Francine Francine the Beach Party Queen!

Francine is a sweet and goofy dog whose rather boring and insensitive family doesn't appreciate her. High-spirited and curious, she gets into all sorts of trouble. Does Francine have a nose for mischief, or is she just looking for love and acceptance? Eventually she decides she's had enough and leaves. "I want to be able to act like a dog," she says. "If I have to I'll travel to France or to Prague!" This upbeat, compassionate story in rhymed verse teaches kindness toward animals, and the trademark computerized collages by Audrey Colman -- illustrator of Walter the Farting Dog, a New York Times bestseller and Children's Book Sense 76 selection -- enhance the lesson.