Frances and Thelma are friends -- most of the time Thelma always seems to get Frances into trouble. When she tricks Frances into buying her tea set, it's the last straw. Can Frances show her that it's better to lose a bargain than lose a friend?
A Bargain for Frances: (I Can Read Book Series: Level 2) ANNOTATION Young readers familiar with the little badger can read this story without the help of an adult. Frances's friend Thelma tricks Frances into buying her plastic tea set, instead of the pretty china one that Frances has been saving for - and no backsies. Frances comes up with a clever scheme to hold her end of the bargain and still get the tea set she wants. FROM THE PUBLISHER In 1957, Harper published its first I Can Read title, Little Bear, written by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Large type, simple vocabulary, chapter-like divisions, and decorative pictures made Little Bear perfect for emerging readers¿¿¿they could read the story comfortably and not feel overwhelmed by the text. Following suit came such classics as Peggy Parish's Amelia Bedelia series, Lillian Hoban's books about Arthur the monkey, and Syd Hoff's popular Danny and the Dinosaur. Many books in this series are special in the depth of emotion evoked - Little Bear, the Frog and Toad books by Arnold Lobel, and Daniel¿¿¿s Duck by Clyde Bulla, to name a few - and all are enjoyed by children of all ages. Grade 1 - Grade 3.
SYNOPSIS Young readers familiar with the little badger can read this story without the help of an adult. Frances's friend Thelma tricks Frances into buying her plastic tea set, instead of the pretty china one that Frances has been saving for - and no backsies. Frances comes up with a clever scheme to hold her end of the bargain and still get the tea set she wants.
FROM THE CRITICS Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot
Frances is off to play with her friend Thelma, but before she leaves her mother warns her to remember that Thelma can be very tricky. Gullible Frances usually gets the short end of the stick. Thelma has a tea set and Frances remarks that she is saving up for a real china one with blue flowers. Thelma convinces her that they are not made any more and that plastic is just as good. Frances who really wants a tea set buys the one Thelma has. She then learns that she has been tricked when Thelma goes and buys the real china, one that Frances had wanted. For once Frances puts on her thinking cap and comes up with a plan to get the tea set she wants and to also maintain a good friendship with Thelma. There are multiple lessons in this story; and one that is really important is the true meaning of friendship—friends don't take advantage of each other. The story is still solid after nearly 35 years and kids will enjoy it and others in the "An I Can Read Book" series. This one is a Level 2 book for kids who are reading but may need some help. 2003 (orig. 1970), HarperCollins, Ages 5 to 8.
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