Frank and Bean



Last updated Thursday, June 6, 2024

Author: Jamie Michalak
Illustrator: Bob Kolar
Date of Publication: 2019
ISBN: 0763695599
Grade Level: 1st    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2024

Synopsis: When the introspective Frank meets the gregarious Bean, can they find a way to make beautiful music together?

Frank likes peace and quiet. He likes his tent, his pencil, and writing in his secret notebook. Bean likes noise. He likes his bus, his trumpet - toot, toot! - and making music. Loud music. But Bean is missing something: he does not have words. What will happen if Frank shares his words with Bean?

Note to readers:
•  This might be a good book to use different voices when reading the parts of Frank and Bean.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Do you think Frank and Bean are friends? Why or why not?
•  What do you imagine Frank and Bean do together?

Vocabulary
•  Spork - an eating utensil combining features of a spoon and a fork.
•  Gong - a large piece of metal shaped like a plate that makes a loud ringing sound when struck with a stick or a hammer.
•  Tooting - to make the quick, short sound of a whistle.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Why do you think the frog, the owl, and the crickets do not say good night to Frank?
•  Bean plays the trumpet and drums. What instrument would you like to play?
•  What do you timagine Frank is writing in his secret notebook?

Craft ideas:
•  The chilldren can make sock or paper bag puppets of Frank and Bean.
•  The children can draw Frank and Bean.

Special activities:
•  The children can write poems of their own like Frank does.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!