This Frances book helps children figure out the confusing ritual of gift-giving. Children are innately selfish (and it's SO not their fault) and have a difficult time understanding why we adults would have them pick out a shiny new toy or a delicious candy bar only to wrap it up and GIVE it away to someone else! And so, through Frances's discovery, we get to see how giving can be fun too. This is a great book to give as an un-birthday gift (you know, the gift you give to the other sibling so they don't feel left out). ( )

A great early reader book with a good message. When Frances gets jealous of her sister's birthdya party she starts to act out, then feel bad, and finally to understand that it is ok for her baby sister to have a birthday too. All of her actions are very realistic and would be recognizable to a child reading the book. This is a great book for teaching kids how to deal with their feelings.

Frances is jealous of her sister Gloria's birthday party that is coming up. Frances makes comments about how unfair it is that Gloria is getting so much attention. She said she wanted to buy her sister a birthday present but, after she bought it she wanted it for herself. It is not until Frances hears Gloria's birthday wish for forgiveness (for hiding Frances' sand pail and shovel last year) that she decides to give Gloria her gift.
This is a great about siblings and families. This is a level 3 grade read. ( )

A sweet Frances story about her coming to terms with being generous on her sister's birthday. Frances is sort of unabashedly selfish, as I think most kids are, and it's hard for her to give up her allowance to buy her sister a present. Then she almost demands part of the present for herself! But she overcomes her more venal nature and her generous spirit triumphs. Cute. ( )

This book shows Frances with a lot of imagination in making up songs or putting new words to existing songs. Also shows her being selfish but overcoming that to forgive as well as be generous to her sister.