Bread and Jam for Frances

Summary: Bread and Jam for Frances is about a little girl who loves jam. She will only eat jam, but realizes that she would like to eat other foods once her mom only provides her with bread and jam. Frances then realizes that she would like to eat other foods instead of the same old bread and jam over and over again.

Bib Info: Hoban, R. (1964). Bread and jam for Frances. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.

Interest Level: K-3

Impression: I think it is important that children are willing to try new foods as they grow up. Some children may relate to this book in that they relatively like to eat the same types of foods over.

Reviews and Awards: Booklist, Horn Book, Elementary School Library Collection 06/01/00, Reference and Research Book News

Reviews: Frances is determined to eat only bread and jam for every meal. She likes it so much she makes up rhymes in honor of her favorite food. She also makes up rhymes about food she does not like. She sings about the egg her parents want her to try: "I do not like the way you slide, I do not like your soft inside…" However, "Jam on biscuits, jam on toast, jam is the thing I like most…" Her parents encourage her to try veal cutlets, chicken salad, and spaghetti and meatballs. At school, her friend Albert enthusiastically takes out a variety of foods from his lunchbox, but, thanks to her parents' wisdom, it is not long before Frances willingly asks for something to eat besides bread and jam. Being picky about food is a trait to which many children can relate, and new readers will enjoy seeing how Frances learns to appreciate new foods. The use of repetition and rhyming create a sense of predictability and fun, and the simple yet warm and expressive illustrations bring this story to life. This is part of the "I Can Read" series.
Ryles, V. (n.d.). [Review of the book Bread and jam for Frances, by R. Hoban]. Children’s Literature. Retrieved from: http://www.childrenslit.com/

Frances the badger always faces life with an original song on her lips. She composes with calculation, as in Bedtime for Frances and A Baby Sister for Frances, leaving her alert parents to get the musical message. This time Mother and Father Badger guide her through one of the most maddening stages of childhood. It all starts when Frances croons to her breakfast egg that "I do not like the way you slide,/ I do not like your soft inside..." and makes inroads on the bread and jam. Frances passes up some mouthwatering menus that day and sticks to herself imposed diet with perfect juvenile logic: she won't try anything new because "... when I have bread and jam, I always know what I am getting and I am always pleased." From that point on, Frances gets nothing but bread and jam and her eating problem is completely cured by the saturation method. The lunch she carries to school becomes really chi-chi-gourmet. The Hobans have done it again: a sly text attacking a real juvenile problem and attractive illustrations.
[Review of the book Bread and jam for Frances, by R. Hoban]. (1964). Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from: http://www.kirkusreviews.com/

Use in library setting: Collaborate with the classroom teacher to incorporate this book linking it to science and nutrition. The children can also create their own song about their favorite food like Frances does about Jam.