Frankie: A Heartfelt and Funny Picture Book for Kids (Ages 4-7) About Two Dogs Learning to Share

by Mary Sullivan

Frankie is EXCITED! A new home? A new bed? A new ball? But wait. Nico is already here. 

Nico’s home.

Nico’s bed. 

Nico’s ball.

Sharing is hard . . .   Will Frankie find a place here too?
 
Follow two pups with big personalities as they struggle to get along and find their places in the pack.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Childrens, Animals, Friendship, Storytime, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 4, 2017

About the author

Mary Sullivan received a BFA from the University of Texas at Austin but considers herself a self trained illustrator. Her childhood memories are of the many hours she spent perusing books, devouring poetry and studying very closely each and every illustration. She has shown her work at galleries and coffee shops in Austin and Dallas. More recently, she has begun channeling her energy into illustrations for children. She has worked with Highlights for Children, Scholastic, Innovative Kids, School Zone, Oxford Press UK, Pearson and many more. Her most recent book, BALL, was a 2014 ALA Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book.

Mary Sullivan has received a Rona Jaffe Foundation Award and a St. Botolph Foundation Award.

Mary lives in Austin Texas.  She spends her days writing, drawing and walking her dogs.  

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dottie said: "This book had all the feels. Reminded me of when I first came home, and Henry and Lulu wouldn't share their bed or toys. Sheesh! Things are good now, though. We share everything except our treats. That's another story."

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankie's finally found a home. Too bad another dog already lives there. A very sweet story about learning to get along, and how to SHARE your toys.



I LOVE how this woman draws dogs!

[Frankie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book named after me! ...based on a real dog...nice book about sharing, welcoming new friends

[Mallory Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was short, sweet, and just purely heartwarming. We have a dog named Frank, and he looks very similar, and acts the same as Frankie in the book. Our other dog is the same as Nico. It was just amazing to read a book that my kids connected with so well. We loved it, and I’ve already been asked to bring it home from the library again.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO CUTE. Nico looks like Frigga.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mean... I guess it's about sharing? But... I dunno. Not my fave. The idea is there but not a fan that he stole "toys" from around the house, then got new ones anyways, and THEN the other dog decides to share. Hmmmm...

[Lauren Kramer-Theuerkauf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankie by Mary Sullivan tells the true tale of a rescued pup waiting for her forever home. Frankie is so excited to be leaving the shelter! She cannot believe that she is actually going to stay in a real house.

She begins to explore her new surroundings and encounters exciting things such as a ball, rope toy and blanket. There is just one problem. All of these wonderful items belong to Nico, her foster mom's dog.

Nico cannot believe that his mom has brought another dog into the house! Not only that, but Frankie wants to claim all of his belongings as her own. Nico is not about to let that happen.

Will Frankie ever have her own toys? Will Nico learn how to share? Will Frankie and Nico be able to get along?

I absolutely loved this book! Visually intensive, the book relies solely on the illustrations to tell the story. It almost reads like a comic book. I found this to be a very unique, yet effective technique.

The illustrations are fantastic! Each page reveals another layer to the character of Frankie. Young and old alike with fall in love with Frankie and her adorable facial expressions.

Being a pet parent to five rescue dogs and three cats, I can totally relate to the theme of the story. There is always an adjustment period that takes place when introducing a new animal into the home. The balance is momentarily skewed but in time, new bonds are formed and those who were once enemies become friends.

I also love that this book is based on a true story. It truly warms my heart to read about animals finding loving forever homes that they definitely deserve. I am reminded of my own dogs' adoption journeys, which always brings a smile to my face. Additionally, I love that a portion of the book's proceeds are donated to Austin Pets Alive. This is an amazing rescue organization based out of Texas that actually helped rescue and adopt out the real Frankie.

This is a fantastic book for readers of all ages (especially animal lovers!). There are so many wonderful lessons tucked within the pages. I believe that this book could also be used by local rescue groups and animal shelters as part of a humane education curriculum.

[Laura Mossa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story begins with Francine affectionately called Frankie leaving the shelter. As soon as Frankie enters her foster home, she takes in her new surroundings especially things like a ball, bone, toys and a bed. Frankie quickly realizes all these things belong to Nico, the family dog, and Nico is not willing to share. Will Frankie get her own toys or will Nico learn to share?

Frankie is a story with few words but a lot of heart. The adorable illustrations visually tell the story and capture both Frankie and Nico’s emotions. Frankie hits close to home because the story was inspired by author/illustrator Mary Sullivan’s real foster puppy Frankie and a portion of the book’s proceeds are being donated to the shelter Austin Pets Alive. Shelter pups are dear to my heart because both Etta and Bella are rescues. Luckily, from the first day we brought Bella home, Etta has been very willing to share and still does.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute story. Any multiple dog owner can understand where Frankie and Nico are coming from in this story. Frankie is adjusting to his new home and he begins finding things in the house like a ball, a bed, and a bone. The only problem is, all those things belong to Nico and he is not willing to share. Frankie goes to play with something and Nico soon charges in and take back what is his. Frankie feels down because he does not have anything for himself yet. He finds his own toys and bed from household items and soon realizes that his new owners have not forgotten their new addition to the family.

