigerators door., but Franny B. loved her hair more than anything Her mother and father often hinted at getting her hair cut as short has her sister Berthas, but Franny B Kranny said no. One day before a family reunion Franny’s parents made Franny B Kranny and her sister go to the hairdresser. Franny, unhappy with getting her hair done, opened her eyes to see all of her hair piled onto the top of her head. While walking home a surprise guest landed on the top of Franny’s pile of hair, a bird. The bird stayed in Franny’s hair all night all throughout the family reunion and she was so proud to show her family. At the end of the story, Franny finally decides what she wants to do with her hair. The theme of this book would be individuality and confidence. This books really shows kids to be themselves and if they love their hair, love their hair and be proud and confident of it. I love this story because it has a good message with a funny story. The illustrations are so fun to look at and the story is easy to follow along with. I recommend this book because children would enjoy the silliness of a bird living in a girl’s hair and could guide discussions of confidence.
March 4, 2019
Franny B. Kranny has long, curly, frizzy, wild red hair that seems to get in the way for everyone but her. Her mom tells her she needs to get it cut or redone before their family gathering. When she goes to the barber, he puts it in a huge bun, where a bird flies in and makes a nest. Franny decides to keep it up so the bird can have a home. She gets a lot of attention from her family at the reunion, but in the end decides to do something to make her, the bird and everyone else happy.
I think the theme of this book is self love or not caring what others think. Franny embraced her hair, but when she realized there was a better cause she decided to make a decision despite everyone else's opinion.
I liked this book because I think the drawings were appealing, not even to just girls but gender neutral. I also think the message of making decisions for yourself was very easily portrayed, also a little bit of generosity.
I would recommend this book because of the theme and because it has drawings that are appealing to everyone. It is such a good book for children if they are struggling with embracing something.
I think the theme of this book is self love or not caring what others think. Franny embraced her hair, but when she realized there was a better cause she decided to make a decision despite everyone else's opinion.
I liked this book because I think the drawings were appealing, not even to just girls but gender neutral. I also think the message of making decisions for yourself was very easily portrayed, also a little bit of generosity.
I would recommend this book because of the theme and because it has drawings that are appealing to everyone. It is such a good book for children if they are struggling with embracing something.
November 17, 2017
Franny B. Kranny, There's a Bird in Your Hair! is a story about a little girl named Franny who has long, frizzy, bright red hair. Her parents and sister insist that she should cut her hair or change it for the upcoming family reunion. Franny loves her hair and refuses to change it. The hairdresser puts her hair in a tan bun on the top of her head. As they are walking outside, a bird swoops down and lands in it. The bird makes a home and travels with Franny wherever she goes. At the family reunion she is extremely popular and interesting to the members. At the end of the story, Franny decides to cut her hair so the bird can use it as her nest.
The theme of this story is family time and self independence.
I enjoyed this book because it was a story about a confident little girl who loved herself and her features even if her hair was a hassle.
I recommend this book because it is important for little girls to read this and feel comfortable in their own skin.
The theme of this story is family time and self independence.
I enjoyed this book because it was a story about a confident little girl who loved herself and her features even if her hair was a hassle.
I recommend this book because it is important for little girls to read this and feel comfortable in their own skin.
April 15, 2019
This book follows a young redheaded girl named Franny. Franny had long frizzy hair and loved it being long. But Franny always wanted her long frizzy hair down, but it got stuck in doors and all kinds of things. Her mother hinted at cutting it off, but Franny did not want to do it. So, they put it up into a bun. One day a bird mistakes her hair for a nest and makes itself right at home. Franny loves the bird and their bond. Franny knew it was time to let the bird go and decided to get a hair cut. The hair that was cut off went to the bird to make a nest in the tree. This is a great book for young children because it has an underlying message about hair and how it can get messy and in the way. This is also just a funny read with lots of humor because what person would allow a bird to live in their hair?
February 15, 2022
This book involves a girl named Franny Kranny with her frizzy curly hair. This reminds me of how my hair is a defining feature to me. The girl is helpful to birdy giving it a home. And eventually, she cuts off her hair because the bird told her to. I like this book all because of the message of listening to others because they can give a clear view as to the best way to help make decisions.
February 15, 2022
Really enjoyed this book particularly for young girls, seeing as a bunch of my friends who had curly hair when they were younger hated it and wanted straight hair to be represented by someone who truly loves her crazy curls.
January 27, 2019
One of my daughter's favorite books.
October 19, 2019
I liked the attitude of Franny B. Kranny, but I thought the illustrations were horrible.
