Blog Tour: A Books with the Boy Review of Do Babies Wear Pyjamas by Fransie Frandsen

Today, S and I are joining forces to share a joint review of Do Babies Wear Pyjamas? by Fransie Frandsen.

About the Book

Mummy worries about pyjamas. Daddy’s ears are full of soap. And Mummy’s sister shouts out recipes with bananas. But what about Baby T? Join Alexander in his latest colourful quest to find the answer to the puzzling question… Do Babies wear pyjamas?

During Fransie’s career as an art psychotherapist, working with vulnerable children through art making, she became aware of the utmost importance of communication in forming healthy attachment and bonding between parents and children. Her series of children’s books, Alexander’s Questions, allow parents and children to explore the importance of talking and listening to each other through fabulously fun storytelling, paired with wordplay and humour. Fransie’s unique collage-style illustrations combine photographs and illustrations to build a multi-textured world.

Alongside her professional expertise, Fransie draws on her personal experience as mother as well as  her relationship with her children, who have collaborated on the series. The family’s West Highland terriers, known as ‘The Barkingtons’ also pose for their own character, The Tinster!

About the Author

Fransie Frandsen is a writer, illustrator and internationally celebrated fine artist. After completing her BA and qualification in in graphic design, Fransie earned a further degree in Art Psychotherapy in the UK. She practiced for several years in London working mainly with children and focusing on the attachment, bonding and communication between children and parents. It is the dynamics of this relationship that inspire her children’s books. Having lived in six different countries, Fransie takes inspiration for her art from her exposure to many cultures, as well as from her experience in working with troubled and marginalised individuals as an art psychotherapist. Fransie’s artwork has recently been exhibited in London, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid and Berlin.

Fransie currently lives and works in Switzerland together with her family and their two westies, ‘The Barkingtons’.

Find out more on Instagram @artfox.bookwolf | Twitter @artfoxbookwolf | www.fransiefrandsen.com

S’s Review:

Do Babies Wear Pyjamas? is about boy named Alexander who asks his mum “do babies wear pyjamas” and then tries to figure out the answer. Alexander asks lots of people the question and gets some really funny answers, including lots of recipes for bananas! I really liked the pictures in this book, especially the one where it had a box of cereal that was labelled “corn snakes” and there was an actual snake in the cereal bowl. I think this is a really good book to help younger children learn different words and what they mean. I think my little cousins would really enjoy reading this one.

Mum’s Review:

S might be 11 now, but you’re never too old to enjoy a picture book with your mam. We really enjoyed hearing the funny answers to Alexander’s questions (I liked dad with his ears full of soap the most as that’s something that would happen in our house). I had no idea there were so many recipes you could use bananas in! I did feel sorry for the mum though, who gets very stressed that she doesn’t know the answer to Alexander’s latest question. This will be relatable to any mum who has ever been asked a question they just didn’t know the answer to. We really enjoyed the pictures in this book. I love how Fransie combines illustrations with photo elements. You could spend so much time looking at the details in the pictures. The corn snakes made us both chuckle. This is a great book to use to talk to children about being curious and asking questions as well as thinking about different possible answers. We will definitely be sharing this with my niece and nephew next time we visit.

Thank you to Sofia at Midas PR for inviting us to join this blog tour and sending a review copy of the book.

 

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