You might have heard rumours yesterday that poor old Ashley Cole was recovering from his break-up with Cheryl Cole by dating The Saturdaysr' Frankie Sandford. According to The Sun, the pair had met at Whisky Mist a few weeks ago and had spent several cosy evenings together T"staying in, watching films and eating takeaway Nandosl". Takeaway Nandos? We never knew such a thing existed!
Whoever thought oranges could be so exciting? Patricia Polacco knows what something as simple as an orange on Christmas Eve can mean. Known for bringing families across the country heartwarming stories of friends and family, Patricia Polacco’s children’s books have been around for years. A prolific writer and skilled illustrator, this is yet another title that will bring a smile to readers’ faces and the comfort of getting a happy ending.
An Orange for Frankie features Frankie, a young boy awaiting the return of his father. Pa went off to Lansing and has promised to return with oranges for everyone. Frankie, his Ma, and his eight siblings wait eagerly for the sweet, delicious treats, but Pa still hasn’t come. The family busies themselves with Christmas preparations. Baking, decorating, and feeding the hobos that ride the train that passes by their house. With so many things to do, it helps take their mind off Pa, but not forever! A blizzard is whipping around and interfering with Pa’s progress. When Christmas Eve looms, Frankie and his family wonder – will Pa make it in time?
Though parents and kids alike will probably be able to guess the outcome of An Orange for Frankie, it still doesn’t do way with the tension that builds throughout the book. Still, kids will enjoy all the preparations the family makes, all the bright decorations and the delicious foods they make, and the warm looks they get from the men on the train when the family delivers the food. Polacco’s pencil-and-watercolor illustrations give the book a magical kind of vibrancy, with the oranges bright and colorful and all the intricate details from the popcorn on the tree to the shades in Frankie’s hair.
