A Baby Sister for Frances

 A Baby Sister for Frances is the second Frances book written by Russell Hoban (1964), but the first illustrated by his wife, Lillian Hoban.  Frances is obviously struggling with the fact that she is no longer the center of her parents’ attention. Frances is well known for her little songs, but no one even comments…

Bedtime for Frances

Russell Hoban wrote nearly four dozen books for children over a span of more than fifty years. Though I haven’t conducted a scientific poll, I’m going to venture that the character he created for his very first is still the most popular and well known.  Bedtime for Frances was published in 1960, and Hoban featured…

A Fly Went By

A Fly Went ByBy Mike McClintockIllustrated by Fritz Siebel A Fly Went By is another old (1958) favorite picture book in the “I Can Read It All By Myself” series.  I loved reading it all by myself when I was learning to read. My kids loved it, and now I’m using it with my students…

Robert the Rose Horse

Robert was a happy little  horse. He lived on a farm. He lived with his mother And father. That is, until the fateful birthday party.  All of his friends come. They wait expectantly as Robert’s mother brings in the cake decorated with beautiful red roses.  Robert puts his nose right into a rose and takes…