Happy Publication Day to Fransie Frandsen for Do Babies Wear Pyjamas, an Alexander’s Questions book. Many thanks to Sofia Saghir from Midas for inviting me on the blogtour and for my lovely gifted copy.
My thoughts
I really like the illustrations in the book – Fransie’s clear line drawings of the characters blended with collage style images are really enchanting and definitely reminiscent of Lauren Child. There are lots of things to spot and look at on each page and the colour palette is gorgeous. The pictures are creative and amusing with little touches like the baby cutting the dogs hair, a box of corn snakes on the breakfast table and the artistic picture of…cheese, pickle and bread on the wall?
I also like the title of the book on the floor of the baby’s room. The text is a mix of sizes with some phrases repeated and the story is lighthearted. I love the way the author has taken the concept of communication and questioning and represented it in an amusing way through the eyes of a child. This is a really enjoyable, engaging book that can be enjoyed by children and parents alike.
About the book
Celebrated author-illustrator Fransie Frandsen returns with the latest instalment in her beautifully original picture book series, Alexander’s Questions. Do Babies Wear Pyjamas is a quirky, colourful quest for curious little ones with a playful sense of humour – and a perfect gift for Mother’s Day.
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?
‘Young children still have a wonderfully unrestricted view of the world and their place in it. Story telling and art making helps children create a new skill set for expressing their feelings, communicating and interacting with the world around them.’ Fransie Frandsen
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’s 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!
In March, a bespoke boxset of all four titles in the Alexander’s Questions series will also be published – Do Grannies Have Green Fingers? Do Daddies Have Ants in their Pants? Are Mummies Scared of Monsters? Do Babies Wear Pyjamas? This beautiful new boxset is priced at £29.99 and is the perfect gift for little ones.
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 |http://www.fransiefrandsen.com
Praise for Fransie Frandsen
“The illustrations are the real treat. Collages made of photographs and illustrations, provide brilliantly fun and engaging visual narration… this book will doubtless keep both parent and child amused and entertained with its quirky originality.”
Press Association, Children’s Book of the Week
“A fresh approach to looking at figurative language through misconceptions and fun… the artwork is vibrant, the illustrations are fun, bold and colourful.
A very enjoyable read.” Reading Zone
“Her work as an art psychotherapist has given her so much insight… it showcases all of Frandsen’s skills in her field.” Lotus Writing Therapy
“Frandsen’s first book is a worthy investment, not only for its charming story but for the details hidden on each page, allowing curious minds to spot something new and different with every read.” Armadillo
“A highly amusing read with Frandsen’s signature unique illustrations,
which never fail to captivate.” Biblio Babble
“I love the graphic design and collage style of the illustrations, reminiscent of a cross between Lauren Child and Nick Sharratt.” It’s All About Stories
“It reads well and it looks beautiful too.” BBC Radio
Green Reads Books 
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