Francis, the Little Fox

PreS-Gr 4—This confusing book begins, "a handsome and well-mannered fellow, Francis is always well dressed. Even on laundry days." Francis is pictured wearing a tuxedo top. The following spread reads, "Most people wear any old things to wash their favorite outfits, but not Francis." Only three of the seven animals pictured are performing actions that could be related to doing laundry. Then, readers learn that since their move to an apartment, Francis and his father must now go to a Laundromat. The little fox is uncomfortable until he realizes that the outing will give him time away from his noisy little sister. No adult is seen caring for Lola as father and son make their escape. At the Laundromat, the owner's granddaughter, Lily Rain Boots, engages in destructive behavior, flooding her grandfather's business with soap bubbles, frightening his cat, and scaring a customer, thereby jeopardizing the man's livelihood. When everyone goes to search for the cat, the little girl feels mildly guilty, then can't resist being mischievous one more time. When Francis and his father arrive back home, they discover a customer's "giant underpants" in their laundry. One has to wonder why Lily's nasty behavior should be considered amusing as her pranks are offensive and she is totally unlikable. A washout.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