February 17, 2022
I thought this book was cool because I feel like it teaches kids to love themselves the way the are and only change things about themselves if they want to not if others want them to.
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October 19, 2016The class would think this book was hilarious. Might be a good book to do an activity with
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October 4, 2016Franny B. Kranny was very different from her family in many ways. One of the many ways she stood out was from her bright red, frizzy hair. While coming back from the salon with her mother and sister, a curious little bird made his home on Franny B. Kranny’s hair. While everyone freaked out Franny loved it. She protected that bird with all she had. After realizing it was time for the bird to go, Franny went back to the salon and got a hair cut giving her leftover hair to the bird to make a nest out of it. My response to the book is that I love it. It has a funny sense of humor that will keep kids entertained. I will definitely have this book in my classroom. It might be a little too advanced for Kindergarten, but I think they would enjoy it if I read it to them.
January 29, 2016
I read this book as a child years ago and it still resonates with me today! I never had frizzy, red, uncontrollable hair like Franny B. Kranny, but I always wanted to be in control of my own hairstyle as a child, so I could immediately relate with the main character (except for her bird encounter)! The illustrations in this book have a style of their own that I've never seen in other picture books. The storyline is both realistic in the character personalities and their interactions, yet whimsical in the end result of the story! This is a great book to read to young ones that have quite an independent attitude.
September 26, 2012
I loved this book!!! The little girl was so confident and loved her wild hair even when others did not. She made her own decisions and was loved for it. Everyone wanted her to cut her hair in the beginning and she said no. At the end, everyone was glad she didn't cut her hair because she was famous for it. That same day, she went and cut it because she wanted to! This book shows that you should be happy with yourself despite what others think. Franny B. Kranny had wild hair, but she loved every inch of it.
March 27, 2008
This was given to my daughter as a gift for her fifth birthday. Although we are biased about redheads, we instantly fell in love with Franny B. Almost five years later - she is still reading it and loving every word. A great read for girls, encouraging confidence and independence! I highly recommend this - boys like it too, as I have read this to several kindergarten and first grade mixed classes.
November 19, 2008
This is a an interesting book . Franny loves her hair how it is but when people are coming over for a party her mother wants it put up neatly. On the way home a bird flies in her hair and she does whatever it takes to get it to stay there.
Reading Level- Transitional
Curricular Uses- Read aloud and independent reading
Social issues - Relays to children that they can be whoever they want to be. It is alright to be different because sometimes that it what is special about you.
Reading Level- Transitional
Curricular Uses- Read aloud and independent reading
Social issues - Relays to children that they can be whoever they want to be. It is alright to be different because sometimes that it what is special about you.
December 16, 2008
When I saw the book come over the desk today, I thought the title was AWFUL and therefore expected the book to be, as well. Not at all! This is a funny tale of a girl with wild hair and a bird who has chosen to nest in it. I think my favorite piece was actually on the back cover, not part of the "book." Go take a look!
July 18, 2010
I have read this book nearly everyday for the past six weeks. The days that I haven't read it through once, I have read it through twice. It even came on family vacation with us. Sallie loves this book, and cried today when we returned it to the library. A cute book. It's funny what she chooses to love, but at least she loves books!
August 27, 2016
Franny wants to do the opposite of whatever others are hoping or expecting. It's a pet peeve of mine when underwear and naked illustrations are used in children's picture books. It's out of place and unnecessary, yet spread over four pages in this book.
March 16, 2008
Gotta love a redhead with frizzy hair --sounds like myself.
Imagine the stare with a bird in your hair -wow!
Imagine the stare with a bird in your hair -wow!
September 24, 2008
This is one of Kaya's favorite books. It is is well-written and funny. (It's one of mine and Richard's faves too.)
August 9, 2009
Used to be my favoriteish book
September 7, 2010
Excellent!! Get this one for the kids...!
May 7, 2012
Fun book. The 3 year old thought the pictures were funny and the 6 year old loved the story.
September 6, 2012
Little Miss and I read this while visiting her school library. It was pretty cute. Plus, it's fun to say Franny B. Kranny.
June 27, 2016
Good for grades preK-3
December 29, 2023
Many years later, and still a huge hit with little ones!
April 19, 2013
Great book about being yourself.
March 2, 2016
This book had fun and expressive illustrations. The story was interesting as well.
September 27, 2018
Ha! Does a kid's picture book count in my 52? Read this because my favorite self-help shrink harriet lerner wrote it. Great book for curly-headed girls.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews