Frangoline and the Midnight Dream

K-Gr 2—Frangoline is a very good girl, usually. But in the "deepest dark of night," she sneaks from her room to wreak havoc on the world. "I'll do exactly as I please! I'm Frangoline!" Ignoring the Moon's words of caution, "She tore around upon the grass,/Blowing raspberries as she passed." Next she awakens and scares off a slew of fierce forest creatures, including a bear, a fox, and a skunk. Finally, Frangoline goes too far. She dances upon the churchyard tombstones, waking the ghosts, who then chase her as she makes her escape up the steeple and onto the Moon's head. From there she apologizes to those she has harassed, and her new friends tuck her safely into bed where she promises to be good, "at least until tomorrow night!" The fun-to-read rhyming text is depicted in various fonts and sizes and is well integrated with the color illustrations. Elliott's use of texture, detail, clear expressions, and splashes of white creates a spooky atmosphere as befits the story. Children will identify with Frangoline's wild side and her plan to be good—at least for a while.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH