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 TabbMumDadUncle TedTomGertieMildredThe ducksFunny FrankGorgeous
Frank is a chicken. He knows that. He knows that chickens are supposed to run around pecking at the ground. But he just can’t. All he wants to do is swim – like the ducks. Is that too much to ask?But Frank is in for a big surprise the first time he tries to swim. Because, however much he wants to, he can’t! But Jemima, the little girl who rescues him from the water, seems to be sympathetic. Can she find a way for him to swim?Discussion.Funny Frank is funny. Very funny. It cracked me up. It was in the theme of King-Smith’s most famous work, Babe, which is about a pig that thinks he’s a dog. Well, here’s the chicken who thinks he’s a duck!The story is entirely fanciful. Jemima and her family decide to help Frank out in his dreams, so they make him a wet-suit and flippers. He zips around in these, outdistancing the ducks, and living as a part of the duck clan. In the end, he becomes distracted and abandons these accoutrements. The reason for his distraction is…Jemima and Co. decide to find a girlfriend for Frank. When she arrives, they flirt together – she calls him “handsome” and “lover boy”, while he chases her around and calls her “gorgeous”.Conclusion. Funny, but of no nutritional value.Visit The Blithering Bookster to read more reviews!www.blitheringbookster.com
What do You think about Funny Frank (2003)?
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.
—Erin
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!
—Dan
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
—ABC
