Chris Naylor-BallesterosBesprekingen

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Saturday night family picture book read-aloud! (Book 1 of 3)

Frank and Bert's friendship is built on lies, and that's . . . okay? Because aren't most of them?

There's some counting -- all the way up to 100! -- as part of the cute game of hide-and-seek.

Frank and Bert by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros is a picture book about friendship and a love of hide-and-seek. Frank is a fox and Bert is a bear. Although they love to play together, they aren't evenly matched.

Frank always wins at hide-and-seek. He'll count to ten and then find Bert. Bert is slow and big and in the little time he has, there just aren't good places to hide.

So this time, the two decide to do something different. What if Bert is given more time? What if Frank counts to one hundred? Surely then Bert can win? Right?

Maybe, if he hadn't had a spot of bad luck. So now the question is, what will Frank do to keep the game fun for Bert? That's ultimately the lesson here. How does a friend help another friend have fun if they are unevenly skilled at a favorite game?

Clever story that kids will SEE and UNDERSTAND what is happening.

A fox called Frank and a Bear called Bert are best friends who love to play hide-and-seek, but Frank - the narrator - reveals that, though Bert thinks he's very good at the game, he is terrible. Frank gives Bert an extra-long time to hide, but Bert's scarf unravels as he goes. Frank is about to announce that he's found Bert, but thinks about how Bert will feel, and instead calls out that he gives up, making Bert happy. Then it's Frank's turn to hide, and while he scampers off confidently, readers notice that Bert is holding a dangling piece of yard from Frank's hat, which unravels as it goes...and Bert gives the readers a wink on the last page.

All kinds of hide-and-seek books do well in storytimes (see also: Where Is Bina Bear?), and this is a great example of kindness and friendship as well.

OH. What a sweet story. I'd argue it is the story of refugees and the skepticism others feel about the stranger. There is no way that what they say is true....the others say. So they have to prove it. They refuse to believe. But then the ending....oh I got teary eyed!!!!

A story of forgiveness, acceptance, and making new friends. I encourage this one being read!

I am really delighted by this book. Two friends are playing a game and one is just... not so good at it. What happens is a great little vignette of sportsmanship and kindness, showing that adapting a game to have fun with a friend is a better prize than 'winning' the game through superior skill. As a bonus, there is a lovely opportunity for child readers to practice counting to 100. But overall, this a great book to read with kids to shift their focus on what is the true goal of playing a game.

Frank and Bert is a story of two good friends, a fox and a bear, who love to play hide-and-seek. The problem is—Bert is just too big to hide. Frank narrates the story, sometimes talking directly to the reader. In one part, he complains that as soon as he counts to ten and turns around,

"...there he is!
or here's there, as plain as day!
Do you see what I mean?"

Finally, Frank decides to count to 100 to give Bert a better chance at hiding, but an accidental surprise foils that plan too, as Bert's scarf unravels leaving a pink trail of yarn to his hiding place. But, that's OK, Frank is a good friend and things will work out fine. In another surprise, it's Bert who will have the last laugh. Young readers will enjoy the easy-to-follow story and the opportunity to count up to 100.

The illustrations are simply drawn and colored, reminiscent of a child's artwork. Wide eyes and simple smiles convey most of the emotion, as the body shapes are simple with stick-like arms. The book is a mix of single pages and double-spreads to good effect. The font is simple and varied in size and placement on the page.

A QR code to an 8 minute audio version is included. The audio version has page turn sounds, and is enhanced with just the right amount of outdoor sound effects -—birds chirping, footsteps running, running water, etc., and upbeat music.

Overall, this is a straightforward story, but has just the right amount of surprise and humor that little readers or listeners will enjoy.

*This book was provided to me by the publisher as part of the Library Thing Early Reviewers program.½

Genre
Picture books for children
Storytime standouts
Tone
Quiet
Sweet
Illustration
Minimally colored
Theme
Being a friend
Subject
Animals
Beetles
Change
Friendship
Insects
Metamorphosis
Missing persons
Searching
Unconditional love

This very cute, funny storybook for children rewards close attention to the pictures, which get funnier the closer you look. It's a simple tale of Frank and Bert, two bike-riding friends in need of a little extra stability. Especially Bert, who is something of a disaster on wheels. Adults may find their antics chuckle-worthy as well. What I really liked was the book gets across a couple of points about helping friends out and trying to be careful, but the book keeps a pretty light touch and doesn't get overly moralistic about teaching lessons. The points are there, and they're amusingly embedded in a sweet, funny package.

A sad-looking blue creature arrives, suitcase in tow, "looking dusty, tired, sad, and frightened." Three other creatures (bird, rabbit, fox) have lots of questions, mostly about what's in his suitcase, but they don't believe his answers, and when he falls asleep, they break into his luggage, only to find out he was telling the truth...in a way. When the "strange" creature wakes up, the other animals apologize and show him what they've done: "I'm sorry I broke your suitcase. We fixed it as best we could....We hope you like it." The three of them have recreated his home as he described it, and he welcomes them in.

The conversation between the three animals as they debate what to do while the new arrival is sleeping could serve as a real conversation starter, not just about immigration, but what - if anything - people need to know about other people before they will help them.

See also: The Someone New by Jill Twiss, Teacup by Rebecca Young

The illustrations are brilliantly colored and designed while the story is simple and adaptable. The itsy bitsy reindeer wants to help Santa even though he fits in the water dish of the great big reindeer. Santa asks him to help with a few request letters, and he finds his place!
Very well done and rather enjoyable for any age.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Tundra Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Abre los brazos... Un álbum ilustrado sobre la amistad, el valor que supone ser diferente y la valentía de los que son capaces de acceptar y cuidar a los demás.

Cuando un día un extranjero llega, con solo una maleta, todo el mundo empieza a hacerse preguntas. ¿Por qué está aquí? ¿De dónde viene? ¿Y qué lleva en la maleta?

Una historia poderosa, llena de ternura y humanidad, que tocará el corazón de padres e hijos.

Funny, an Anteater wants variety in his ant menu and makes up many ways to eat them. In the end are some nice punchlines. Creative illustrations.