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Being Frank
“Honesty is the best policy.” That's Frank's motto.
But Frank's overly frank comments tend to annoy his friends and teachers. Not even his own mother is all that fond of Frank's “tell all” attitude.
So Frank turns to his grandpa for help. “Everyone is mad at me for being frank. I'm not sure honesty is the best policy anymore.”
“That used to happen to me, too,” said Grandpa Ernest.
A few outrageous hats, a spicy jar of relish, and some grandfatherly wisdom help Frank realize that truth is best served with more sugar and less pepper.
But Frank's overly frank comments tend to annoy his friends and teachers. Not even his own mother is all that fond of Frank's “tell all” attitude.
So Frank turns to his grandpa for help. “Everyone is mad at me for being frank. I'm not sure honesty is the best policy anymore.”
“That used to happen to me, too,” said Grandpa Ernest.
A few outrageous hats, a spicy jar of relish, and some grandfatherly wisdom help Frank realize that truth is best served with more sugar and less pepper.
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First published September 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
November 28, 2023
3.75 stars. Just because we think something doesn't mean we need to say it. This is a wonderful story about how you to tell the truth tactfully instead of bluntly.
June 12, 2015
(3rd book of text set)
1. Opening: Have you ever heard of the saying, “Honesty is the best policy.”? What do you think it means? Is it always good to be completely honest about what you think of people? Could you see problems with telling someone exactly what you are thinking?
Did you know that there is another saying..”Honesty is the best policy, but it’s best served with sugar.” What do you think this could mean?
Today, we are going to read the book “Being Frank” by Donna Earnhardt. I want you to think about whether honesty is the best policy. I also want you to think about the main character, Frank and how he shares his opinions with his friends and family. Pay close attention to the illustrations as I read this book aloud. Look at the facial expressions of the people that Frank talks to. I wonder what they think about Frank and his honesty! We will talk about your opinions of Franks “honesty” at the end of the story.
2. Opening Moves: Raise interest in a topic or theme. Raise questions to spark curiosity. Foreshadow the problem of the story. Prompt listeners to notice details (especially in the illustrations.
3. Rationale: My first two selections dealt with being happy with who you are and accepting yourself. With my next two selections, I want to transition students from thinking about accepting others. I think this book looks at how we view others and how we share our true feelings about others. It helps children (and adults) to be careful how words are used and to have compassion with our words so as to not hurt feelings. I also like that this book does this in a fun way while still teaching students about acceptance.
1. Opening: Have you ever heard of the saying, “Honesty is the best policy.”? What do you think it means? Is it always good to be completely honest about what you think of people? Could you see problems with telling someone exactly what you are thinking?
Did you know that there is another saying..”Honesty is the best policy, but it’s best served with sugar.” What do you think this could mean?
Today, we are going to read the book “Being Frank” by Donna Earnhardt. I want you to think about whether honesty is the best policy. I also want you to think about the main character, Frank and how he shares his opinions with his friends and family. Pay close attention to the illustrations as I read this book aloud. Look at the facial expressions of the people that Frank talks to. I wonder what they think about Frank and his honesty! We will talk about your opinions of Franks “honesty” at the end of the story.
2. Opening Moves: Raise interest in a topic or theme. Raise questions to spark curiosity. Foreshadow the problem of the story. Prompt listeners to notice details (especially in the illustrations.
3. Rationale: My first two selections dealt with being happy with who you are and accepting yourself. With my next two selections, I want to transition students from thinking about accepting others. I think this book looks at how we view others and how we share our true feelings about others. It helps children (and adults) to be careful how words are used and to have compassion with our words so as to not hurt feelings. I also like that this book does this in a fun way while still teaching students about acceptance.
Read
October 1, 2015Summary: In Being Frank, Frank really knows how to tell people the truth, just not always in the right way. After making a few mistakes of saying things he probably shouldn’t. Frank has a life lesson talk with his Grandpa about the right and wrong way to tell the truth to people. Great story for teaching honesty to students.
