Franklin and the Radio. (Franklin and Friends). Caitlin Drake Smith. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2014. 24 pp., pbk., $6.95. ISBN 978-1-77138-123-9. Subject Heading: Franklin (Fictitious character: Bourgeois)-Juvenile fiction. Preschool-grade 2 / Ages 3-7. Review by Claire Perrin. **** /4

One day, Franklin’s family is sorting through some of their old things. Some items will go to the junkyard, and others will be given away. Franklin decides that his old, broken radio should go to the junkyard. The Fox family operates the junkyard and decides to take the old radio and fix it up. Repainted and decorated with stars, the radio is brought back to life. When Franklin sees it, he can’t help but feel disappointed that it is no longer his.

“Ta-da!” said Fox, holding up a radio. It was painted blue and red, and there were stars all over it.

“Wow!” said Franklin. “Is that the same radio I gave you?”

“Yep!” said Fox. “My dad helped me fix it, and then I decorated it with some paint, stickers and ribbon.”

“That’s the best radio ever!” said Rabbit.

“Yeah!” everyone else agreed.

“Sure is...” Franklin said.

     Fox senses Franklin’s regret and generously gives the radio back to Franklin. However, this doesn’t make Franklin happy either. He doesn’t feel quite right having the radio. A visit from his aunt shows him that sometimes giving something away can make us feel happy too. Franklin decides to give the radio back to Fox, an action which makes them both happy.

      This book has an environmental lesson as well as a moral one. The importance of recycling and reusing items is addressed at the beginning of the story. Fox and Franklin both show empathy and kindness in the rest of the story. They both want each other to feel happy and are willing to give the radio back until they realize that they can both enjoy dancing and listening to music together. The concept of fairness is nicely illustrated when Fox ends up with the radio that Franklin gave away.

Highly Recommended.

Claire Perrin is an elementary teacher in Toronto, ON.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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