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Frank!
Try as he might (or might not), Frank is a bear who is always late. And when he starts school, the trouble really begins.
Frank has very good reasons, like the time he had to save a cat stuck in a tree and the morning he found himself challenged to a charity dance-off, and even the time he had to rescue a family of bunnies from a huge, smelly ogre.
Frank's teacher has heard enough of Frank's excuses, but what happens when a giant zombie lizard king really does attack the school?
Sometimes there is truth to the most unusual of circumstances, and being helpful can pay off in the most unexpected ways.
Frank has very good reasons, like the time he had to save a cat stuck in a tree and the morning he found himself challenged to a charity dance-off, and even the time he had to rescue a family of bunnies from a huge, smelly ogre.
Frank's teacher has heard enough of Frank's excuses, but what happens when a giant zombie lizard king really does attack the school?
Sometimes there is truth to the most unusual of circumstances, and being helpful can pay off in the most unexpected ways.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2014
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 13, 2019
Frank is always late to school because he has many things to do. These tasks include helping the buskers on the street and fetching a cat on the tree. His compassionate attitude is paid off when a giant zombie lizard king attacks the school.
My expectations were probably too high before reading this picture book. I was confused by the message of the story. Is it about punctuation or being helpful? Frank is probably getting used to being on time because compared to the first day of the school when he was very late, he arrives on time to school at the very end of the story. That is, Frank was late at first, but later he was on time despite helping others as he always does. Further, how about the solution of dancing together with the giant zombie lizard king? When the giant zombie lizard king appears at school and breathed fire on everyone, the students and teachers are unable to stop the giant zombie lizard king. How did Frank make all of them dance together, including the giant zombie lizard king? In my opinion, it is an awkward ending about the sudden resolution of the situation. Children might like the part of the giant zombie lizard king like a dinosaur. The illustrations are unique but plain in conveying the plot.
My expectations were probably too high before reading this picture book. I was confused by the message of the story. Is it about punctuation or being helpful? Frank is probably getting used to being on time because compared to the first day of the school when he was very late, he arrives on time to school at the very end of the story. That is, Frank was late at first, but later he was on time despite helping others as he always does. Further, how about the solution of dancing together with the giant zombie lizard king? When the giant zombie lizard king appears at school and breathed fire on everyone, the students and teachers are unable to stop the giant zombie lizard king. How did Frank make all of them dance together, including the giant zombie lizard king? In my opinion, it is an awkward ending about the sudden resolution of the situation. Children might like the part of the giant zombie lizard king like a dinosaur. The illustrations are unique but plain in conveying the plot.
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August 26, 2020
Purchase Frank! here for just $10!
The illustrations of this book are whimsical and fun. They are really what moves this text to the next level, although Frank himself is just such an eccentric character also. I do love the theme of helping that shines throughout the book. This is an important theme to discuss with kids, and this book doesn’t make it boring while discussing it. A very fun story that will leave classrooms of students in giggles :)
Manda - The Book Grocer
The illustrations of this book are whimsical and fun. They are really what moves this text to the next level, although Frank himself is just such an eccentric character also. I do love the theme of helping that shines throughout the book. This is an important theme to discuss with kids, and this book doesn’t make it boring while discussing it. A very fun story that will leave classrooms of students in giggles :)
Manda - The Book Grocer
March 13, 2023
I don't think the conclusion was earned, not the least bit.
As for the rest of the story, I like humor in picture books, really I do. But I'm also aware that picture books teach children about life: What is acceptable, what is not.
This one glorifies being late.
Equating being late with caring.
Such a terrible message to teach children. I would never have published this one, let alone acquired it for my library.
Never would I join with certain frightening politicians in their quest to ban books or burn books, but I'd sure never recommend this one, neither to a parent nor to a child.
As for the rest of the story, I like humor in picture books, really I do. But I'm also aware that picture books teach children about life: What is acceptable, what is not.
This one glorifies being late.