Activity: This book is for Kindergarten and up. When having a lesson on honesty this is a great story to include. Talk with the kids about all the different things Frank tells people and ask them if they think its something he should have said or if they can think of a better way to say it. Also have the kids turn to another kid around them and tell the student one thing the other student likes about them. This is a great activity for the kids to be able to talk and making sure they know how to notice all the good things about other kids.
Earnhardt, D., & Castellani, A. (2012). Being Frank. Brooklyn, NY: Flashlight Press.
Activity: This book is for Kindergarten and up. When having a lesson on honesty this is a great story to include. Talk with the kids about all the different things Frank tells people and ask them if they think its something he should have said or if they can think of a better way to say it. Also have the kids turn to another kid around them and tell the student one thing the other student likes about them. This is a great activity for the kids to be able to talk and making sure they know how to notice all the good things about other kids.
Earnhardt, D., & Castellani, A. (2012). Being Frank. Brooklyn, NY: Flashlight Press.
June 20, 2015
"Did you know that the word Frank can be more than just a name? Does anyone know what it means to be 'frank' with someone? [Students respond] To be frank means to be honest, perhaps even to a fault, as the person that is being frank does not hold anything back. Does anyone see how a problem could arise from that? [Students respond] Sometimes being frank with someone can hurt their feelings. Let's see how Frank deals with being frank in this book."
The first opening move that I used was piquing students' interest by asking a couple questions. After this, I clarified the meaning of a key word in the story that children may not already know. The last thing I did was lay the groundwork for the story so that the students would understand the theme of the book.
The first opening move that I used was piquing students' interest by asking a couple questions. After this, I clarified the meaning of a key word in the story that children may not already know. The last thing I did was lay the groundwork for the story so that the students would understand the theme of the book.
Read
May 11, 2017A great recipe (book) for giving honest responses.
- Monty K.
- Monty K.
August 27, 2023
I just loved it! We (students and I ) watched on the YouTube channel for Sag Awards reading. Very cute and important.
August 23, 2014
Booklist (November 15, 2012 (Online))
Grades K-2. Meet Frank. He is frank. And being frank, Frank likes to frankly tell everyone exactly what he thinks. “Your freckles remind me of the Big Dipper.” “Your singing is kind of shrieky.” When that gets him sent home from school, he displays the same frankness to his mother: “You wouldn’t get so many wrinkles if you didn’t glare at me like that.” Pretty soon Frank is lonely enough to alphabetize his bug collection. Enter Grandpa Ernest, who has mastered the ability to be earnest—it’s sort of like being frank, but nicer. When encountered with a ridiculous hat topped with flowers, Grandpa compliments the flower in the middle. “I talked about the good things on her hat instead of the not-so-good things,” he explains. This is a lesson-to-be-learned book if ever there was one, but Earnhardt is so, well, frank about it that kids will laugh right along with Frank’s every miscue. Meanwhile, Castellani’s bright, glossy, retro-styled Photoshop illustrations pop with frantic energy. For kids who need to know that honesty isn’t always the best policy.
Horn Book (Spring 2013)
Frank is aptly named ("Your singing is kind of shrieky"). Snubbed by his classmates and others, he turns to his grandfather, who demonstrates how to tell the truth "the right way." The familiar premise is made wholly fresh by the book's rampant humor, both textual and Photoshopped (Principal Wiggins's toupie really does look, in Frank's words, like a "pet weasel").
