Description About the Book Franny prefers bats and spiders to dolls and flowers, and loves inventing wonderfully weird gadgets like a toenail-fungus translator. Meet Franny K. Stein, the mad scientist who bravely battles monster squash for the sake of a friend, in this delightfully chaotic story of invention, adventure, friendship, and growing up. A Book That Looks Like Pure Fun—but Delivers Real Heart This is far more than a book meant simply for laughs. With its big, bold, and hilariously detailed illustrations and Franny's wonderfully odd antics, readers will find themselves giggling from page to page. But by the time they reach the end of Franny's story, they'll discover a warm and touching message beneath all the fun. Through the eyes of this mischievous, bright-eyed young scientist, children will grow their imaginations and learn the true meaning of friendship as Franny stumbles her way into unexpected adventures while trying to make friends. Along the way, readers will also come to understand and accept the differences between themselves and others—and that's the true heart of Franny's story. Franny is an innocent, endearing child who struggles with her own unique identity while trying hard to fit in and make friends. She faces the difficult decision of whether to change who she is to save her hard-won friendships, and even in the most awkward situations, she calmly figures out what she needs to do. She's a strong-willed, remarkable character with real backbone. Not a Stranger from a Faraway Place, But a Child Just Like the Ones Around Us In many ways, Franny resembles the children we see every day—kids who, instead of playing with friends after school, spend their evenings at academies and come home to play alone on the computer. Just like Franny, these children fill notebooks with doodles while worrying about making friends and figuring out who they are, and their minds race when faced with difficult choices. Children who read this book will relate to Franny's loneliness, reflect on what true friendship really means, and feel their hearts warmed as Franny finally finds real friends. It's our hope that young readers, inspired by Franny, will open their hearts, come to understand and accept differences between themselves and others, and make the effort to build genuine friendships. A Story That Captures Children's Hearts Everywhere, Regardless of Nationality This is the first children's book by popular American author and cartoonist Jim Benton, and every book in the series has become a bestseller beloved by children everywhere. It was selected as an Amazon Editors' Pick Book of the Year and received a 2004 Honor designation for the Gryphon Award from the Center for Children's Books. It has also been recommended as a fun read by the American Library Association and as a great family read by Family Fun magazine—proof of just how beloved this series is among readers. The vividly colored illustrations, Franny's wonderfully wacky inventions, and the fascinating science experiments throughout will capture children's attention right away. Combined with fast-paced, entertaining storytelling and a carefully polished translation, kids will find themselves completely absorbed in the fun of reading. Once you pick up a Franny K. Stein book, it's nearly impossible to put down.