When I was a child, I adored this book. Like Frances and her addiction to bread and jam, I was addicted to this book. The book is one not only of gentle entertainment, but also teaches the reader about trying new things and exploring differences. Years later, my mother gave the book to me as a lark but I admit I've read it over a few times (and no, I don't have children to use as an excuse!). ( )

Frances only wants to eat bread and jam but then changes her mind about eating other foods as she gets sick of eating bread and jam all of the time. Frances is a wonderful character, a cute animal in the illustrations but with an issue i think a lot of children can relate to; not wanting to try new foods. Her mother is understanding, letting Frances do what she wants knowing she'll get sick of jam and bread eventually. Frances sings little catchy rhymes about her food and what she's excited about, they are pretty cute and I imagine kids would love them. ( )

I never realized how much this book shaped my feelings about food when I was little! I remember really identifying with Frances when her Mom didn't serve her any spaghetti and meatballs - I might have even cried! It was about so much more than just being a fussy eater - it was about being recognized and having choices! The psychological complexity of the story is astounding! I'm sort of kidding . . . but not really. ;)

My favorite part is the extravagant lunches Frances and her friend Albert bring with them to school - and there's almost a fetish going on with the loving descriptions of salt shakers and puddings and custards and the concept of "making it all come out even"!

I have so much love for this book and the whole Frances series. ( )

Frances loves bread and jam so much that she refuses to try any other food. Even her baby sister, Gloria, will try poached eggs for breakfast and veal cutlet for dinner, but Frances thinks they are slimy and soft. She wants bread and jam instead. At school, she even trades her lunch for a bread and jam sandwich. When her parents beg her to try something new, she insists that she only likes bread and jam because she knows what she will get every time. So, her mother decides to indulge her, and she begins to give her bread and jam for every meal of the day, not even offering her the food she has cooked for the rest of the family. Eventually, Frances tires of the bread and jam and secretly hopes that she could have a gourmet lunch like her friend Albert does. At dinner one night, she breaks down and cries, asking her mother to give her a chance to like some new food. Her mother is delighted, and the next day, Frances brings a fancy lunch to school to show off to Albert. She is content with her decision to branch out with her food choices.

Age appropriateness: primary
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Media: pen and ink

This is a great example of modern fantasy because the main characters are animals and they take on human characteristics; they talk, eat, go to school, and do all kinds of things that we do on a regular basis. ( )