Good Morning Franny, Good Night Franny

Good Morning Franny, Good Night Franny tells us about the brief friendship between wheelchair-bound Franny and immigrant Ting, who speaks marginal English.

This book tries to make children believe that being in a wheelchair means nothing special. In an effort to accentuate the sameness of Franny to children everywhere, no explanation is given as to why she is in a wheelchair — surely just about the first question that a child would ask. Then Franny goes into hospital for tests. For what? What were the results?

A great deal of warmth in Franny’s life comes from Ting, an Asian immigrant struggling to learn English. When Franny comes out of the hospital, Ting is gone. Where? What happened? Oh well, all ends “happily” when Franny finds the messages “Good Morning Franny” and “Good Night Franny” painted on the sidewalk.

The illustrations are bold and well designed, but done with such a greyed palette that the overall effect is incredibly dreary. Perhaps that was an intentional reflection of the story? A thoroughly unsatisfying book.