Frantic Families
Wendy Stredder
language
(, Feb. 8, 2012)
Frantic Families aims to reflect the importance of family life, especially in frantic and unusual situations. It also shows that two very different families can have more in common than they think! It was written for children aged between eight and eleven and describes a long weekend in the life of two families with every day stresses and strains! The thought of a holiday keeps both families going and by chance they have both chosen the same destination.The Price family live in Chester, England; the Madison family live in Toronto, Canada and they all meet in New York. The meeting of the two families is completely coincidental. Both have planned a family holiday in New York. Someone shouts βJoeβ and the two βJoesβ, one from each family, turn around at the same moment - a starting point for conversation.The Madison family become the dominant family as they offer to show the Price family places they have been to before. Excitement and anticipation takes over as the children plan what to do next. Should they see the Empire States Building first or Times Square? Would there be time to shop and visit museums? For a few minutes they seem to be going round in circles! They all laugh!They spend the day rushing around, talking and finding out about each other. They enjoy the moment and seeing all the amazing sights. We are left wondering whether a chance meeting may lead to further developments.