Francy and Friends reviews
FRANCY AND FRIENDS: BOOKS 1 & 2
Author: Jen Anderson
Illustrated: Stuart Smith
HSM Publishing
Book 1
Francy was such a fearful firefly and so afraid of Sneaky Seagull who wanted Francy for dessert that she cried until her light went out. Trapped in the dark she meets up with Byron the Blessing Bee who teaches Francy how to trust and live life God’s way and everyone is happy - that is, except Sneaky.
Jen Anderson has written Francy the Fearful Firefly as a teaching tool for parents and teachers of pre-school and early primary age group. This hard cover book with bright and colourful illustrations by Stuart Smith could be just what you are seeking if your child is fearful and you are looking for a Scriptural aid to help them develop trust.
Author's comment: The Francy series was written to aid in Christian discussion of abstract concepts with infants and primary aged children up to around Year 4. I recommend this book for school aged children up to 10 years.
Book 2
Lenny was little lemur so loose with the truth that he lied when it would have been easier to be honest. He kept lying until Sneaky Seagull out-lied him and tricked him into snaring Francy Firefly and so he learned what it feels like to be lied to and deceived. Teach your pre-schooler sound Biblical truths as he or she catches up with old friends Byron Bee, Francy Firefly and nasty Sneaky Seagull in Lenny the Lying Lemur which is the second book in the series Francy and Friends. Lenny had some hard lessons to learn but when he learned to be truthful he also gained some good and true friends.
Once again author Jen Anderson and illustrator Stuart Smith have combined to produce a quality hard cover colourful book for the pre-schooler and lower primary age group.
DS
LENNY THE LYING LEMUR: TEACHING CHILDREN TO TELL THE TRUTH
Jen Anderson
HSM Publishing
Following the same structural approach as its sister volume Francy the Firefly, book 2 in this series introduces Lenny, a mendacious lemur, and Captain Podgybutt, the chief navigator of SS Trustworthy. Slimey the Seagull’s comical antics and a vibrant circus ring should appeal to young readers. It takes Lenny quite some time to learn about the hurtfulness of telling lies. The Bible story of Joseph and his eleven brothers is included. This story has the same structure and attractive presentation of its predecessor Francy the fearful firefly. An accompanying web page at www.ru4kidz.com.au/Page17.html has downloadable colouring pages. ACLA
FRANCY THE FEARFUL FIREFLY
Jen Anderson
Illus: Stuart Smith
HSM Publishing
This is a sweet little story that sets a backdrop for some deep lessons about God with characters that will appeal to young children. Assisted by the colourful illustrations, the animal characters relate to children’s experiences and imaginations.
Francy the Firefly is focused on important things like new shoes and dancing, when she is thrust into some frightening experiences. Being chased by a hungry seagull, Francy ends up in a dark beehive. She meets Byron the Blessing Bee who gives Francy a treasure trove of lessons about trusting God. Francy flies off happily trusting God to help her conquer her fear.
A vista of concepts can be brought out from this book: from David and Goliath to prayer, God as our helper, or even bullying. Parents or teachers may like to choose one concept per reading to talk further about. Children may need to express some of their own feelings and experiences to link these ideas to their own lives, but they will remember the pictures and the idea that Francy felt better when she chose to trust God.
Fear and trust are by nature fairly abstract concepts and this presents a difficulty when talking about them to young children. Jen Anderson’s story overcomes this with everyday experiences based in the physical world that guide Francy’s adventures. Talking insects and a seagull who likes cold chips appeal to children’s imagination. These characters, so beautifully illustrated by Stuart Smith, pull the story together.
By following Francy’s adventures, children can learn to turn to God for help. Together with wise, supportive listening, this book is a starting point to guide children in the right direction with their fears.
AC
FRANCY THE FEARFUL FIREFLY
Jen Anderson
Illus: Stuart Smith
HSM Publishing
I read this book to two prep classes during Religious Education. The pictures are wonderful—big, simple, colourful, engaging. They do a better job of telling the story than the words.
There are too many words for the target audience of pre-schoolers. They lost interest half way through when the ideas became more complicated. With the second class I stopped reading as they became restless even earlier and told the story from the pictures.