Kirkus Reviews (September 15, 2012)
Frank believes that honesty is the best policy, but is that always the case? Elementary schooler Frank never lies to his schoolmates. He tells Dotty her freckles look like the Big Dipper, and he tells Carol her singing is "kind of shrieky." Neither of them is pleased. Frank is also truthful with adults. He tells his teacher her breath smells; when sent to the principal, Frank tells him his toupee looks like a weasel. Even his mother doesn't seem to appreciate his candor. No one in Frank's life (including Frank) is happy, so he seeks help from his grandpa. Grandpa Ernest tells Mrs. Peacock he likes the purple flower in her hat best when she asks if he likes her gaudy chapeau. Frank thinks Grandpa has lied, but no: Grandpa only focused on the good things. Frank applies Grandpa's advice to good effect and serves up the honesty with "more sugar... / and less pepper." Earnhardt's debut is a humorous object lesson in honesty, though the central punniness will be lost on the audience without some explanation. Italian illustrator Castellani's blocky and bright Saturday-morning-cartoon--style illustrations amp the wackiness and make this frankly fun. On-the-mark help for the parents of inadvertently tactless tots. (Picture book. 4-8)
Publishers Weekly (September 17, 2012)
Whether children understand the titular pun on the word "frank," they'll understand the difference between the kind of frankness Frank starts out with ("Your singing is kind of shrieky," he tells a classmate) and the kind he ends up with ("You sure can hit those high notes," he says to the same classmate after a heart-to-heart with his tactful Grandpa Ernest). Newcomer Earnhardt makes her point with solid pacing and lots of laughs: "She knew how fast she was going," Frank tells a police officer who's pulled over his mother. "I told her." Grandpa Ernest's demonstration of diplomacy is low-key. "Well," he says when a neighbor asks him about her gaudy hat, "there are an awful lot of flowers up there. But my favorite is the purple one in the middle." Italian illustrator Castellani's digital artwork is crisp, colorful, and energetic, though somewhat generic. Since Earnhardt's story stands sturdily on its own, though, it doesn't detract from its impact. While Frank might not persuade sharp-tongued children to mend their ways, the story provides a useful array of good ways to deliver bad news. Ages 5-7. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
School Library Journal (December 1, 2012)
K-Gr 1-Frank says what he thinks. No one, from a "shrieky" classmate to his toupee-wearing principal, really appreciates his opinions. Even his mother, who speeds and has wrinkles, isn't safe from her son's unvarnished comments. With everyone angry with him, the boy begins to question whether honesty is indeed the best policy. He gets some sage advice from Grandpa and learns to tell the truth without hurting people's feelings. The quirky cartoon-style illustrations boost the entertainment value of this picture book, whose message is delivered with humor. Great for reading aloud and for discussions on being diplomatic.-Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Grades K-2. Meet Frank. He is frank. And being frank, Frank likes to frankly tell everyone exactly what he thinks. “Your freckles remind me of the Big Dipper.” “Your singing is kind of shrieky.” When that gets him sent home from school, he displays the same frankness to his mother: “You wouldn’t get so many wrinkles if you didn’t glare at me like that.” Pretty soon Frank is lonely enough to alphabetize his bug collection. Enter Grandpa Ernest, who has mastered the ability to be earnest—it’s sort of like being frank, but nicer. When encountered with a ridiculous hat topped with flowers, Grandpa compliments the flower in the middle. “I talked about the good things on her hat instead of the not-so-good things,” he explains. This is a lesson-to-be-learned book if ever there was one, but Earnhardt is so, well, frank about it that kids will laugh right along with Frank’s every miscue. Meanwhile, Castellani’s bright, glossy, retro-styled Photoshop illustrations pop with frantic energy. For kids who need to know that honesty isn’t always the best policy.
Horn Book (Spring 2013)
Frank is aptly named ("Your singing is kind of shrieky"). Snubbed by his classmates and others, he turns to his grandfather, who demonstrates how to tell the truth "the right way." The familiar premise is made wholly fresh by the book's rampant humor, both textual and Photoshopped (Principal Wiggins's toupie really does look, in Frank's words, like a "pet weasel").
