Frankie by Mary Sullivan

Our guest blogger today is Susan Kusel, a librarian, children's book buyer and selector at an independent bookstore, and the owner of a children's book consulting company. She has served on the Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award committee, the Cybils Easy Readers and Early Chapter Book Awards committee, the 2015 Caldecott Medal selection committee, and she is currently the chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award committee. She blogs at Wizards Wireless. 

I adored this book. It was fun, delightful and Frankie is just plain lovable.

The repetition was the star of the show. Done just right and not too heavy handed, it set up a wonderful pattern to follow and predict. The one exception was the phrase ”No Way”, instead of “No.” I was also intrigued that each dog had their own word bubble shape, to make it easier to figure out which dog said what.

The book is a combination of a picture book and a graphic novel. The panels are arranged well and easy to follow. I did have a concern with the font, which almost looks like handwriting, and is challenging for an early reader.

I will admit, though, to being surprised at my son’s reaction. He’s the beginning reader I ask to read all the books I review for this blog, to see what words or concepts trip him up. This time, I was taken off guard as he got quieter and quieter as the book progressed. He felt that Nico was bullying Frankie, and he got extremely sad as Nico took away each item. He was very happy and relieved to find out the two dogs were able to share at the end.

What I thought what a light hearted and silly book brought out real emotions in him.

Overall, I thought it was a really well done book with many strengths.

I’m curious to find out if any other Guessing Geisel readers have tried this with young readers and what their reactions have been. Please share in the comments!

Image from: http://andreaskyberg.com/mary-sullivans-studio-tour/