Clemency Pearce

Frangoline is a sweet little girl by day, but don't be fooled. When night arrives, Frangoline makes her escape through the window and sets out on dark adventures. While the worried moon watches, Frangoline explores dark and twisted paths. Through the creepy wood and into the churchyard she goes. Nothing can stop her until she goes just a step too far. With nowhere else to hide, a frightened Frangoline turns to the moon for help. It's time for this little girl to sleep snugly in her bed. Sweet dreams Frangoline...until tomorrow night.

The Bottom Line: Many kids will identify with Frangoline, a good little girl who enjoys being just a tiny bit naughty every once in a while. Children will love Elliott's illustrations full of dark colors and just the right amount of creepiness. The rhyming verses make this a great pick for storytime at school or the library. It's perfect seasonal fun for kids in grades 1 - 3.

This review also appears at the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog.… (meer)

You can guess the three little words from the get go. (You got it : the words are "I love you.") Told in Hallmark type verse, paints scenarios that make the three words winning words for the little animal who falls down during a race, sharing words for the little guy that feels left out, mighty words for the rabbit scared by monsters. Lively, colorful art does rescue the hackneyed and predictable slim story line. The book is nonetheless one that children may come to love just because the parent or grandparent sharing it with them will love reading it just to create a loving bond.… (meer)

Recommended

Frangoline is a cute, little red-head who is a good girl during the day. Then when it’s bedtime, Frangoline does not want to go to bed. She becomes naughty and will “do exactly as I please!”. The moon is worried about her, but Frangoline says she will be fine. During her nighttime antics she disrupts, the owls, nighttime creatures (skunks, bears, rats, etc) and Frangoline is not afraid of any of them. Then as she gets to the cemetery, she wakes up the ghouls and then truly becomes scared. Frangoline knows she has gone too far. She is truly sorry and promises to go to bed and be good “at least until tomorrow night.”

While this story seems to be about bedtime - preschoolers and parents will be able to relate. It had a decidedly gothic vibe to it and will be a perfect book for October. It is not necessarily a Halloween book, but it does have ghosts, ghouls, pumpkins and bats. The moon is a full moon and the colors lean heavily towards purple, black and dark blue. Frangoline stands out on all the pages because she has bright red hair. One review said the font was distracting, but I think it reflects a crazy, scary nighttime mood. Having read it, I think it’s cute and it fits the gothic mood. Frangoline is a little bit naughty, but she is a brave girl.

I would put this book on a Fall or Halloween display for preschool – 1st grade students. I don’t think emerging readers would be able to read all the words, but it would make for a good read aloud – either from parents or teachers. After story time crafts could include making paper moons, pumpkins, bats or Frangoline herself (as she wears a cape and has bright red hair). It also sets a bedtime mood. There is an AR quiz for those students who want to take one. It would also be a good book to illustrate the concept of fiction for those students having their first book genre lessons.… (meer)