It may have been better in a one-on-one situation or perhaps with more explanation and interaction. I planned less than 10 minutes for it which didn't allow for that. The ‘Fancy Francy’ and the ‘Blimey Slimey’ worked well.
DH
Author's comment: The Francy series was written to aid in Christian discussion of abstract concepts with infants and primary aged children up to around Year 4. I recommend this book for school aged children up to 10 years.
LENNY THE LYING LEMUR
Jen Anderson
Illus: Stuart Smith
Design: Emma Scott
HSM Publishing
Francy the Firefly and Byron the Bee are back on another adventure with a new friend, Lenny the Lemur. Second in the series Francy and Friends, this book is designed to teach children the importance of telling the truth, and how it can affect others when we lie.
Lenny almost betrays his new friend Francy to Slimey the Seagull. When he realizes that Slimey intends to eat Francy, he rescues her. Byron the Bee’s lesson features a summarised version of the story of Joseph and his brothers, illustrated in Stuart Smith’s colourful, bold style. The Bible story leads to Lenny realizing that his lying has hurt people.
The characters are straightforward with feelings and experiences children can relate to. They are enhanced by the facial expressions of Stuart Smith’s illustrations, which have black outlining around solid, bright colours. You get to see Francy the Firefly’s little house (watch for Byron peeping through the window).
Of course, you can visit the website, www.francythefirefly.com for information on new books coming out, photos and some cute on line games based on the series. Aimed at preschool to lower primary aged children, but anyone who likes cute characters would have fun with them. Collect ‘Francys’ as you try to get through the maze without crashing against the sides, or collect honey with Bryon before he drowns in the honey you drop!
The lesson in this book is couched in cute characters and their adventures, but is not so subtle as to be missed by young children. It directly addresses the issue of lying and why we shouldn’t do it, and has a happy ending for Lenny.
According to the back cover, there is another book in the series coming out soon…check the website for details.
AC
FRANCY THE FEARFUL FIREFLY: TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT FEAR
Jen Anderson
HSM Publishing
Stuart Smith’s bold depiction of Francy and her taunter Slimey the Seagull really catch the reader’s attention. A third character Byron the Blessing Bee, a rather preachy mentor, is equally eye catching. A hungry Slimey targets Francy for an evening snack but stumbles comically. Byron consoles the frightened firefly with a reassuring Bible story. The characters’ emotions are effectively portrayed but the text lacks the succinctness of a good picture book. This and the six pages of Bible story and its exposition dilute the tension of the story and lessen the impact of the ending. This large hardback is an attractive book that might be best used in segments with interactive discussion. The printable activities and online games on the series website www.ru4kidz.com.au/index.html provide extra educational support. NS
FRANCY THE FEARFUL FIREFLY (FRANCY AND FRIENDS BK. 1)
Jen Anderson
Illustrated by Stuart Smith
HSM Publishing
In this picture book for 3 – 5 year olds, Francy the firefly learns to trust God to protect her so that she doesn’t have to be afraid. It is a nice little story, with bold, colourful illustrations. WN
LENNY THE LYING LEMUR (FRANCY AND FRIENDS BK.2)
Jen Anderson
Illustrated by Stuart Smith
HSM Publishing
Picture book: 3-5. Lenny the Lemur learns that telling lies can lead to trouble and hurt other people. He also learns that God doesn’t like ‘lying lips’. WN
LENNY THE LYING LEMUR: TEACHING CHILDREN TO TELL THE TRUTH
Jen Anderson
HSM Publishing
Following the same structural approach as its sister volume Francy the Firefly, book 2 in this series introduces Lenny, a mendacious lemur, and Captain Podgybutt, the chief navigator of SS Trustworthy. Slimey the Seagull’s comical antics and a vibrant circus ring should appeal to young readers. It takes Lenny quite some time to learn about the hurtfulness of telling lies. The Bible story of Joseph and his eleven brothers is included. This story has the same structure and attractive presentation of its predecessor Francy the fearful firefly. An accompanying web page at www.ru4kidz.com.au/Page17.html has downloadable colouring pages. ACLA
Francy the Firefly is available online from one of our sponsors. Or at your local Christian bookstore. Buy it today and support your local Christian bookstore. For a list of Aussie bookstores check out the Christian Booksellers of Australia Association.