Izzy and Frank

K-Gr 2--In this parent-free story, Izzy lives in a lighthouse and has a carefree existence with her best friend Frank, a seagull. Together they explore and have grand adventures amid the wind, waves, and sea that are part of her island setting. Then Izzy moves to the city where she hates her new sharp-cornered house and the noisy city streets. She doesn't understand the games the other children play and is told at school to "wear shoes" and "sit still." She misses the salt and sea, but mostly she misses Frank. One day she wakes up to find him tugging on her hair. Together they boldly explore her city and play games with new friends who appreciate not sitting still or wearing shoes. Now Izzy wakes to the sounds of the sea (via a shell) and the city. Using an appealing color palette of aqua, tan, red, and black, Beer's illustrations deftly depict the setting and the friendship between Izzy and Frank. Careful readers will see the foreshadowing in the illustrations along with amusing details like Frank's fisherman's cap. VERDICT A story of friendship, loss, change, and moving forward, with an an amusing seagull to boot. Good for storytime or individual reading.--Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Lib., Troy, NH

"An entertaining collaboration between author Katrina Lehman and illustrator Sophie Beer, Izzy and Frank is an original, utterly charming, and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children."

—Children's Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review

"This is a story about a special friendship, but also about starting over and learning to make a new life for yourself... [A] wonderful tool to use with children who might be starting a new adventure—not just moving, but maybe starting a new school or meeting a new group of friends. It is a great way to show how you can still hold something dear to your heart while also learning to embrace and enjoy something new."
—Youth Services Book Review

"This is a lovely story about a unique friendship between a little girl and her seagull [that] also touches on the trauma of moving house and starting a new school." FOUR STARS
—Good Reading