Rating: 
Summary: Spanking the badger
Review: Francis was my favorite as a kid - and I love her still. I think it is sad that something as completely wonderful as a Francis book has to spark controversy - but then nowadays what doesn't? Thank God I grew up in the seventies when we were still allowed to have fun, be kids and yes, occassionally, get our little badger bottoms beat if we got cheeky.
VIVA LA FRANCIS!!!
Rating:
Summary: Adorable!
Review: I bought this book because I have a little 'Frances' of my very own (complete with own set of bedtime dramas!) I figured it would be a fun, quirky read that both my daugher and I would enjoy - and I was right! Now, admittedly, I had no idea about the "spanking" issue, and of course I was quite surprised when I came to it, but certainly not horrified -- Especially when you take into consideration how old this story is.
Besides, it's NOT told in any threatening way - pretty comical actually! I guess it all comes down to your own personal views. If you or your child are easily disturbed by any kind of reference to spankings, then don't buy this book. But I honestly believe it can be taken with a pinch of salt. Just read the story like it was supposed to be read ... with heart! And believe me, Frances' daddy is a big teddy bear that any child could love.
Rating: 
Summary: WHAT A MIND JOB!!!!
Review: I read this book to my four year old daughter this evening and was completely disgusted by the time it ended, and she was frightened and confused. In short the story is about a sweet little girl who is having trouble falling asleep because she's scared so she goes to her parents a few times in an effort to get their reassurance and attention - like all children do. Her father's response was go to bed or get a spanking. I couldn't believe the word "spanking" was actually used in the book. Needless to say poor Frances got over her fears of the dark as they were replaced by those of corporal punishment from her father. Additionally, the story was awful, tedious and insulting to the intelligence of the reader. The only good thing about the book was Garth Williams' illustrations. He's a genious but the author is a sorry example of the values embraced by much of Western culture - if you don't like what someone is doing, especially a small, defenseless child - smack 'em. Is there any wonder our country is such a mess?
Rating:
Summary: the spanking controversy
Review: I was hoping for a story that would help to paint a lovley picture of bedtime from a child's stand point. This book only succeeded in spelling out some lovely ways that children can make it exasperating for themselves and their parents.Very disappointing, given that Bread and Jam for Frances is one of our family favorites.
Rating: 
Summary: getting quite a bad rap without much cause.
Review: I'm quite suprised so many people take issue with this book. It was one that I loved as a child, and although I had the sort of fears that children often do, my parents were always really good about reminding me that the things in your room when the lights are off are the same things there when the lights are are on. Perhaps that's the reason this book never inspired the terror in me it seems to present to many reviewers' children. As for the spanking issue -- I was hardly from an abusive home, but the issue of punishment was something I was always familiar with. I hardly think the book is suggesting that Frances is going to be physically abused by her parents, so much as it's showing fed-up adults convincing their child to just get some sleep. This book might not be for the terribly young, but it's a pretty cute story about conniving for extra time before bed. I would recommend it to anyone who is up front with their children about things like 'spankings', even if they don't practice them.
Rating:
Summary: A spanking good book
Review: Okay, the title of this review is a joke. The threat of spanking, mentioned by 13 (if I counted correctly) of 31 customer reviews, is offset for the following reasons. 1) The book is a classic--a great old book that has become a multi-generational tradition in many families, including many (like mine) that do not spank their kids. 2) Children live in the real world, and excessive sheltering from it is counterproductive. 3) There are very few books that deal with nighttime fears as effectively as this one (*Where the Wild Things Are* is another). 4) It is aimed at a younger audience than the other Frances books making it a good introduction to the series. 5) Like all the Frances books, it is well written, well illustrated, and quite amusing. Note--Garth Williams illustrated this one; the others were illustrated by Lillian Hoban. 6. It has wonderfully delightful examples of a very young child's (il)logic, for example, "There is a giant in my room, may I watch television?" (or something like that--I don't have the book in front of me). I am highly amused that, for all the reviews that complain about the spanking threat, NONE of the to date complain about the smoking by Frances' father. I'm sure that MUST say something strange about Amazon's customer reviewers, but I can't figure out what!
Rating:
Summary: It is bedtime for Frances, but Frances is not sleepy . . .
Review: There are some children's books that I firmly believe are more important for parents to read than for children to hear and "Bedtime for Frances" may well be one of them. Frances is a determined young badger cub created by Russell Hoban who experiences the challenges of growing up with help from her devoted and honest parents. This book, with illustrations by Garth Williams, was originally published in 1960, which explains why there is a reference to spanking. Yes, today we look at that reference and even if we are not appalled outright we have to at least have second thoughts. But the strength of the Frances books is that there show how she becomes a critical and independent thinker, and certainly that is to be cherished. The story is about Mother and Father trying to put Frances to bed at 7, when it was her bedtime. Unfortunately, Frances, like many a human child, is not at all sleepy and keeps coming up with ways to put off going to sleep. Her imagination, and her stomach, keep getting the better of her and while her parents are the most reasonable of badgers, they do have their limit as to how many of Frances' requests they will honor. I especially like the way that Father deals with the tiger and the giant that might be in France's room. Teachers interested in using "Bedtime for Frances" in the classroom should be aware that there is an excellent study guide for the book prepared by Mary Bolte, which should help deal with the "spanking" issue. This is important because apart from that one aspect, this is a wonderful book for teaching children without them realizing they are learning anything.
Rating:
Summary: Any 5 year Old can be seen in Frances.
Review: This book just brings home how a little child's mind works and it shows that constructive limitations always do a child some good. The idea of spanking is still one that exist today and used in the right manner can work wonders. Kudos to Russell Hoban. We need more books that handle strong willed children this way. My little girl loves these books about Frances. She honestly said after we read this book , "Mommy, this sounds familiar!" We have ordered all six Frances books and the cassettes and I can't wait until Christmas to see my childs delight at forever being the owner of such wonderful books.
Rating:
Summary: Crazy talk
Review: This is a great book, and brilliantly illustrated. The others in the series (like Bread and Jam for Frances) did not use the same artist and have an inferior look. The picture of Frances and her Father brushing their fangs before bed is incredibly cute, and my children think the picture of the father half awake in bed is hilarious. The original black and white illustrations are actually better and more scary-looking. Get an older copy if you can find it.
To the more hysterical people in this forum who think their children are irreparably harmed by the spanking reference: I think what you really don't like is that the father threatens a spanking without being portrayed as some horrible monster. Aren't books supposed to be about learning? Just tell your children that back when this book was written (1960) smacking kids on the butt was a fairly common form of discipline. Tell them that you think this is wrong, although some parents today disagree. If your children are still traumatized, then you better home school them, because they will never make it through a real school.
Rating:
Summary: Give kids some credit!
Review: This is the very best bedtime story ever! Frances uses every delicious, clever ploy that pops into that fuzzy little badger head of hers to try to stay up late with the older folks. Smart and creative kids are always reluctant to go to bed for fear they may miss something and she is no different. (Taking out the spanking scene would be akin to making Oliver Twist a boy scout.) Give kids some credit for recognizing humor when they hear it. If you don't want children who have a well-rounded sense of humor and an appreciation for literature and illustration, don't buy this book. If you do, buy this book and read it aloud everynight, with feeling. It's pure poetry. Then go get the others: Bread and Jam for Frances, etc. Hoban really makes you remember what it was to be a child and he has created one I am glad to know. My kids love this book and so will my grandchildren.
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