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Funny Frank
Being a duck isn’t all it’s quacked up to be.
But don’t try telling that to Frank—he’s a chicken with a dream. All he thinks about are webbed feet, waterproof feathers, and the cool water of the pond. So when Frank takes a dip and nearly drowns, his mood turns foul. Luckily, he gets a little human help—in the form of a man-made wet suit and a pair of flippers—and soon he’s the speediest bird in the water. And while Frank knows he’s ruffled a few feathers, he doesn’t care—there’s just too much for him to crow about.
Until a certain young chick catches his eye, that is. . . .
But don’t try telling that to Frank—he’s a chicken with a dream. All he thinks about are webbed feet, waterproof feathers, and the cool water of the pond. So when Frank takes a dip and nearly drowns, his mood turns foul. Luckily, he gets a little human help—in the form of a man-made wet suit and a pair of flippers—and soon he’s the speediest bird in the water. And while Frank knows he’s ruffled a few feathers, he doesn’t care—there’s just too much for him to crow about.
Until a certain young chick catches his eye, that is. . . .
112 pages, Hardcover
First published July 2, 2001
18 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Dick King-Smith
328 books307 followersDick King-Smith was born and raised in Gloucestershire, England, surrounded by pet animals. After twenty years as a farmer, he turned to teaching and then to writing children's books.
Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.
Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.
Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.
Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
March 4, 2011
I love this book. My son has autism and I am pretty sure that Frank, the chick, might be on the spectrum as well. My son is reading this book as his chapter book for the week but he also asked that I read it to him aloud as our nightly reading. Frank is a chick, but he doesn't quite fit in. I almost cried in the first chapter when Frank is not playing with the other chicks and then, when his mom calls him over, his reaction is familiar, "Usually little chicks run to their mother when she calls them - run very fast - flapping their stubby little wings. But this one was in no hurry."
I could also identify with the two mother hens chit-chatting in the grass, "You know, I think that one of my chicks is funny." Her friend replies, "Funny? ... Do you mean funny 'ha! ha!' or funny 'peculiar'?" Without hesitation, Frank's mom replies, "Peculiar. I've suspected it for some time."
I am not sure if Frank was meant to be a chick with a DSM-IV diagnosis or simply an odd duck, er chick. However, I think this story is well suited to use with all children as a jumping-off point to discuss differences. My son loves Frank and he loves that Frank does his own thing! I highly recommend this book for parents and teachers.
I could also identify with the two mother hens chit-chatting in the grass, "You know, I think that one of my chicks is funny." Her friend replies, "Funny? ... Do you mean funny 'ha! ha!' or funny 'peculiar'?" Without hesitation, Frank's mom replies, "Peculiar. I've suspected it for some time."
I am not sure if Frank was meant to be a chick with a DSM-IV diagnosis or simply an odd duck, er chick. However, I think this story is well suited to use with all children as a jumping-off point to discuss differences. My son loves Frank and he loves that Frank does his own thing! I highly recommend this book for parents and teachers.
March 9, 2011
This book was AWESOME! I loved this book cause its about a chicken who wants to be a duck. And I thought," Thats not possible." And you want to see if it is possible,read to find out. Oh, and I wanted to give a BIG Thank You to my aunt, who gave me this book. SOOOO...
THANK YOU TABBY!
L<3ve,
Morgan
THANK YOU TABBY!
L<3ve,
Morgan
June 8, 2012
Frank, one of a brood of eight chicks hatched on a farm, is rather unusual. Unlike his brothers and sisters who go about doing conventional chicken-like things, Frank spends much of his time at the edge of the duck pond staring at the ducks and ducklings as they swim and splash, letting the beautiful liquid sprinkle and spatter them. Frank wants nothing more than to be able to swim. His bewildered mother, Gertie, expresses her concern over her son’s peculiar behaviour to her friend, Mildred, the farmyard sticky-beak who seizes every opportunity to judgementally deliver commentary of Frank’s embarrassing behaviour to his mother (and of course, the farmyard community). Hugely embarrassed that she, a hen who prides herself on producing top quality eggs, has some how managed to produce such a weird chick, Gertie calls an end to her friendship with the annoying Mildred. Further, she distances herself from her strange son, as do the rest of the chicken community including his siblings.
Now belonging to neither duck nor chicken community, Frank is more than ever determined to learn to swim and manages on a couple occasions to almost drown himself trying. Noticing his misery, Jemima, the farmer’s daughter, embarks upon a mission to help make Frank’s dream a reality. With the support and practical assistance of Jemima’s parents and her uncle the vet, Frank is fitted with a tailor-made wetsuit and webbed feet that enable him to swim faster than any of the ducks could. This development sends his mother cringing even more at the thought and sight of her unusual son; but it is also a development that yields Frank acceptance into the duck community.
