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Franklin the Turtle
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Everyone's favorite turtle hero is back with a lesson about responsibility and love. In a simple, charmingly illustrated tale, Franklin proves to his parents that he can take care of a pet, and picks a pretty goldfish for his own. Full color.
32 pages
First published January 1, 1994
18 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Paulette Bourgeois
374 books124 followersBorn 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 1, 2019
Summary:
Franklin Wants a Pet is about a turtle named Franklin who asks his parents one day if he could have a pet. Franklin’s parents don’t dismiss the idea but rather they let him know that if he wants a pet, he has to learn the responsibility that comes with having a pet. Franklin comes up with the idea that if he takes care of his stuffed dog it will show his parents how responsible he is. Franklin’s parents saw how much responsibility he was taking on, even if it was just a stuffed dog. So, Franklin’s parents allowed him to have a pet, and once Franklin got the news he and his parents went to the Pet Store where Franklin got himself a goldfish.
Theme:
The overall theme of Franklin Wants a Pet is that having a pet comes with great responsibility, because just like you they are living beings who need and feel just as much as you.
Personal Connection:
When I read Franklin Wants a Pet, I found myself reminiscing of when I was in Kindergarten and our teacher said that we could have a class pet if we showed how responsible we were of taking care of something alive. Oddly enough we did the same things Franklin did in the book, and just like Franklin’s parents, our teacher got us a pet: a pet hamster.
Recommendation:
I would definitely recommend this book, because wanting a pet is something that almost every child goes through. The responses of the parents are very reflective about what parents think when their child comes to them asking for a pet. I think that this book perfectly shows what parents are talking about when they say that children need to learn responsibility first before they can get a pet.
Franklin Wants a Pet is about a turtle named Franklin who asks his parents one day if he could have a pet. Franklin’s parents don’t dismiss the idea but rather they let him know that if he wants a pet, he has to learn the responsibility that comes with having a pet. Franklin comes up with the idea that if he takes care of his stuffed dog it will show his parents how responsible he is. Franklin’s parents saw how much responsibility he was taking on, even if it was just a stuffed dog. So, Franklin’s parents allowed him to have a pet, and once Franklin got the news he and his parents went to the Pet Store where Franklin got himself a goldfish.
Theme:
The overall theme of Franklin Wants a Pet is that having a pet comes with great responsibility, because just like you they are living beings who need and feel just as much as you.
Personal Connection:
When I read Franklin Wants a Pet, I found myself reminiscing of when I was in Kindergarten and our teacher said that we could have a class pet if we showed how responsible we were of taking care of something alive. Oddly enough we did the same things Franklin did in the book, and just like Franklin’s parents, our teacher got us a pet: a pet hamster.
Recommendation:
I would definitely recommend this book, because wanting a pet is something that almost every child goes through. The responses of the parents are very reflective about what parents think when their child comes to them asking for a pet. I think that this book perfectly shows what parents are talking about when they say that children need to learn responsibility first before they can get a pet.
September 8, 2019
This is a story of a turtle named Franklin who has been wanting a pet for awhile. He has a pet stuffed animal dog and he takes care of it like a real pet. He asks his parents if he can have a dog and they said keep saying that they will think about it. It is Franklin’s goal to prove that he can take care of a pet!
I liked this book! It was well written and part of the Franklin series which I liked as a child. When I was younger, I could relate to this book because I wanted a pet but my parents were hesitant.
This would be good in a classroom for a unit on pets. This would be good to introduce different types of pets to children because it describes different types of pets that other animals wanted.
I liked this book! It was well written and part of the Franklin series which I liked as a child. When I was younger, I could relate to this book because I wanted a pet but my parents were hesitant.
This would be good in a classroom for a unit on pets. This would be good to introduce different types of pets to children because it describes different types of pets that other animals wanted.
October 3, 2017
Summary:
This book tells the story of Franklin the Turtle and how he wants to own a pet. The book goes through his journey to find the perfect pet. Franklins asks all his friends that he encounters what pet they would have, and they give him advice. In the end Franklin gets a gold fish and he loves his pet!
Evaluation:
This is a good transitional book for kids aging between 6 and 7. Some of the vocabulary is a little large for 5 years olds, but the story line is fairly simple.
Teaching Point:
This would be a good book to teach students about dialogue in books. You could use it to teach quotation marks and how you use them.
This book tells the story of Franklin the Turtle and how he wants to own a pet. The book goes through his journey to find the perfect pet. Franklins asks all his friends that he encounters what pet they would have, and they give him advice. In the end Franklin gets a gold fish and he loves his pet!
Evaluation:
This is a good transitional book for kids aging between 6 and 7. Some of the vocabulary is a little large for 5 years olds, but the story line is fairly simple.
Teaching Point:
This would be a good book to teach students about dialogue in books. You could use it to teach quotation marks and how you use them.
January 16, 2024
Franklin Wants a Pet is a delightful short story about all the consideratiosn Franklin goes throught before he decides on the perfect pet for him. He talks to his friends, listens to their suggestions and then has good reasons for picking a Goldie the goldfish for his pet.
He reasons are that he enjoys watching her swim around and round in her bowl and she makes him feel good.
I keept a copy of Franklin Wants a Pet in my classroom.
He reasons are that he enjoys watching her swim around and round in her bowl and she makes him feel good.