Kirkus Reviews (September 15, 2012)
Frank believes that honesty is the best policy, but is that always the case? Elementary schooler Frank never lies to his schoolmates. He tells Dotty her freckles look like the Big Dipper, and he tells Carol her singing is "kind of shrieky." Neither of them is pleased. Frank is also truthful with adults. He tells his teacher her breath smells; when sent to the principal, Frank tells him his toupee looks like a weasel. Even his mother doesn't seem to appreciate his candor. No one in Frank's life (including Frank) is happy, so he seeks help from his grandpa. Grandpa Ernest tells Mrs. Peacock he likes the purple flower in her hat best when she asks if he likes her gaudy chapeau. Frank thinks Grandpa has lied, but no: Grandpa only focused on the good things. Frank applies Grandpa's advice to good effect and serves up the honesty with "more sugar... / and less pepper." Earnhardt's debut is a humorous object lesson in honesty, though the central punniness will be lost on the audience without some explanation. Italian illustrator Castellani's blocky and bright Saturday-morning-cartoon--style illustrations amp the wackiness and make this frankly fun. On-the-mark help for the parents of inadvertently tactless tots. (Picture book. 4-8)
Publishers Weekly (September 17, 2012)
Whether children understand the titular pun on the word "frank," they'll understand the difference between the kind of frankness Frank starts out with ("Your singing is kind of shrieky," he tells a classmate) and the kind he ends up with ("You sure can hit those high notes," he says to the same classmate after a heart-to-heart with his tactful Grandpa Ernest). Newcomer Earnhardt makes her point with solid pacing and lots of laughs: "She knew how fast she was going," Frank tells a police officer who's pulled over his mother. "I told her." Grandpa Ernest's demonstration of diplomacy is low-key. "Well," he says when a neighbor asks him about her gaudy hat, "there are an awful lot of flowers up there. But my favorite is the purple one in the middle." Italian illustrator Castellani's digital artwork is crisp, colorful, and energetic, though somewhat generic. Since Earnhardt's story stands sturdily on its own, though, it doesn't detract from its impact. While Frank might not persuade sharp-tongued children to mend their ways, the story provides a useful array of good ways to deliver bad news. Ages 5-7. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
School Library Journal (December 1, 2012)
K-Gr 1-Frank says what he thinks. No one, from a "shrieky" classmate to his toupee-wearing principal, really appreciates his opinions. Even his mother, who speeds and has wrinkles, isn't safe from her son's unvarnished comments. With everyone angry with him, the boy begins to question whether honesty is indeed the best policy. He gets some sage advice from Grandpa and learns to tell the truth without hurting people's feelings. The quirky cartoon-style illustrations boost the entertainment value of this picture book, whose message is delivered with humor. Great for reading aloud and for discussions on being diplomatic.-Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2017
I really enjoyed the message portrayed within this book. I think this could be a really relatable subject for early elementary children. This book could help show them how being bluntly honest could really hurt someone's feelings. They are more likely to learn that from real experiences, rather than an adult just telling them.
July 8, 2025
I met the author, Donna Earnhardt, online in a writers chatroom maybe three years ago when she was still hoping to write the children’s book that would be accepted by a publisher. Well, it has happened! Being Frank is her first picture book to be placed into the hands of eager children, and it is a beautiful one.
The story begins with these words: Frank was always frank. “Honesty is the best policy,” he said.
While that motto is a very good one, it got Frank into big trouble. Although he knew how to be honest, he didn’t know anything about tact. Eventually, everyone was upset with him, he was being ignored by his friends, and he didn’t understand what to do about it. Enter … his grandfather. Yay! for grandparents! ;) What he learned from his grandfather Ernest changed how Frank handled his honesty so that he could still be honest but without hurting people’s feelings.
Although Being Frank is a story with a moral, it does not come across in a preachy teachy way that could put children off. It is entertaining and funny while getting the point across.
Donna has everything in this book that should appeal to a child. Words used are fun and a little challenging, there are amusing situations, she uses great names that describe the characters – an example being Mr. Wiggins, the school principal who wears a toupée – and she has brought out true feelings expressed by her characters. It is believable and entertaining for children (and grown-ups, too.)
A fabulous picture book story falls short when there are not great illustrations to back it up. Well, there is nothing amiss in this book! The characters in Donna Earnhardt’s Being Frank are brought to life through the bright and colourful illustrations of Andrea Castellani. (His name is pronounced An-dray-a.) When my grandson and I read this book together he was busily taking it all in, there is so much to see and enjoy that goes with the words.
Being Frank by Donna Earnhardt is a wonderful book to add to your bookshelf.
The story begins with these words: Frank was always frank. “Honesty is the best policy,” he said.
While that motto is a very good one, it got Frank into big trouble. Although he knew how to be honest, he didn’t know anything about tact. Eventually, everyone was upset with him, he was being ignored by his friends, and he didn’t understand what to do about it. Enter … his grandfather. Yay! for grandparents! ;) What he learned from his grandfather Ernest changed how Frank handled his honesty so that he could still be honest but without hurting people’s feelings.
Although Being Frank is a story with a moral, it does not come across in a preachy teachy way that could put children off. It is entertaining and funny while getting the point across.
Donna has everything in this book that should appeal to a child. Words used are fun and a little challenging, there are amusing situations, she uses great names that describe the characters – an example being Mr. Wiggins, the school principal who wears a toupée – and she has brought out true feelings expressed by her characters. It is believable and entertaining for children (and grown-ups, too.)
A fabulous picture book story falls short when there are not great illustrations to back it up. Well, there is nothing amiss in this book! The characters in Donna Earnhardt’s Being Frank are brought to life through the bright and colourful illustrations of Andrea Castellani. (His name is pronounced An-dray-a.) When my grandson and I read this book together he was busily taking it all in, there is so much to see and enjoy that goes with the words.
Being Frank by Donna Earnhardt is a wonderful book to add to your bookshelf.
December 30, 2012
As a 31 year veteran teaching grades 1-5, I find this book to be a "top-notch" teaching tool full of teachable moments whether used in the classroom or with your own children. To begin with a "picture walk" for interactive read-aloud, the vivid illustrations are quickly engaging making the reader eager to begin the book. There is a rich vocabulary and many literary elements of story that make this book an excellent teaching tool for "mini-lessons" for Readers Workshop such as character analysis, plot (was there a problem/solution),making predictions using context clues, along with making inferences and connections to what they already know. Young readers will then be able to use their meta-cognitive strategies to focus on one of the most difficult literary elements for young readers - author's purpose. The author used Frank to "teach a lesson". Upon analyzing what the lesson was, young readers are able to "read between the lines" and add this to their background knowledge. Drawing upon my personal experience as a teacher, young readers would be so eager "to act out" this book for Reader's Theatre. The author of this book is to be commended for the use of the many literary elements used to teach and enhance literacy for young readers !!! This is a "must-have"!!!
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June 5, 20141. Opening: Frank is a very honest kid. In fact, the word "frank" means "honest and clear." He knows it's good to be honest. But sometimes telling the truth makes people a little angry at Frank. Has that every happened to any of you? Thankfully, Frank has a wise Grandpa Earnest who helps him understand when to be "frank," and when to soften the truth to be kind.
2. Opening moves: lay groundwork for theme, tell the meaning of a key word, foreshadow problems, invite personal connections
3. Rationale: This book is hilarious, but also deals with an issue that can feel very tricky to young (and not so young) people. The mentoring grandfather fits in nicely with the other two grandfathers in the book. Joone's grandfather is a quiet, calm presence, the Abuelo is a central figure in the narrator's life, and this grandfather here provides guidance for Frank's tricky situation.
4. Review: (2012, December 1). School Library Journal. http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...#
2. Opening moves: lay groundwork for theme, tell the meaning of a key word, foreshadow problems, invite personal connections
3. Rationale: This book is hilarious, but also deals with an issue that can feel very tricky to young (and not so young) people. The mentoring grandfather fits in nicely with the other two grandfathers in the book. Joone's grandfather is a quiet, calm presence, the Abuelo is a central figure in the narrator's life, and this grandfather here provides guidance for Frank's tricky situation.
4. Review: (2012, December 1). School Library Journal. http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...#
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November 10, 2014This book talks about the concept of honesty and the main character, Frank, uses the phrase "honesty is the best policy" very literally. His friends, teacher, principal, and his mother are starting to get annoyed with his frankness, since he tells the honest truth and it starts to hurt their feelings. Frank is sad that his friends and mom and teacher are unhappy with him, so he sets out to Grandpa Ernest to see what wisdom he has to offer. Grandpa Ernest also dealt with being too frank, but he learned how to have a positive twist on matters that he didn't particularly like, such as the neighbor lady's garden hat. He picked on flower that he liked out of the huge bunch to compliment, since it was the truth! Frank quickly learned how to still be honest, but not too harsh.