Equating being late with caring.
Such a terrible message to teach children. I would never have published this one, let alone acquired it for my library.
Never would I join with certain frightening politicians in their quest to ban books or burn books, but I'd sure never recommend this one, neither to a parent nor to a child.
January 9, 2021
Such an odd book that can’t seem to decide on its message. Are readers supposed to help others? Work together? Be punctual?
This is a book though that I think kids will live the illustrations and absurdity of what happens next. Would be great for classroom use inmagining what Frank might do next to help.
This is a book though that I think kids will live the illustrations and absurdity of what happens next. Would be great for classroom use inmagining what Frank might do next to help.
September 10, 2021
The message I got from this:
Dance-offs save lives.
Am I on the right track? Truly have no idea. Could be a message about punctuality or working together that was more meant to be the theme - but the illustrations are darn adorable, no matter what story this book is telling.
Dance-offs save lives.
Am I on the right track? Truly have no idea. Could be a message about punctuality or working together that was more meant to be the theme - but the illustrations are darn adorable, no matter what story this book is telling.
March 16, 2021
I read the book "Jumble" by Radhiah Chowdhury and Connah Brecon. The book was about a child who learns to talk.
December 22, 2025
Poor Frank, constantly side-tracked. I loved the trio of pigeons that were the band.
December 23, 2025
A really funny book!
Love all of Frank's stories and who doesn't love a Giant King Lizard?
Love all of Frank's stories and who doesn't love a Giant King Lizard?
July 28, 2014
Connah Brecon is the author/illustrator of a recent release, FRANK.
This quirky, whimsical picture book features a cast of human and animal characters who all function as equals- going to school, playing instruments, conducting fund-raisers, etc. The seemingly simple illustrations are sprinkled with offbeat details and secondary characters which suggest stories of their own.
This establishes a background for the paradoxical text. The stage is set for predictability with simple statements in typewriter font:
"Frank was late. Frank was always late."
Secondary text within speech bubbles in art-style font lead the story in less mundane directions- runaway trees and news headlines about rampaging reptiles are just the start.
Frank's chronic tardiness at school is caused by his good-hearted efforts to resolve these unconventional problems as they arise. Kids will enjoy the slightly off-center art, the blending of familiar (running late for what seem to be perfectly good reasons) with the bizarre (ogres and dragons). They'll also explore the details for hidden humor, including clever expressions, birds with earphones, and puns in signage.
There are quite a few direct messages in this short story: help those in need, work together, and, of course, try to be on time. I doubt these will be the reason kids enjoy this book, or return to it, or share it with others. My guess is that the true appeal will be likable FRANK and his unique story-mates.
Take a look when you have a chance and see what you think.
This quirky, whimsical picture book features a cast of human and animal characters who all function as equals- going to school, playing instruments, conducting fund-raisers, etc. The seemingly simple illustrations are sprinkled with offbeat details and secondary characters which suggest stories of their own.
This establishes a background for the paradoxical text. The stage is set for predictability with simple statements in typewriter font:
"Frank was late. Frank was always late."
Secondary text within speech bubbles in art-style font lead the story in less mundane directions- runaway trees and news headlines about rampaging reptiles are just the start.
Frank's chronic tardiness at school is caused by his good-hearted efforts to resolve these unconventional problems as they arise. Kids will enjoy the slightly off-center art, the blending of familiar (running late for what seem to be perfectly good reasons) with the bizarre (ogres and dragons). They'll also explore the details for hidden humor, including clever expressions, birds with earphones, and puns in signage.
There are quite a few direct messages in this short story: help those in need, work together, and, of course, try to be on time. I doubt these will be the reason kids enjoy this book, or return to it, or share it with others. My guess is that the true appeal will be likable FRANK and his unique story-mates.
Take a look when you have a chance and see what you think.