With the passing of time, nature has its way and much to the astonishment of the farm animals Frank is seen perched upon a log delivering a piercing “Cock-a doodle-doo!” This spurs Frank and the humans to consider his future – as a chicken. Frank unsuccessfully tries to re-establish a relationship with his mother; however when one evening, assisted by his weird duck outfit he saves her from a marauding fox, Gertie is proud of her hero, but grief- stricken in the mistaken belief that the son whom she had ostracised has sacrificed his life to save hers. Later the humans introduce a gorgeous pullet to Frank and he is smitten by her beauty, but unfortunately for him, she is not at all impressed by what she considers to be a weird-looking wally and turns her back on him. Before long the humans rid Frank of his duck paraphernalia and a magnificent cockerel emerges much to the boosted pride of his mother and the enthralment of the unsuspecting, now love-struck, new pullet whom Frank names Gorgeous. In her, Frank finds his true love – and with her at his side, finally, his true place.
This fascinating story about the journey to determining one’s identity reveals the intricate and sensitive nature of this phenomenon. It is a story of courage and determination to explore one’s calling and or to pursue one’s dream in spite of ridicule and the risk of alienating oneself from or being excluded by kin with no guarantee of finding acceptance in the intended new community. Themes of empathy, support, sensitivity, freedom to discover oneself, family, community, relationships and love all feature during this journey. ‘Funny Frank’ is a story that could easily apply to humans – a child experiencing the strongest inner pull to be biologically/physiologically different to how Mother Nature presented him to this world, much to his mother’s chagrin and feelings of inadequacy. Still, amid the serious content, humour is never far away. The girly banter between Gertie and Mildred but more so the chat-up lines between Frank the cockerel and Gorgeous the pullet would draw at least a chuckle from adults, let alone children. In my opinion ‘Funny Frank’ would make an equally beautiful, hilarious film. I would certainly watch it and make sure I had a copy to return to later. A very enjoyable read.
Now belonging to neither duck nor chicken community, Frank is more than ever determined to learn to swim and manages on a couple occasions to almost drown himself trying. Noticing his misery, Jemima, the farmer’s daughter, embarks upon a mission to help make Frank’s dream a reality. With the support and practical assistance of Jemima’s parents and her uncle the vet, Frank is fitted with a tailor-made wetsuit and webbed feet that enable him to swim faster than any of the ducks could. This development sends his mother cringing even more at the thought and sight of her unusual son; but it is also a development that yields Frank acceptance into the duck community.
With the passing of time, nature has its way and much to the astonishment of the farm animals Frank is seen perched upon a log delivering a piercing “Cock-a doodle-doo!” This spurs Frank and the humans to consider his future – as a chicken. Frank unsuccessfully tries to re-establish a relationship with his mother; however when one evening, assisted by his weird duck outfit he saves her from a marauding fox, Gertie is proud of her hero, but grief- stricken in the mistaken belief that the son whom she had ostracised has sacrificed his life to save hers. Later the humans introduce a gorgeous pullet to Frank and he is smitten by her beauty, but unfortunately for him, she is not at all impressed by what she considers to be a weird-looking wally and turns her back on him. Before long the humans rid Frank of his duck paraphernalia and a magnificent cockerel emerges much to the boosted pride of his mother and the enthralment of the unsuspecting, now love-struck, new pullet whom Frank names Gorgeous. In her, Frank finds his true love – and with her at his side, finally, his true place.
This fascinating story about the journey to determining one’s identity reveals the intricate and sensitive nature of this phenomenon. It is a story of courage and determination to explore one’s calling and or to pursue one’s dream in spite of ridicule and the risk of alienating oneself from or being excluded by kin with no guarantee of finding acceptance in the intended new community. Themes of empathy, support, sensitivity, freedom to discover oneself, family, community, relationships and love all feature during this journey. ‘Funny Frank’ is a story that could easily apply to humans – a child experiencing the strongest inner pull to be biologically/physiologically different to how Mother Nature presented him to this world, much to his mother’s chagrin and feelings of inadequacy. Still, amid the serious content, humour is never far away. The girly banter between Gertie and Mildred but more so the chat-up lines between Frank the cockerel and Gorgeous the pullet would draw at least a chuckle from adults, let alone children. In my opinion ‘Funny Frank’ would make an equally beautiful, hilarious film. I would certainly watch it and make sure I had a copy to return to later. A very enjoyable read.
May 30, 2014
Message of this book = If you are different, prepare to conform or be ostracized.
This book is horrible. Frank is a chicken and he is different from other chickens. So what does his mother do? She disowns him. What do all the other chickens do? They gossip about him and shun him.
As Frank grows up, he yearns to have a place among the chickens. Does the author give us a tale of understanding and acceptance? No. Instead, Frank gives up what made him happy so he can fit in. Wow...great message to put out there for children.
This book is horrible. Frank is a chicken and he is different from other chickens. So what does his mother do? She disowns him. What do all the other chickens do? They gossip about him and shun him.
As Frank grows up, he yearns to have a place among the chickens. Does the author give us a tale of understanding and acceptance? No. Instead, Frank gives up what made him happy so he can fit in. Wow...great message to put out there for children.
January 4, 2011
This book was atonishing,the way that Frank was teased was heart breaking. The book really spoke to me in a meaningful, touching way. Many parts of the book were suspensful... poor little Frank. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to go on a thrilling adventurous ride with a brave duck. Funny Frank feels like a new member of the family <3
December 21, 2014
It was a very funny, really fast-paced and really easy children's chapter book. It had really well-written illustrations, really good humor, great characters and a very funny story. I haven't read this book in a very long time. This is one of the best and shortest Dick King-Smith books I've ever read in my whole life. I really recommend this book to kids and adults alike.
April 3, 2023
This was so funny and had me laughing and smiling loved the illustrations too
July 2, 2023
Not his best work. The whole thing was problem solving instead of character development or relationship based. Hated the ending.
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March 31, 2021All he thinks about are webbed feet, waterproof feathers, and the cool water of the pond. So when Frank takes a dip and nearly drowns, his mood turns foul. Luckily, he gets a little human help—in the form of a man-made wetsuit and a pair of flippers—and soon he's the speediest bird in the water.
It is an easter book to read if that is what you are looking for but overall it was good. I would give it 3 stars out of 5
It is an easter book to read if that is what you are looking for but overall it was good. I would give it 3 stars out of 5
August 13, 2019
Frank may have been born a chick but he thinks he is a duck! He watches the ducklings swim in the pond and longs to be with them. The trouble is that chickens don't have waterproof feathers or webbed feet so swimming is something they just can't do!
Jemima, Frank's human friend and her family figure out an outfit that allows Frank to swim. Something that helps him float and fins for his feet to paddly with. He is finally able to swim with the other ducklings!
After he grows a bit bigger he starts wondering if he wants to stay like a duck or be the chicken he is supposed to be.
This is a very short read (I read it while running a load of clothes in the washer) but enjoyable. Dick King-Smith is one of my favourite childrens' lit authors. He never disappoints. This is a good chapter book and also has illustrations.
Jemima, Frank's human friend and her family figure out an outfit that allows Frank to swim. Something that helps him float and fins for his feet to paddly with. He is finally able to swim with the other ducklings!
After he grows a bit bigger he starts wondering if he wants to stay like a duck or be the chicken he is supposed to be.
This is a very short read (I read it while running a load of clothes in the washer) but enjoyable. Dick King-Smith is one of my favourite childrens' lit authors. He never disappoints. This is a good chapter book and also has illustrations.
May 18, 2016
not my favrout book but hase a great plot
August 13, 2025
(2018) We love Dick King-Smith (he's right up there with Roald Dahl in our house) and we think he is so hilarious. Cameron read this one out loud to Mallory and me.
March 23, 2022
I was disappointed by this book. Very glad to be done reading it to my students. Frank was different and his mom practically tossed him aside and ignored him because he was different. Frank wanted to be a duck, so his human family helped him so that. I was expecting to laugh a lot during this book. I definitely didn’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2018
One of the few good chicken books out there that is really adorable. Highly recommend, but don't read into Franks pursuit of being a duck as an allegory for anything more than it is. A beautiful book about dreams.
September 20, 2023
My daughter checked this out from the library and I read it after her so we could both talk about it. I found it humorous and entertaining with it good ending. My daughter enjoyed it as well and it was a quick and easy read for her. I would definitely recommend this book to young readers.
May 14, 2017
A lovely little book for young children. Dick King-Smith is a great author. This audio book was read by Andrew Sachs, who is a very good narrator.
April 26, 2019
I like this book because it is very, very, very funny.It was about a chick that wanted to be a duck.
May 15, 2019
cutest duck ever
August 3, 2019
572 - 2019
December 4, 2021
A cute story about a Chicken who wants to be a duck. What I love is his commitment to being a duck. They don't make him change, he adapts and always has a part of being a duck with him.
November 19, 2022
A fast, funny read that I read aloud to my students.