Activity: The student's could create a situation that could end up with one person's feeling being hurt by too much honestly, but they learn how to turn it into a positive situation without lying or being hurtful.
Earnhardt, D., & Castellani, A. (2012). Being Frank. Brooklyn, NY: Flashlight Press.
Activity: The student's could create a situation that could end up with one person's feeling being hurt by too much honestly, but they learn how to turn it into a positive situation without lying or being hurtful.
Earnhardt, D., & Castellani, A. (2012). Being Frank. Brooklyn, NY: Flashlight Press.
November 13, 2014
Frank was good at being frank and that's all he knew what to do. One day when Frank was a little too frank his friends got upset with him, he got sent to the office, and he got in trouble with his mom. Frank decided he'd go confide in his grandfather. His grandfather teaches Frank that you can be honest and still be nice at the same time. When Frank is confronted with a few situations he has the opportunity to be polite, what will he do? Will he remember to be honest and nice? Or will he just be plain frank?
Great book for all ages. This can be used to teach students how to be honest and kind at the same time and to use other manners. Honesty is the best policy but there is a sweeter way in doing so rather than just being frank. An activity your students can do is make a T-Chart or a Vinn Diagram with frank responses and polite responses. Have them write a paragraph on why it is better to be polite rather than frank.
KDG-2nd
Earnhardt, D. (2012). Being Frank. Brooklyn, NY: Flashlight Press.
Great book for all ages. This can be used to teach students how to be honest and kind at the same time and to use other manners. Honesty is the best policy but there is a sweeter way in doing so rather than just being frank. An activity your students can do is make a T-Chart or a Vinn Diagram with frank responses and polite responses. Have them write a paragraph on why it is better to be polite rather than frank.
KDG-2nd
Earnhardt, D. (2012). Being Frank. Brooklyn, NY: Flashlight Press.
June 21, 2013
Frank's motto was "Honesty is the best Policy". He always told the truth. He told his teacher she had bad breath, his mom that she had wrinkles, etc. Everyone was angry with him, except for the police men, because he told him the truth (yes, his mom knew she was speeding). Frank goes to his grandpa and asks for help and advice. His grandpa knows just what to do. He shows Frank how you can be honest but kind at the same time.
I wish I had this book when I was younger! I totally had a Frank problem! My parents say I used to have "no filter." I remember it was hard for me to understand why being honest all the time wasn't a good thing. This book explains it well. I think other kids would be helped by this book! I love how Frank is just honest and a good kid, but he just doesn't get why people are mad at him. Grandpa explains everything really well.
**NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I wish I had this book when I was younger! I totally had a Frank problem! My parents say I used to have "no filter." I remember it was hard for me to understand why being honest all the time wasn't a good thing. This book explains it well. I think other kids would be helped by this book! I love how Frank is just honest and a good kid, but he just doesn't get why people are mad at him. Grandpa explains everything really well.
**NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2012
Children are always told to tell the truth. But there are certain truths (how we look, how we act, what we are wearing) that aren't always necessary to share and can be painful to hear.
So how can a child learn when to tell the truth and when to keep parts of the truth to himself?
That's the charm of this little story. Frank is…well, frank. And it gets him in trouble. Big trouble. Sent home from school. His mom mad at him. His friends angry with him.
It is Frank's grandfather who helps him out of his trouble, helping him learn when to share truths with others and when to keep those truths to one's self.
Very, very helpful book for children and parents to read together and talk about. With illustrations that will delight both children and parents.
Thank you to the publisher for this beautiful review copy.
So how can a child learn when to tell the truth and when to keep parts of the truth to himself?
That's the charm of this little story. Frank is…well, frank. And it gets him in trouble. Big trouble. Sent home from school. His mom mad at him. His friends angry with him.
