Purpose of this Blog...

You may have noticed that not all books are equal in capturing children's imaginations and in cultivating those innocent, tender souls. My goal is to help you find the ones that do!
(Painting by Mary Cassatt: "Mrs Cassatt Reading to her Grandchildren" -1888)




Thursday, November 18, 2010

Happy Birthday, Dear Frances

Yesterday marked the 50th birthday for Russell Hoban's little badger, Frances. Carol Baicker-McKee, an author/illustrator that I've written about, wrote a special tribute to Frances that you can read from her blog, DOODLES AND NOODLES, here.

Carol Baicker-McKee has lent her fun 3-dimensional art photographs to several children's books, one of which I have on my Christmas Book List. It's MERRY CHRISTMAS, CHEEPS!, by Julie Steigemeyer. I love Carol's style. Click here to see her other books and read my past blog post.
Merry Christmas, Cheeps!

Frances was in the broom closet, singing:
Happy Thursday to you,
Happy Thursday to you,
Happy Thursday, dear Alice,
Happy Thursday to you.
"Who is Alice?" asked Mother.
"Alice is somebody that nobody can see," said Frances. "And that is why she does not have a birthday. So I am singing Happy Birthday to her."
"Today is Friday," said Mother.
"It is Thursday for Alice," said Frances...
"I am sure Alice will have cake and candy on her birthday," said Mother.
"But Alice does not have a birthday," said Frances.
"Yes, she does," said Mother. "Even if nobody can see her, Alice has one birthday every year, and so do you. Your birthday is two months from now. Then you will be the birthday girl. But tomorrow is Gloria's birthday, and she will be the birthday girl."
"That's how it is, Alice," said Frances. "Your birthday is always the one that is not now."
From A BIRTHDAY FOR FRANCES, by Russell Hoban, with charcoal illustrations by his wife Lillian Hoban
Posted by at
Labels: , , ,

4 comments:

  1. Carol Baicker-McKeeThursday, November 18, 2010

    Wendy,
    Thank you so much for helping to get the word out about Frances and for your kind thoughts about my books; I'm honored indeed, and so pleased to have made your outstanding Christmas book list. I'm making my way through your past posts - what a treasure trove of delights for me! - and I've added you to my list of blogs I read.

    ReplyDelete
  2. WendyLady@GoodBooksThursday, November 18, 2010

    Thank you for your kind words! I'm so bummed I didn't know about your new book when I did my apple post - I'll have to feature it for Thanksgiving! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousThursday, November 18, 2010

    I love Francis~ I have a very old vinyl record with Carol Channing reading Francis books. Nothing like it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Carol Baicker-McKeeThursday, November 18, 2010

    Hi Wendy,
    I'd be delighted for you to link to my St. Nicholas post.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)