October 20, 2024
Frank, the chicken wants to be a duck! It's such an amazing story that our 7 year old grandson found hilarious.
We read chapters each night, and he thoroughly enjoyed it.
We read chapters each night, and he thoroughly enjoyed it.
January 29, 2025
Second grade loved this story! They enjoyed seeing Frank in a wetsuit and thought he was hysterical!
May 2, 2025
AR 5.0
August 30, 2011
Funny Frank
This book would be suitable for children between the ages of seven and ten.
The story is about a chicken who wants to be a duck. As a result, he is not accepted by his mum, siblings and the other chickens on the farm. Instead, he spends most of his time by the pond wishing he could join in with the other ducklings.
Frank makes many attempts to run into the pond, however, he is saved by the farmer’s daughter, Jemima. With the help of Jemima’s mum, dad and uncle, who is a vet, they make a swimsuit from a hot-water bottle and flippers from rubber gloves to enable Frank to become the fastest swimmer in the pond.
As time passes, Frank discovers a new female chicken on the farm and finally accepts that chickens cannot swim. Whilst back on land, Frank saves his mum from being killed by a fox which subsequently means he is embraced by his family.
The moral of this story is that it doesn’t matter what you look like or what you want to become, you should never treat somebody unfavourably because of their aspirations and who they are. Despite having this important, underlying message for children of this age, creative and funny illustrations are used throughout to maximise enjoyment for the reader and to put across an important message in a light-hearted, fictional way.
This book would be suitable for children between the ages of seven and ten.
The story is about a chicken who wants to be a duck. As a result, he is not accepted by his mum, siblings and the other chickens on the farm. Instead, he spends most of his time by the pond wishing he could join in with the other ducklings.
Frank makes many attempts to run into the pond, however, he is saved by the farmer’s daughter, Jemima. With the help of Jemima’s mum, dad and uncle, who is a vet, they make a swimsuit from a hot-water bottle and flippers from rubber gloves to enable Frank to become the fastest swimmer in the pond.
As time passes, Frank discovers a new female chicken on the farm and finally accepts that chickens cannot swim. Whilst back on land, Frank saves his mum from being killed by a fox which subsequently means he is embraced by his family.
The moral of this story is that it doesn’t matter what you look like or what you want to become, you should never treat somebody unfavourably because of their aspirations and who they are. Despite having this important, underlying message for children of this age, creative and funny illustrations are used throughout to maximise enjoyment for the reader and to put across an important message in a light-hearted, fictional way.
September 13, 2011
Funny Frank is the story of a young chick that is not like all the others! Frank doesn’t want to peck around in the dust like the rest of the chicks he wants to swim with the ducks. The story tells how Frank overcomes many obstacles to follow his dream of being able to swim.
I think this story would be suitable for children aged 6-10. I like this story because of the underlying message that it is ok to be different. It shows how Frank overcomes the hostility of others (including his mother) to achieve his goals in life. It also teaches the lesson that if at first you do not succeed at something then you shouldn’t give up. I think this story would provide a good starting point to some class discussions eg. Differences , stereotypes, why does Frank’s mum not want him to behave like a duck?
I also like the use of certain language features in this story. For example, the repeated use of the title ‘Funny Frank’. This is used to make the reader consider the dual use of the word ‘funny’ to mean both something amusing or something peculiar. This could lead to the children thinking about other words that have different meanings.
Overall, this is a very funny story that I think children would find appealing and also be able to relate to if they have ever worried about not fitting in.
I think this story would be suitable for children aged 6-10. I like this story because of the underlying message that it is ok to be different. It shows how Frank overcomes the hostility of others (including his mother) to achieve his goals in life. It also teaches the lesson that if at first you do not succeed at something then you shouldn’t give up. I think this story would provide a good starting point to some class discussions eg. Differences , stereotypes, why does Frank’s mum not want him to behave like a duck?
I also like the use of certain language features in this story. For example, the repeated use of the title ‘Funny Frank’. This is used to make the reader consider the dual use of the word ‘funny’ to mean both something amusing or something peculiar. This could lead to the children thinking about other words that have different meanings.
Overall, this is a very funny story that I think children would find appealing and also be able to relate to if they have ever worried about not fitting in.
September 6, 2012
Young chick Funny Frank is a chick that’s formed his own personality and characteristics. He doesn’t want to peck all day on land; he’d rather play in the water all day long. He longs to swim and be like all the other ducks in the duck pond but he doesn’t have waterproofed feathers or webbed feet – two things a bird needs to swim. But with the help of his owners, he soon learns how to swim. His mother disapproves of this idea and finds him to be an embarrassment. She soon abandons her poor chick and he is soon left out to defend on his own.