It is Frank's grandfather who helps him out of his trouble, helping him learn when to share truths with others and when to keep those truths to one's self.
Very, very helpful book for children and parents to read together and talk about. With illustrations that will delight both children and parents.
Thank you to the publisher for this beautiful review copy.
January 8, 2013
How I wish I had this book when I was a kid! I remember those days when I told the truth and I got smacked on the head by my aunt, mom, and cousins....=(
This is definitely a must-have book on the library's parenting shelf. We're told to tell the truth and being honest from the day we can speak our first word. Yet, there are just times kids (and adults, too) don't know what kind of truth is okay to tell. This book gives you several good examples how to tell the truth without hurting people's feelings. It's a great book for teachers of grade PreK to even 5th graders (I think...) and parents, too. The best thing about this book is that it presented this hard-to-teach subject with a good sense of humor. It was an enjoyable and fun read for me.
This is definitely a must-have book on the library's parenting shelf. We're told to tell the truth and being honest from the day we can speak our first word. Yet, there are just times kids (and adults, too) don't know what kind of truth is okay to tell. This book gives you several good examples how to tell the truth without hurting people's feelings. It's a great book for teachers of grade PreK to even 5th graders (I think...) and parents, too. The best thing about this book is that it presented this hard-to-teach subject with a good sense of humor. It was an enjoyable and fun read for me.
April 23, 2013
Young Frank lives by the motto, "honesty is the best policy". However, he quickly learns there is such a thing as being too honest when he offends everyone around him. His wise grandfather teaches him how you can tell the truth, gently. So instead of saying how horrible the neighbor's hat is, he can say, "I've never seen a hat like that before. It must be one of a kind." Frank finds that as he delivers his truths less bluntly he is more likely to keep his friends and everyone around him is happier.
So many times as parents we are always concerned about our children telling lies. We don't often worry about the opposite behavior which children are just as apt to do. This fun story will entertain as it teaches some manners.
So many times as parents we are always concerned about our children telling lies. We don't often worry about the opposite behavior which children are just as apt to do. This fun story will entertain as it teaches some manners.
December 1, 2013
Adorable book and love the illustrations! This is a great book for teachers and adults who work or live with kids...especially the ones who haven't quite figured out that honesty is not always the best policy!
Frank is always honest....even when his honesty results in hurt feelings for others. Eventually he learns his lesson, of course, and figures out how to be polite without sacrificing his own sense of what truth means.
Not only is it great to use for talking to kids about how we can be honest without being hurtful, but it also lets us talk to kids about how our version of "the truth" is not always the "ultimate truth". Kind of goes with the whole "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".
Highly recommend!
Frank is always honest....even when his honesty results in hurt feelings for others. Eventually he learns his lesson, of course, and figures out how to be polite without sacrificing his own sense of what truth means.
Not only is it great to use for talking to kids about how we can be honest without being hurtful, but it also lets us talk to kids about how our version of "the truth" is not always the "ultimate truth". Kind of goes with the whole "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".
Highly recommend!
December 14, 2012
Do you know any kids who are gifted with honesty but lacking in the filter department? Heck, I know more than a handful of adults that fit that description! This book is funny story about a boy whose honesty gets him into trouble with those around him and how he learns to serve up the truth with a side of kindness. The illustrations are vibrant, and although there's a lesson to be learned, this book comes across as anything but preachy.
In full disclosure, Donna Earnhardt is a friend of mine. But I have many writer friends, and I only rate books with five stars if I felt like they were five star books. This rating was a no-brainer. I loved it.
In full disclosure, Donna Earnhardt is a friend of mine. But I have many writer friends, and I only rate books with five stars if I felt like they were five star books. This rating was a no-brainer. I loved it.
January 5, 2013
A kid named Frank is just a little too honest and forthright. His grandfather teaches him to be honest and kind while still being honest.
