Those songs account for a great deal of the books’ popularity.” I considered them very beautiful.” That fascination led to his first book with Ursula Nordstrom at Harper, What Is It and What Does It Do?, which focused on these machines.ĭiscussing the success of his Frances stories, Hoban mentioned the songs that the title character frequently makes up and sings: “ Bedtime for Frances has no songs in it, but starting with the second book, they all have little songs in which Frances expresses her feelings about the current situation. “At the time, I was a freelance illustrator and in my spare time I used to travel around Connecticut looking at bulldozers, power shovels, and other equipment. “I arrived at Frances by way of earth-moving equipment,” Hoban recalled with a chuckle. Speaking by phone from his home in London, where he has lived for four decades, Hoban revealed how Frances came to be, and reflected on the success of the books in the series, which have sold more than four million copies for HarperCollins. To celebrate Frances’s 50 years in print, HarperCollins this week is issuing Frances 50th Anniversary Collection, a boxed set of paperback I Can Read! editions of Bread and Jam for Frances, Best Friends for Frances, and A Bargain for Frances. Picture book readers and their parents took an immediate shine to this feisty character, who went on to star in five subsequent stories. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.A half-century ago, Russell Hoban introduced a decidedly not sleepy young badger in Bedtime for Frances, which featured illustrations by Garth Williams. You can use them, but you don't have to use them.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. Wrapping paper and have the children wrap the prize Sing Happyīring ahead option for prize books: bring birthday What would youĭo, eat, play, etc? Then, act it out. Make a birthday card for someone special. How many people were at Gloria's birthday party?ĭecorate a birthday cake for Frances or Gloria. Was she jealous? Would you have been jealous? Why was it hard for Frances to be happy for Gloria? Nice things for them? Are you always nice? Are they

What did Frances give Gloria as a present?ĭo you have little brothers or sisters? Do you do Gloria, and Alice are - it may be confusing otherwise. What kind of presents do you like to get?ĭiscussion topics for during/after reading: What kinds of things do you do on your birthday?ĭo you have siblings/ cousins? How do you feel whenĭo you ever get mad at your siblings/ cousins? What Frances is every youngster who chafes at being the un-birthday child. Grade Level: 1st (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)Īs her little sister Gloria's birthday approaches, Frances wavers between being generous and being jealous. Volunteers needed in May! Click here to sign up.

A Birthday for Frances by Russell Hoban