| ________________
CM . . .
. Volume X Number 14 . . . . March 12, 2004
For those already familiar with the previous four Franklin sticker books, Franklin's Easter essentially offers more of the same although this version seems to be slightly more craft
As noted in other reviews of these sticker books, their consumable nature likely disqualifies them as library purchases; however, some young Franklin afficionados will enjoy playing with them in their homes. Recommended. Dave Jenkinson teaches courses in children's and adolescent literature in the Faculty of Education, the University of Manitoba.
To comment
on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal
use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any
other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
NEXT REVIEW |TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - March 12, 2004. AUTHORS | TITLES | MEDIA REVIEWS | PROFILES | BACK ISSUES | SEARCH | CMARCHIVE | HOME |
oriented. The two pages of reusable stickers have been moved from their previous position in the middle of the book and are now found immediately inside the book's covers where they wrap around the remaining 16 pages. The front glossy flap presents what could be a school's art room where Fox and Beaver are colouring Easter eggs. The opening foldout offers a rural village street scene where an Easter parade may be about to take place while the final page sees Franklin having a picnic in his back yard after "harvesting" Easter eggs. The 32 stickers, which consist of characters from the Franklin books, plus objects like a basket of eggs, "fly" cupcakes, paints and crayons, can be added to the glossy pages as children try to develop their own storylines for the three scenes. Easter does not offer quite the same range of fun activities as did, for example, Christmas. Although many of the animals are wearing their new Easter bonnets, that practice, along with the concept of an Easter parade, is really not very child-centred.
The 14 remaining pages contain the now expected 11 activities plus an "Answers" page. A maze, word scramble, word search, spot the difference, Easter egg hunt, secret code and an untangling of the kite lines constitute the principal activities. Though one page is labeled "Colouring Fun," because all of the illustrations are done as line art, the entire book can function as a colouring book. The younger end of the book's audience will need adult assistance in completing both the "Spring Flowers" craft and the recipe for creating "Franklin's Easter Egg Nests." The book's final activity, four egg holders which are to be cut out, is unfortunately placed back-to-back with the answer page.