“Your birthday is always the one that is not now.”
Content Qualities Overview
| Author: Russell Hoban |
| Illustrator: Lillian Hoban |
| Type: Picture Book |
| I Can Read! Level 2: High-Interest stories for developing readers |
| Interest Age Range: 4 – 9 |
| Optimal for Grades: PreK – 3 |
| Guided Reading Level: K |
| Questionable Content: (e.g. Profanity, Violence, Sex, Drugs) Not Present |
| Scariness: 0 |
Key:
- 0 = virtually none
- 1 = very mild, some parts may be slightly frightening to the youngest readers
- 2 = some parts are frightening or distrubring to younger readers
- 3 maybe it’s time to hide under the covers with a flashlight, the most sensitive children may want to avoid this one
Summary
(What is this book about?)
The world’s most beloved young rhyming badger is back for another heartwarming tale of growing up and discovering the glory of sisterly love. This time Frances is all out of sorts. It’s her little sister Gloria’s birthday and she doesn’t know quite how to feel about it. On the one paw, she is consumed with envious resentment over the fuss being made for someone so little (who is not her) But on the other paw, she doesn’t want to be the only one not getting her a present. After a morning of grousing around the house as she fails to participate in the family’s party preparations, Frances finally decides to buy candy for Gloria to give to her the next day. Her father takes her to the store that evening and two advance allowances leave her with four bubble gum balls and a delicious Chompo bar. All the way home from the store, she can’t help but contemplate how delightful that candy would be in her own mouth and wonder why Gloria should get it when she’s practically a baby anyway. Temptation partially overcomes her as she paws over that much coveted Chompo bar while chewing away at something. Could it be the bubble gum that was supposed to be Gloria’s? Eventually, her father notices her internal struggle and offers to take custody of the Chompo bar until Frances is ready to present it to her sister.
The next day when friends arrive for the party, Frances is still seriously contemplating keeping the Chompo bar for herself. Frances and her friend Albert bemoan the disappointing fact of life that is having to spend one’s allowance on little sister’s birthdays and the general uselessness of them as a species. They come to the conclusion that that not many little sisters deserve something as special as a Chompo bar. Frances even goes so far as to sing “Happy Chompo to me.” Instead of the real words while the others are singing to Gloria. But then she sweetly announces her birthday wish aloud after blowing out the candles, that Frances would be nice to her again, After that, Frances is shamed by her selfishness and immediately relinquishes her hold on that troublesome Chompo bar, even promising to get Gloria four gum balls to replace the ones she ate. She sings “Happy Birthday” to her little sister (for real this time) and declines Gloria’s generous offer to share the Chompo bar, because after all, it was Gloria’s turn to be the birthday girl.
Note to Parents
(Why is this a good read for my child?)
Russell Hoban’s Frances books are all uniquely charming in their own way, emphasizing the bond between sisters, development of personal integrity, solving problems with cleverness, and resolving conflicts in a way that strengthens friendships. Kids can easily relate to the everyday growing up problems Frances encounters and cheer her on as she sings her way to overcoming them.
A Birthday for Frances highlights the themes of overcoming selfishness, sisterly love, and forgiveness. It’s the perfect title for youngsters everywhere learning to become aware of others and recognize they have feelings too; for sisters, big and little, growing together through challenges and triumphs, to discover the surpassing worth of lifelong friendship they have in each another.
According to scholastic,
“Frances is every youngster who chafes at being the un-birthday child. As her little sister Gloria’s birthday approaches, Frances wavers between being generous and being jealous. Frances wrestles with temptation when she buys her sister candy for her birthday and then thinks about keeping it for herself.” Scholastic
In the end, Frances discovers to her chagrin, that her little sister Gloria is much more of a friend than she gave her credit for.
Dedication: To my little sister and lifelong best friend, Hannah.
Grab your copy today in paperback, hardcover, or audio formats at Amazon.com