[Steve Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dog books are a favorite for me, and I must read any new ones I see on shelves! This one is very cute - I love the pictures and Frankie. A newly adopted dog enters a home and family where a dog already lives. It's difficult! With any "new" member in a situation, it takes some getting used to. The two dogs must learn one another and how to share - which is not an easy task. I find this an enjoyable story with a relatable message to young children, so it's certainly worth the time in a classroom.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankie is the new dog in the house. He is very excited as he explores his new environment. Nico, on the other hand, is the long-time resident of the house. And he is adamantly not willing to share his things with Frankie. “No! Nico’s ball!” So what is Frankie going to play with? And where will he sleep? He finds some very creative solutions to these questions. But maybe the better solution presents itself when Nico admires one of Frankie’s things.

A simple story about coexisting, friendship and sharing.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet book with very simple words that would be good for a beginning reader. There is also a lot of repetition of the words, so this would make a great first book for a child learning how to read.

This is based on a true story about Frankie, a foster dog who is brought to live with another dog, Nico. Nico doesn't want to share his own toys and things with Frankie. Frankie makes do and finds his own toys... and then lo and behold, Nico wants some of those.

Great for showing kids how to share.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frankie is the new dog in the house and Nico doesn't want to share. 75% of the book is Nico taking his stuff away from Frankie. Then Frankie improvises some new stuff from non-dog toys like cardboard boxes and kids' stuffed animals. Then the person brings home all new stuff for Frankie. Nico likes some of it, so they share.

This would be fine if it weren't paced completely wrong. There should have been one resolution, either Frankie's creativity or the sharing. And whichever resolution should have started much sooner.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming story based on a real rescue dog named Frankie! This is told in short little phrases with simple illustrations. Frankie is delighted with all sorts of things in his new home but they belong to Nico who doesn’t want to share. Frankie creatively makes do with other toys and a bed until he is surprised with stuff of his own. Can these two learn to share? Families of all varieties will relate to the challenge of a new addition to a home.

[Selena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book deals with a new dog trying to find his way in a house already inhabited by a dog set in his ways. Nico doesn't want to share anything with new dog Frankie and Frankie begins acting out to try to figure out how to make the home his own. In the end they find a way to get along and share. Since it focuses on dogs, this is a great book to deal with the subject of a new sibling or any new child in your life even if it's a classroom or visiting relative.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

when Frankie the dog is brought to his new home he is excited over the toys and bed he sees. But he quickly learns that those are Nico's toys and bed. He sadly gathers his own toys (ball of yarn, sock, etc) and his own bed (a box). Frankie and Nico sit and eye each other in a staredown until their owner comes back with all new stuff just for Frankie. But Nico wants Frankie's new frog. How about a trade?

Use this story to help with sharing.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankie is a newly adopted dog entering a home where another dog already lives. Frankie is excited for all of the comforts of his new home but runs into some trouble when Nico the dog is unwilling to share toys, beds etc. In the end, they work everything out for a happy ending that is completely satisfying.

Pencil illustrations colored digitally. PreK-2, especially for beginning readers.

[Niki Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Mary Sullivan! Frankie tries to feel at home after being rescued (only my assumption based on visual cues on the first page) by some humans, but Nico, the family's other dog, is a little possessive. Heartwarming and funny, Sullivan's illustrations always manage to capture emoting doggos perfectly.

[Pug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable book. And the picture on the back cover, of the real-life Frankie who was the inspiration for this book: REALLY ADORABLE! A very simple yet sweet book about the new dog in town. It could have used some more pages at the end (I thought there was some level-jumping at the ending), but still too cute to complain about!

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork in this is way cute. It's a picture book about sharing using a lifelong dog and new dog brought home to demonstrate the importance of sharing. It's very simplistic and kind of gives off a weird (but realistic) message in the end that sharing is a good thing because if you share then others will probably share back.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS STORY!! It is about Frankie, a shelter dog who is adopted by a family who already has a dog--a very possessive dog. Frankie has a great ending (no spoiler).

The story is sweet and right on target for its audience. Also, it uses speech and thought bubbles for all its text. Emergent readers can practice directionality and one-to-one correspondence with the sparse and well-selected text. But wait, THAT'S NOT ALL! The author skillfully uses repetition to further assist early readers in their quest for independence.

Curriculum connections: directionality, emergent readers, punctuation, fluency through repetition, illustrations support decoding, imagination
Audience: PK(?)-1; emergent readers

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a new puppy, or even a toddler who doesn't know how to share, this is a beautiful easy to read picture book about Frankie and Nico. Will Nico learn to share his toys with Frankie, his new brother?

[A Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It really touched my heart and, speaking of hearts, I love the heart that dots the "i" on the cover and the heart pattern on the inside cover. The story is just so sweet and the illustrations too. Adding this title to my personal collection and to my classroom's library.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book about fitting into a new home. I always have a problem with Sullivan's illustrations; they put me right on the edge of nausea (not by any fault of her own; they remind me of illustrations from my childhood that are NOT attached to good memories).

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good books about sharing & understanding what is and isn't yours are surprisingly tough to come across for young readers (considering what a challenge that can be for kiddos...and let's face it, even for big people), though this one does a decent job.

[Jj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow, I loved this book so much. I am definitely putting this on the list for anyone who is bringing either a new foster or a new permanent dog into the household. Mary Sullivan never disappoints--she is so spot-on in her depiction of dogs, it is truly awesome to behold every time.

[Viviane Elbee]

Kids who love dogs might like this sparsely worded book. Frankie is a dog in a new home where another dog, Nico, already lives. So Nico is hoarding all the good stuff. There's a bit of a sharing theme at the end of the book.

[Laine · Rating 3 out of 5]

super cute!

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet, simple tale about sharing told from a rescue dog's point of view. (Yay for rescue dogs!)

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable.