Frankie and Friends: Breaking News

Frankie’s mama is a top journalist and she has to go away for a while, to cover breaking news. Frankie, her sister Raven and Dad are all very proud of Mama, but they do miss her while she’s away. Frankie wants to be a journalist just like her mama, and she and her toys make their own news show. But what’s that crying sound she can hear? Perhaps her first breaking news story will come from her own house? 

This sweet chapter book is heart-warming, with gentle humour, while also conveying age-appropriate information about journalism, which is no mean feat. Frankie’s toys bicker slightly, which provides the humour, and Frankie herself is a kind, determined character. Mama is a wonderful role model – a loving and hard-working, successful Black woman – and there’s no guilt directed towards a working mother. There are cute black-and-white illustrations on every spread, and short chapters, meaning that this is ideal for newly confident readers, or for reading together. Charming.