This light – hearted book teaches us about the different obstacles we have to overcome while we are growing up and how to make our decisions, either them being right or wrong. It also teaches us about courage and bravery. I think this book is a good book for children to discuss aspirations and think about to think about their own aspirations. How will they meet their goal and what obstacles will they have to take to get there?
The book is written simply, using a combination of similes, openers and speech.
I think this book would be ideal for children in lower KS2. I think that this book will work as part of a guided reading session. Children are then able to discuss and share ideas about the book.
Characters
Jemima Tabb
Mum
Dad
Uncle Ted
Tom
Gertie
Mildred
The ducks
Funny Frank
Gorgeous
This light – hearted book teaches us about the different obstacles we have to overcome while we are growing up and how to make our decisions, either them being right or wrong. It also teaches us about courage and bravery. I think this book is a good book for children to discuss aspirations and think about to think about their own aspirations. How will they meet their goal and what obstacles will they have to take to get there?
The book is written simply, using a combination of similes, openers and speech.
I think this book would be ideal for children in lower KS2. I think that this book will work as part of a guided reading session. Children are then able to discuss and share ideas about the book.
Characters
Jemima Tabb
Mum
Dad
Uncle Ted
Tom
Gertie
Mildred
The ducks
Funny Frank
Gorgeous
April 30, 2010
This is the story: One chick out of a group of chickens is attracted to the water and wants to swim like a duck. He tries, but fails. So the farmer's wife makes him a special suit so he can swim wonderfully. All the chickens, including his own mother, think he is weird.
At first he is happy, but when he grows up, he becomes discontent. The answer? The farmer buys a female chicken (not an ordinary brown one, but a speckled one!!!) Frank and the chicken (whom he names "Gorgeous") fall instantly in love and he gives up his life as a duck. Oh, bleh. Honestly, what was Dick King-Smith thinking???
I was so looking forward to my first King-Smith story, as I have heard good things about him. Maybe some of his other books are good, but this one sucks. Or as the ducks in this story would say, "It sucks, man."
I am not really sure what it is trying to teach kids??? I think I prefer James Herriot!!!!
At first he is happy, but when he grows up, he becomes discontent. The answer? The farmer buys a female chicken (not an ordinary brown one, but a speckled one!!!) Frank and the chicken (whom he names "Gorgeous") fall instantly in love and he gives up his life as a duck. Oh, bleh. Honestly, what was Dick King-Smith thinking???
I was so looking forward to my first King-Smith story, as I have heard good things about him. Maybe some of his other books are good, but this one sucks. Or as the ducks in this story would say, "It sucks, man."
I am not really sure what it is trying to teach kids??? I think I prefer James Herriot!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2007
This was not one of my favorite Dick King-Smith books. I did not like the writing style as well and the story seemed unbelieveable;however, I think if I gave it a 2nd read that I would find that I would rate it higher.
One of the things that I did notice was the author's use of verbs, especially those that deal with ducks and chickens such as: quacking, splashing, flapping, swimming, wading, wagging, preening, floating, pecking, sploshing, squawking etc.
Children would learn a little about the habits of ducks and chickens from this book. They would also learn how to write with imagination-who has seen a chicken who wanted to be a duck and ends up wearing a make-shift wet suit out of a hot water bottle.
In the end it is love that brings "Frank", the chicken, who was a wanna-be-duck to his senses.
One of the things that I did notice was the author's use of verbs, especially those that deal with ducks and chickens such as: quacking, splashing, flapping, swimming, wading, wagging, preening, floating, pecking, sploshing, squawking etc.
Children would learn a little about the habits of ducks and chickens from this book. They would also learn how to write with imagination-who has seen a chicken who wanted to be a duck and ends up wearing a make-shift wet suit out of a hot water bottle.
In the end it is love that brings "Frank", the chicken, who was a wanna-be-duck to his senses.
December 10, 2012
This is by no stretch Dick King-Smith's best book but it's still an enjoyable tale for seven-ten year olds. Frank is a chicken chick but is desperate to swim with the ducks. To his Mum's horror, the family that own him turn him into a makeshift duck and Frank can swim all he wants.
My favourite thing about the book is the ending because it shares a valuable moral about growing up. Plus the idea of a swimming chicken is quite pleasing.
It's nothing particularly special but animal-loving children will enjoy it- the children I read this with certainly did!
My favourite thing about the book is the ending because it shares a valuable moral about growing up. Plus the idea of a swimming chicken is quite pleasing.
It's nothing particularly special but animal-loving children will enjoy it- the children I read this with certainly did!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews