Fuse 8 n’ Kate: A Birthday for Frances by Russell Hoban, ill. Lillian Hoban
Dear lord. If I thought I was about to give Kate a lovely birthday present with today’s recording then I was SORELY disabused of that notion from the start. I never expected Frances to fall into Kate’s obliterating list of “brats”, but them’s the breaks in this, one of our more contentious episodes. Listen in as we tackle our second Frances book (after Bread and Jam for Frances). Along the way we discuss Chompo Bar theme songs, party favors for 2-year-olds, and why Mother might have a grudge against innocent little party guest, Ida.
Listen to the whole show here on Soundcloud or download it through iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, PlayerFM, Audible, Amazon Music, or your preferred method of podcast selection.
Show Notes:
If you’re curious about the interview I conducted with Russell Hoban in 2010, you can read the encapsulation of the talk here. It holds up.
Frances was turned into a show called Frances on Sprout, produced by the Jim Henson Company. So it really was adapted at some point. If any of you ever saw it, let us know how it was!
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If you go to the Rabbit Hole, you can see different scenes from the Frances books placed in these small glass bubbles. And yes. They did serve Chompo bars as well. Maybe they still do!
Mom reminds me of all of us during COVID, trying to find the kids something to do. Placecards for a small child’s birthday party? WHY NOT???
I may have some issues with Kate’s take on this book, but I do agree that the illustrations are a bit inconsistent on who gets to wear clothes, why, and how that relates to gender. So should any of you be in need of a thesis topic…
Due to the strained smile on Mother’s face here, we have to assume that whoever Ida is, Mother is not a fan. Oh goody, she thinks. Ida. Wonderful. Just what I needed today.
Step back, Ida. Mother has had a rough day and now she has a sharp implement in her hand.
Kate Recommends: Michelle Obama’s podcast with her brother, IMO
Betsy Recommends: Long car rides where I finished the first draft on a middle grade novel
Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate
About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Kirkus, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on BlueSky at: @fuse8.bsky.social
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I just listened to your podcast on A Birthday for Frances. Yes, I agree it’s really a birthday for Gloria, but that would mess with the series’ title pattern of “(something that begins with B) for Frances,” so I forgive them for that. I also agree that the inconsistency of attire for the badgers in the world the Hobans have created is odd! But I side with Betsy on her rating, as I think this book is a classic. Frances is a bit of a brat, but she’s relatable as a character in a story about jealousy. I think young readers see her flaws and appreciate how she learns something in the end. I want to note that Betsy mentioned there are five Frances books (Bedtime, Baby Sister, Bread & Jam, Birthday, Best Friends), but she is missing one – A Bargain for Frances. Looking at how Gloria ages throughout the series, it seems like Best Friends and Bargain are the last installments, and it’s in these two that Frances seems to have grown emotionally as well. In both, another character in the book plays the “brat” role, and it’s Frances who teaches them the lesson. Perhaps Kate would like Frances more in those two books in the series. And I kind of lied, because there is a 7th book, but it’s not narrative fiction. It’s a song collection called Egg Thoughts and Other Frances Songs. Very Frances-like!
Oo. This is some hot Frances knowledge you’re dropping here. Thank you! I’ll be sure to read this on the podcast next time we record!
I don’t know how I missed this episode (I’m going to blame August “teacher brain”). No matter the ratings, this is one of my all time favorite books. Several lines from this book are part of my family’s regular vernacular, now. It’s rare that anyone’s birthday goes by without one of us saying, “That is how it is, Alice. Your birthday is always the one that is not now.”
I was very much a Frances growing up, and I believe my mom has always seen herself in Frances’ mother, patient and wise and often a little frustrated with a creative but headstrong child. (I often begin phone calls or conversations with my mom with, “Ring, ring. I am calling you on the telephone.”)
I usually read this to my prek students every year on my birthday, as a present to all of us, and it is very difficult not to laugh when Frances’ father asks if there is something in her mouth and Frances says, “I think maybe it is gumballs, but I don’t know how they got there.” (Another sentence often heard in the Zdrojewski house.)
You do realize that I’m reading ALL of this on our next recording.
Lord, I love family phrases that come from picture books.