December 7, 2014
What is going on with Frank? He’s a hip, urban-dwelling kid bear in a red puffy vest and skinny jeans who is always late, but only because he is too helpful! Whether jamming with a pigeon trio, saving a cat up a tree, or helping bunnies bullied by an ogre, Frank always has an excuse. His teacher is less than pleased with his tardiness, although he does manage to be a little more on time each day.
Brecon’s illustrations are the star in this quirky, engaging story. While the story is conveyed in sharp black typeface, Brecon sets the tale in an Oliver Jeffers-esque palette and scatters hand-lettered text liberally on the page. Young readers will snicker at the odd pairings of animal and human classmates and fantastic versus realistic reasons that keep Frank from arriving on time. Seeking out the recurring pigeon and bunny trios tucked charmingly into page corners will further amuse sharp-eyed kids.
Frank finally gets to school on time, but trouble has found him right at the classroom door. How will they cope with a giant zombie lizard king threatening the school? Frank shows that although he has not been in class very often, he has learned something about how to make friends.
Unique and delightfully unpredictable, Frank! is an imaginative tale with light-handed messages about punctuality, compassion and teamwork.
Brecon’s illustrations are the star in this quirky, engaging story. While the story is conveyed in sharp black typeface, Brecon sets the tale in an Oliver Jeffers-esque palette and scatters hand-lettered text liberally on the page. Young readers will snicker at the odd pairings of animal and human classmates and fantastic versus realistic reasons that keep Frank from arriving on time. Seeking out the recurring pigeon and bunny trios tucked charmingly into page corners will further amuse sharp-eyed kids.
Frank finally gets to school on time, but trouble has found him right at the classroom door. How will they cope with a giant zombie lizard king threatening the school? Frank shows that although he has not been in class very often, he has learned something about how to make friends.
Unique and delightfully unpredictable, Frank! is an imaginative tale with light-handed messages about punctuality, compassion and teamwork.
October 15, 2014
Welcome to Frank’s world: A place of off-beat humour and mis-kept time, where (although set within a town full of time references) this street-smart bear finds his time misappropriated in the most unusual ways. Despite becoming a little less late each day, it’s clear that his tales seem a little tall to his teacher…
The cast of human and animal characters are fantastically realised, so we can easily understand how Frank might lose time with a busking pigeon band, or aiding besieged bunnies, or, indeed, being mistaken for a famous dancer and challenged to a charity dance-off. What we learn is that Frank’s timekeeping is awful, but his minutes are lost at the aid of others. His heart is kind, and he is quick to help. And kindness is reciprocated – which comes in handy when confronted by a GIANT ZOMBIE LIZARD KING.
I love the mix of typewriter font and hand-drawn text, and I love the small humorous asides peppered liberally throughout the bright, energetic pages. Marvellously mad-cap, inventive, hilarious – I urge you to while away some time with Frank!
The cast of human and animal characters are fantastically realised, so we can easily understand how Frank might lose time with a busking pigeon band, or aiding besieged bunnies, or, indeed, being mistaken for a famous dancer and challenged to a charity dance-off. What we learn is that Frank’s timekeeping is awful, but his minutes are lost at the aid of others. His heart is kind, and he is quick to help. And kindness is reciprocated – which comes in handy when confronted by a GIANT ZOMBIE LIZARD KING.
I love the mix of typewriter font and hand-drawn text, and I love the small humorous asides peppered liberally throughout the bright, energetic pages. Marvellously mad-cap, inventive, hilarious – I urge you to while away some time with Frank!
September 18, 2014
Frank is a cute and lovable bear who struggles with being on time, anywhere, but the story focuses on his being late at school. He has good reasons because he stops along the way to help, like rescuing a cat from a tree. Unfortunately, he becomes even later because the tree runs away with him still in it! Eventually, Frank manages to be on time at school, and just at the right moment for rescuing his classmates! The story feels like it's about small children who start off with good reasons why something happens, and suddenly the story becomes even bigger than the truth. Lots of imagination here in this book, and the pictures are filled with small asides in balloon speeches. The book was a little confusing at times, so it might make a good group conversation first, then let the kids take lots of time to examine the illustrations!
