Franklin’s Big Book of Stories: A Collection of 6 First Readers. (Kids Can Read). Sharon Jennings. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2013. 184 pp., hardcover, $12.95. ISBN 978-1-77138-028-7. Subject Heading: Franklin (Fictitious character: Bourgeois)-Juvenile fiction. Contents: Franklin and the Scooter – Franklin and the Contest – Franklin and the Bubble Gum – Franklin and the Stopwatch – Franklin and the Magic Show – Franklin and the Cookies. Preschool-grade 3 / Ages 4-8. Review by Carrie Subtelny. **** /4

"Franklin can tie his shoes. Franklin can count by twos." These are the famous lines found at the beginning of each tale in the animated television series, as well as in each storybook. These famous sentences are repeated at the beginning of each story, igniting nostalgia and creating great flow and connectedness throughout the series.

      If the television show theme song starts humming from your lips as you leaf through this and other Franklin books (performed by our very own Bruce Cockburn), then you have been charmed by this delightful turtle and his community of forest friends. Franklin stories are rich with everyday follies that many children experience - from finding a lucky penny to figuring out how to share a bike with a friend. The author has chosen a warm and compassionate character to show young readers that their life experiences are valued.

     The Franklin series is a perfect addition to bedroom and schoolroom shelves, preferably situated near large pillows in a cozy corner, enveloped by soft lighting. The stories provide the context for kids to think about day-to-day decision making and how the power of friendship is a constant force in our lives.

Franklin can tie his shoes. Franklin can count by twos. And Franklin can do lots of things that are lots of fun. But not everyone thinks all the things Franklin can do are lots of fun. This is a problem. (From “Franklin and the Stopwatch”)

     The story continues with Franklin’s discovery of a stopwatch and how he decides to time everything in his day, including all of the tasks his friends enjoy at the playground. Franklin learns how to curb his enthusiasm as he realizes how timing everything was affecting his friends.

     Regardless of your stage as a reader, this collection can be enjoyed in a read-aloud or silent reading context.

Highly Recommended.

Carrie Subtelny is a literacy consultant, instructor and tutor in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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