Book Review: Bread and Jam for Frances
Rating: 
Frances, a young badger girl, wishes to eat nothing but bread and jam, although the rest of her family enjoys many kinds of food. Her mother gently and lovingly teaches her the value of eating a diversity of foods by plying her with nothing but bread and jam until she is very tired of it, and by the end of the story she has learned to enjoy other foods. Young children, who often gravitate toward the same comfort foods for long periods of time, will identify with Frances’ preference for bread and jam, with which she knows she is “always pleased.” After she tires of bread and jam, her willingness to try other foods (and to savor them with the niceties of doily, flower and vase, even at her school desk) sets a good example without being at all preachy.
It is difficult to write well with the simple sentences and limited vocabulary of early-reader books, but Hoban does a wonderful job with this carefully-paced, pleasingly illustrated story. The aesthetics and rhythmic repetitions in this story make it pleasing at several levels. The best part of this story is that Frances’ parents are loving, patient, and kind, and express genuine respect and affection for one another. A very nice read.
Categories: 4 Stars, Age 04-08, Amblesideonline, Book Tree, Easy Readers, Honey For a Child's Heart, World Books That Show
Tags: Animals, Badgers, Food, Life Skills, Strong Families
Posted on July 16, 2009
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