I'm not sure how everyone will feel about some of the examples. Frank's neighbor has a ridiculous hat. Frank, instead of saying what he really thinks, tells her that he's never seen a hat like hers before. She is pleased, taking his statement as a compliment when in fact, it's a truthful statement that doesn't really reveal how Frank feels about her hat.
Anyway, this is a good book for younger students who are starting to learn that telling the truth can hurt someone's feelings.
I'm not sure how everyone will feel about some of the examples. Frank's neighbor has a ridiculous hat. Frank, instead of saying what he really thinks, tells her that he's never seen a hat like hers before. She is pleased, taking his statement as a compliment when in fact, it's a truthful statement that doesn't really reveal how Frank feels about her hat.
Anyway, this is a good book for younger students who are starting to learn that telling the truth can hurt someone's feelings.
November 8, 2014
This book is recommended for 3-9 year olds. Frank is a brutally honest kid who thinks honesty is the best policy. No one wants to be around Frank because of his honesty, and this makes him very unhappy. He visits his grandfather and learns a lesson or two about being honest. Can Frank change his brutally honest ways, and can he find the best qualities in everyone instead of the negatives?
An activity to use this book for is cause and effect. Ask the students to think about the negative consequences to Frank's actions to his family and friends. What happens when he is too honest?
Earnhardt, D. (2012). Being Frank. Brooklyn, NY: Flashlight Press.
An activity to use this book for is cause and effect. Ask the students to think about the negative consequences to Frank's actions to his family and friends. What happens when he is too honest?
Earnhardt, D. (2012). Being Frank. Brooklyn, NY: Flashlight Press.
March 2, 2013
This is one of my favorite books of the year! I gave this book 5/5 stars. The story follows a boy as he learns how important it is to be polite. It teaches you not to lie but also that you don’t always have to be mean when speaking the truth. I thought it was a very realistic book and teaches how to be kind to others with our words. I recommend this book to any parent who has a child that sometimes speaks to others before thinking about what they are saying!
March 3, 2013
As a mother of a child with PDD, I wish there were more books like this one. I love the vibrant colors and the sense of action I detected from the illustrations. I also loved the clever way the author named each of the characters. It's a lovely story that will teach a lesson in tact without coming across as preachy, and the humor sprinkled into it will make it fun for the parent as well as the child.
February 5, 2013
Frank is well, frank. He knows it's not right to tell a lie, but he doesn't know when it's right just to not say anything. He doesn't understand why everyone gets mad at him for just telling the truth?! Frank learns a valuable lesson from his Grandpa Earnest (comical play on words) about learning how to tell the truth... in a different way.
February 22, 2013
This book will work well in classrooms or homes with children who often speak without sensitivity filters. Frank has to learn that telling the truth doesn't have to mean saying everything he is thinking, especially when what he's thinking might hurt or offend. His Grandpa Frank tells him, "You should always give people the truth... you just have to find the right way to serve it."
September 15, 2014
Being Frank is about a boy who is always being honest no matter if it is going to hurt someone's feelings. He tells everyone the honest truth but everyone is unhappy with it because it is not what they wanted to hear. Until he goes to his grandpa's house one day and learns how he can be honest but also how he can be nice when saying it.
October 18, 2012
Adorable!! Perfect book for teaching kids manners, being polite, and when to peak. The illustrations are cartoon like and colorful. The title is cute and once you read the book its a clever pun! It can be read to younger children but the older the more meaning the book will bring
November 13, 2012
Frank wonders if maybe honesty ISN’T always the best policy, after he offends his classmates, teacher, school principal (“Your toupee looks like my pet weasel.”), and mother. Luckily, Frank’s grandpa has some good advice for him!
March 6, 2013
Great book. This is one that just about any grade level could use. It helps kids think about honesty and learning how to be kind and not people's feelings.
Definitely will be buying this one.
RECOMMEND.
Definitely will be buying this one.
RECOMMEND.
February 12, 2013
This story tells of a boy who never lied, but never worried about the feelings of others either. His grandpa teaches him how to be honest without hurting people's feelings. The illustrations are very expressive and fun, with exaggerated, comic features. The story teaches a great lesson about tact.
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