Hank Meets Frank

Hank can be quite naughty, so when he goes to visit his sweet cousin, Frank, he is told to behave. But Frank isn't as innocent as he seems. In fact, he's even naughtier than Hank! Things soon escalate as the two go up against each other.
What I Liked: it has something of a darker humor to it that I would have loved as a kid. Hank and Frank's facial expressions throughout are hilarious.
What Left Me Wanting More: This is essentially a picture book so we don't have a lot of information on the two characters, which is a shame, but the story is easy to follow.
Final Verdict: A fun, silly read that will have kids laughing. It even turns the tables on the reader at the end. Definitely a book for kids who like pranks.

HANK MEETS FRANK is a silly picture book about expectations and mischief. Frank is visiting Hank, and though everyone believes that Frank is cute and can do no wrong, everyone asks Hank to be on his best behavior. When pranks start happening, it seems that Hank is getting blamed for what Frank is doing. Eventually, it becomes clear and they have a tussle. At the end, they team up to play a prank on the reader.

What I loved: This is ultimately a very silly book that children can relate to. In different settings, elementary school aged readers will have likely observed or experienced the feeling of different expectations of behavior between different people - and how some people are viewed as mischief-makers or not. The story eventually turns this around, but in the meantime, the blame is misplaced and children will understand this disconnect and why it is problematic.

The story does not go into a lot of detail to explain or expand on these behaviors, but it keeps it light and silly. Children will love to giggle at the antics. Bright colors and simple illustrations keep the story focused, and the text itself is inviting and speaking to the characters from the outside - a unique element that works well in picture books read aloud.

What left me wanting more: As a small thing, there is no real justice for Hank who took the fall for something he didn't do. It would have been great for others to see and acknowledge that they were in the wrong for judging him harshly, but life is also not always fair like this.

Final verdict: Overall, HANK MEETS FRANK is a silly picture book that elementary school aged readers will enjoy about expectations and light rivalries.

Frank is visiting his Cousin Hank, whom everyone believes is sweet, so they all encourage Hank to be on his best behavior. Unfortunately for Hank, Frank pulls a prank, and Hank gets blamed for it, which starts a battle of one-upping each other. This continues until someone intervenes and stops their antics, or do they?

What I Liked: This book opens by introducing you to Frank and letting you know that his cousin Frank is visiting. This book makes it clear that Frank has been a bit of a problem in the past when Hank visits; therefore, it is surprising to find out that things aren’t quite as they seem. This book will have you holding onto your sides as you wait to see if Hank and Frank are going to get caught with their pranks.

The illustrations throughout this book add character to the humorous antics of Hank and Frank. The colors used are vibrant, and the backgrounds do a great job of highlighting the important pieces of each illustration. The words on each page are visible and come to life through the illustrations, making it feel like you are watching a movie short play out in real time.

Final Verdict: Hank Meets Frank is a fun and humorous story that children ages 3 and up will enjoy as they relate to the relationship that these cousins have with one another. Children will laugh as everyone believes that Hank is a troublemaker, while Frank gets away with everything. This book is perfect for siblings who might have similar dynamics as Frank and Hank do.