What a great book! I remember this book from my childhood, and when my goddaughter was born I knew that I had to get it for her. A classic for all ages--truly stands the test of time.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with young kiddos.

I read this book to my daughter after her little brother was born 35 years ago; read it to her daughter (my granddaughter) six years ago after my grandson's birth; and plan to read it to my son's daughter as she awaits the birth of her first sibling. By the way, my children "ran away" under the dining room table, and so do my grandchildren. And we all believe that some badgers can talk, sing, and drink from bottles.

There are a lot of books out there to prepare older children for siblings, but this is one of our favorites. Frances has a new baby sister, and all of a sudden there are no more raisins for the oatmeal (Mother didn't have time to shop), and her blue dress isn't ironed (the yellow one is and Mother has a new ribbon for her hair, but Frances still declares, "Things are not very good around here anymore!") She decides to run away under the dining room table. I love the raised-voice discussion of the parents about what a wonderful and inspiring big sister Frances is and how it's just not the same without her. I've even been known to get tears in my eyes over the part where Mother Badger says, "Goodness knows I like babies. But a baby is not a family," and Father answers back, "Isn't that a fact. A family is everybody all together." Those words are what prompts Frances to come "home."

It's just a sweet book but has enough of Frances's trademark sassiness and the author's usual way of relating common early childhood problems in a humorous way. I recommend all the Frances books, but especially this one if you've got a new baby in the house or on the way.