September 1, 2014
I looked forward to following Frank's escapades and excuses for why he was always late. The lively and whimsical illustrations captured Frank as a cute and lovable bear who wasn't "rude or unreliable" nor "a dawdler or a meanderer. He just liked to help out." When he started going to school, he arrived late for a variety of reasons, one of which was saving a cat from a tree. This is where the storyline seemed to get out of control and the message confusing. Some kids will still enjoy the entrance of the giant zombie lizard king and the dance off, but I would have enjoyed the book more if the story would have stayed consistent with the introduction and original theme. This book will be released at the end of September.
May 18, 2015
3.5 stars. Frank's always late because he likes to help people. This becomes more of a problem when he starts school and is always late for everything. However, I got a little confused in the latter half of the book as I didn't know which things were actually happening and which things might have been Frank's imagination (e.g., the giant zombie lizard king). Frank saves the day in a fun way, but the method didn't really seem to follow. But maybe I'm being precious. It's a quirky book with fun illustrations, but I just didn't think the story followed as well as it could.
October 12, 2014
Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=4249
The illustrations are so wonderful! They are really what moves this text to the next level although Frank himself is just such an eccentric character also. The book does take a crazy, fun twist in the middle which will definitely keep kids’ attention. I do love the theme of helping out that shines throughout the book. This is an important theme to discuss with kids, and this book doesn’t make it boring while discussing it.
The illustrations are so wonderful! They are really what moves this text to the next level although Frank himself is just such an eccentric character also. The book does take a crazy, fun twist in the middle which will definitely keep kids’ attention. I do love the theme of helping out that shines throughout the book. This is an important theme to discuss with kids, and this book doesn’t make it boring while discussing it.
March 4, 2015
Frank is without a doubt my new favorite bear. His style is remiscent of the fun guy in your friend group who is a little slow on the uptake but has a real heart of gold. He is consistently late for things, but that is because he's out doing good for the world.
The scene with the dance off with the Elvis look-a-like? CLASSIC. Also, it features stinky feet. Can't go wrong with stinky feet.
This one could go through your 7-8 year old set.
The scene with the dance off with the Elvis look-a-like? CLASSIC. Also, it features stinky feet. Can't go wrong with stinky feet.
This one could go through your 7-8 year old set.
September 14, 2014
The illustrations of this book are whimsical and fun. Kids will surely be inspired to want to create their own artwork. This is a fun story that will leave classrooms of students in giggles. Brecon's imagination shines. I wish the plot of the story, particularly the ending, was a bit different, but this text will allow for great conversations in classrooms about responsibility.
December 31, 2014
Frank is always late for everything. He always has a story to explain why he's late. Usually, it involves him helping in outrageous situations like bunnies being bullied by ogres or being roped into a dance off for those with two left feet.
I didn't really like it very much.
I didn't really like it very much.
February 7, 2015
1: Why is he trying to be Oliver Jeffers?
2: It was really hard to follow the plot of this book. Lots of complicated speech bubbles and stuff.
2: It was really hard to follow the plot of this book. Lots of complicated speech bubbles and stuff.
October 4, 2014
Frank is a lot of fun, we've had the book for awhile and were pretty excited to finally post about it: http://anakalianwhims.wordpress.com/2...
October 15, 2014
Dance-off!!
February 24, 2015
Personally, I just don't get this author's sense of humor or storytelling. The story started out creative, but took such a strange turn that I couldn't follow the point. Just didn't work for me.
March 19, 2015
So adorable. I loved it! Another in a line of some really cute books coming out lately.
March 22, 2015
Australian author writes and illustrates a book which might work to motivate kids to write excuses for why they are late to school.
May 1, 2015
The quirky story of a hipster bear who is never on time. Fun and very modern feeling!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews