Storytime with Franklin: A Collection of Six Favorites

by Paulette Bourgeois, Brenda Clark (Illustrator)

A special collection of six perennial classics, starring every child's favorite turtle, Franklin. Franklin the Turtle is beloved around the world for the way he faces dilemmas familiar to all children and, with the help and support of his friends and family, finds his own way to deal with them. Franklin's ability to express his feelings, try new things and show his vulnerability make him a trusted friend to young children. This special edition will feature six Franklin Classic

Franklin in the Dark
Franklin Goes to School
Franklin's New Friend
Franklin Rides a Bike
Franklin Goes to the Hospital
Franklin Says I Love You

It's the best of Franklin - all in one place! Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark are the author-illustrator team who created the Franklin the Turtle series. This volume features six favorite titles from that series, all timeless classics, with touching storylines and richly colored art that's chock-full of the small details that make up a young child's day-to-day life. Franklin has universal appeal - adored by children for his relatability and kindness, and by adults for the gentle, reassuring guidance he provides. More than 65 million copies of Franklin books have been sold in over 30 languages.

Genres: Picture Books

184 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bourgeois graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational therapy from the University of Western Ontario in 1974. She was a psychiatric occupational therapist for three years before deciding to focus on her writing. She studied journalism at Carlton University then worked as a reporter for the Ottawa Citizen and CBC Television. She became a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C. contributing pieces to Chatelaine, Canadian Living, Reader's Digest and Maclean's. She returned to Toronto in 1983.

In 2003, she became a Member of the Order of Canada and in 2007, she received an Honourary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, the University of Western Ontario.

Reviews

[Maeve’s Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

The NOSTALGIA! I grew up watching Franklin on TV and reading Franklin books. Going through this book was like time traveling back to my childhood days again. It sparked the memories of reading these stories, I remember having these books at home and my parents reading them to me, and then I learned how to read them too. I recognized “Franklin’s New Friend” with the Moose character and “Franklin Rides a Bike”.

The illustrations are beautiful and so pleasing to the eye, especially for kids. It is full of colour and detail in every page. The stories share great tales that have valuable lessons for children to learn and pick up on for themselves.

I love the Franklin characters and the books, they are timeless. I am turning 28 this year, I have read them as a child and I have plans to read them to my baby girl.

I like how they have created a book that has several of Franklin stories within, so you can give your child the option to pick a story to read.

I highly recommend this book! It would be a great gift to give to a child, to a baby shower. It would be a great addition at the library.

As I’ve said, in looking at these pages I remembered reading these exact stories back when I was a child. It provided a big enough impression on me as a child for me to remember Franklin and his stories now as an adult. I can’t wait to share my love for these stories and characters with my baby!

Thank you Kids Can Press and Netgalley for an ARC!

[Christina Penrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Franklin. I remember a show when I was younger with his stories and it was probably my favorite. My kids enjoyed reading all of these stories. Franklin is such a cute turtle who experiences real life struggles or life events. I love the lessons that kids can learn. Franklin the turtle is going to forever be my favorite and a book I will suggest to everyone!

[Megan Fosson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are big Franklin fans in our house and this one did not disappoint! My kids (ages 10, 8, 5, and 3) all adored the stories in this book. The stories have great messages and my kids loved that there were six stories in one book too.

We definitely recommend!

We got the book for free through NetGalley.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This treasury features six classic stories about Franklin the turtle. I loved Franklin when I was a child, and I really enjoyed revisiting these stories. They are just as good as I remembered. Each story teaches an important lesson in a gentle, encouraging way, and the characters are very lovable. The dilemmas that Franklin faces are relatable for the target audience, and these books model healthy ways for kids to deal with different personal challenges and friendship struggles.

The illustrations are marvelous, with double-page spreads full of color and light. The nature illustrations are gorgeous, and there are lots of relatable elements and cute world-building details in each animal's home. There are lots of small details in the illustrations that kids and adults can pick up on during repeat readings, and the books have such a warm, cozy feeling.

I highly recommend this treasury for families, classrooms, and libraries. Parents who grew up with these books will enjoy sharing them with their kids, and this newly issued book will also introduce Franklin to people who have never met him before. This book brings attention back to a great series, and offers a cost-effective way for people to add multiple Franklin stories to their library.

I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six sprightly and easily-read young reader stories, from a series that has gone on for decades without ever crossing my path before. Here we watch a young turtle go about the fright-inducing, worry-filled world, including the fear he has of the dark space that is his own shell (which he takes to tugging along behind him on a rope rather than wear), his first day of school, the time he has to befriend a mahoosive moose that moves into the neighbourhood, the great removal-of-the-stabilisers from his pushbike, and more.

All is in really friendly fashion, with classy and ageless watercolour art – almost no page is without some small cameo of detail, even if it's not a double-page spread of image with a paragraph tucked in one corner. It does slip up a few times due to the idea it set upon of Franklin being the only critter with a name – all others are just named after their species instead. But it's a perfectly acceptable, gently moralistic spread of little dramas, and it's an easy four stars.

[Diana Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn toward the Franklin stories because I remember what fun was had while reading them with my children. Now my grandchildren are enjoying his adventures too! This collection of six stories brought smiles to all our faces! The problems presented are relatable. He has such a wonderful group of family and friends to help him find his way in the world. The story of Moose as Franklin’s new friend is my favorite.

The watercolor artwork is absolutely stunning. The bright colors just pop off the pages. New details are noticed each time we go through the pages.

I would recommend this book for use as a picture book for the very small, a read aloud for family time and also for those just beginning to read. This collection is great for all ages

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our family are huge fans of Franklin and have been for many, many years. As a mom I love the values and lessons that the stories create for our little ones. Franklin makes them easier to understand and relate to their little lives. This special edition collection was an ebook ARC for us but we will definitely be adding it to our collection at home. With 6 wonderful stories all in one this book is perfect for cuddles and reading, especially at bedtime. It can make a great addition to the bedtime routine. Colorful illustrations create a warm and calm feeling for us. Our favorite stories were Franklin’s New Friend and Franklin Says I Love You. Your family will adore this collection as much as we did. Perfect gift for little families to encourage reading together.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so delighted to see that this collection of Franklin stories will be coming out in the spring. I have fond memories of reading Franklin stories to my children.

Franklin in the Dark, the first story, was always a favorite in our house. Here, there is that story plus others about every day life. Franklin goes to school, he makes friends, rides a bike, goes to the hospital and say I Love You in these pages.

The stories themselves are engaging and address the kinds of fears that kids may have. The illustrations add to the pleasure for the child who is hearing the stories.

Highly recommended!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

[Julia Shelburne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of six stories of the beloved classic character, Franklin. Each story is a good length to read aloud at bedtime or storytime, and the illustrations are just lovely. Kids in elementary school will likely to relate to Franklin through these stories and could follow Franklin’s guidance in how to get through certain situations. Such a classic!

Thank you NetGalley and Kids Can Press for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each of these Franklin stories has Franklin solving a typical childhood problem. He faces his fears. He goes to school. He makes new friends. The oldest of the stories was written in 1986 and the latest was 2002. They are all timeless. They are just as relevant to today’s readers as readers of the publication years.

[Mrs. Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these stories to encourage children with any emotions they might be dealing with! And the artwork is amazing adding so much to the book making it reassuring to a child.

[Megan Wrye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading stories I grew up with to my four year old and getting to bond over characters that can be dear to both of us.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy! Just the best sweetest stories.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good selection of Franklin classics!