Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Frank and Teddy Make Friends. by Louise Yates
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 7
Random House UK, 2011 ISBN: 978-0224083690
Professor Frank Mouse is a very clever inventor. Working alone in his home in the shed, Frank makes and mends all kinds of things. One day Frank looks outside and he seems that many animals are making and mending things, just as he does. The difference is that they, unlike him, are not alone. They have friends and family members to help them.
Poor Frank is too shy to try to find a friend of his own, so he does the next best thing. Frank sets about making a friend for himself, and soon – after much hard work – his friend, Teddy, is all ready.
Frank is delighted with Teddy, though Teddy wishes he were more handy and more able to join Frank in his making and mending work. One day, when Frank is out, Teddy tries to “make something by himself” as a surprise for Frank. Poor Teddy is so clumsy that the only thing he is able to make is a mess. What will Frank think when he sees what Teddy has done?
In this delightful picture book, we meet a very intelligent mouse who has a lot to learn about friends and friendship. Thankfully, he creates Teddy, who has a big heart, and who knows all about how to make friends.
With warm and often sweetly funny illustrations, and charming characters, this picture book is a title that children will want to look at again and again.