I keept a copy of Franklin Wants a Pet in my classroom.
May 4, 2017
If you like the other books is the Franklin series you will like this one. Franklin has always wanted a pet and together with his family they try to figure out what the best pet will be for their family. And because it's Franklin it has a happy ending!
July 5, 2024
I got a lot of children’s books from my work place cause they were going to toss them so I had to save them from the dump!
This one was super adorable and cute. I used to watch Franklin years ago babysitting my cousins so it was like watching an episode with them again.
This one was super adorable and cute. I used to watch Franklin years ago babysitting my cousins so it was like watching an episode with them again.
June 19, 2017
Franklin marzy o swoim własnym zwierzątku. Słuchając opowiadań przyjaciół o ich ulubionych pupilach wybiera własne. Ku zdumieniu rodziców okazuje się nim rybka w akwarium.
November 30, 2019
This would be a fun read aloud for all grades. It discusses responsibility.
November 8, 2020
A book in the Franklin the Turtle series. Fun and cute.
March 27, 2021
Super książka bardzo polecam
April 17, 2021
love these books
September 7, 2021
I guessed the pet he would pick, my mom thought he would pick a turtle lol
October 27, 2021
Franklin is so sweet!
July 20, 2023
Even as a kid I found his choice of pet strange. Can't say enough about how much I love the artwork.
November 17, 2023
My son enjoys this like other Franklin books. I think this might be one of the best "I want a pet books" which is written from a child's viewpoint.
May 22, 2025
The ending is quite surprising. Lovely illustration. Feels a bit old-fashioned.
September 20, 2017
Summary: Franklin desperately wants to get a real pet because he only has a stuffed animal. He discusses many different pets with his friends and ends up getting a goldfish!
Evaluation: This is a transitional book that will help students (ages 6-8) transition into small chapter books.
Teaching point: In the classroom, we could use this book as an example of "researching" and finding information about something before making a decision. Just as Franklin learned about many different pets before getting his own. This could help students learn to make informative decisions.
Evaluation: This is a transitional book that will help students (ages 6-8) transition into small chapter books.
Teaching point: In the classroom, we could use this book as an example of "researching" and finding information about something before making a decision. Just as Franklin learned about many different pets before getting his own. This could help students learn to make informative decisions.
March 15, 2014
Franklin could count by two, tie his shoes, sleep alone and had a best friend Bear, but
Franklin wanted something else; he wanted a pet. Franklin waited for a long time after asking his parents over and over about having a pet. His parents did not refuse; their answer was "we will think about it." Franklin's friends proposed a bird for a pet, but he didn't like a bird because birds loud singing may wake him up too early; Franklin's friend, the beaver proposed a cat for a pet, but Franklin complained that one never knows where cat are, the goose proposed a bunny, but Franklin complained that bunny's whiskers make him sneeze. When finally Franklin asked his parents again for a pet, they asked him if he could care for a pet, clean its surrounding, and feed it. He agree he could do it, just as he took care of their dog. His parents proposed other animals but in each case he rejected it and told them he wanted fish. He loves watching fish swim slowly around and around. He likes their beautiful colors and the way they make him feel inside - quiet and calm; and finally he loves the gold fish. So his parents agreed and got fish for him as pet. He named the fish "Goldie."
The book has vocabulary words like bunny, pet, bear, sneeze, beaver, goose, whiskers and fish. Children will be asked what animals some of them have for pets and how they care for them. Questions about how they their parents got the pets for them. Did they urge their parents to get the pet or were they as patient as Franklin. How did they name the pets. A trip to a pet store will be arranged and children will tell what they saw in the store.
Franklin wanted something else; he wanted a pet. Franklin waited for a long time after asking his parents over and over about having a pet. His parents did not refuse; their answer was "we will think about it." Franklin's friends proposed a bird for a pet, but he didn't like a bird because birds loud singing may wake him up too early; Franklin's friend, the beaver proposed a cat for a pet, but Franklin complained that one never knows where cat are, the goose proposed a bunny, but Franklin complained that bunny's whiskers make him sneeze. When finally Franklin asked his parents again for a pet, they asked him if he could care for a pet, clean its surrounding, and feed it. He agree he could do it, just as he took care of their dog. His parents proposed other animals but in each case he rejected it and told them he wanted fish. He loves watching fish swim slowly around and around. He likes their beautiful colors and the way they make him feel inside - quiet and calm; and finally he loves the gold fish. So his parents agreed and got fish for him as pet. He named the fish "Goldie."
The book has vocabulary words like bunny, pet, bear, sneeze, beaver, goose, whiskers and fish. Children will be asked what animals some of them have for pets and how they care for them. Questions about how they their parents got the pets for them. Did they urge their parents to get the pet or were they as patient as Franklin. How did they name the pets. A trip to a pet store will be arranged and children will tell what they saw in the store.
February 13, 2017
I want to know what the rules are for this world. Why are some animals "people" that stand upright and talk, while others are simply pets? What if another character wanted a pet turtle?
Read
April 30, 2014In the book Franklin Wants a Pet by Paulette Bourgeois, Franklin asks his parents time and time again if he can get a pet but every time they say “we will think about it”. Franklin goes off to play with his friend bear, who says he would get a bird as a pet if he got the chance. Next, Franklin plays with his friend Beaver who says he would get a pet cat if he got the chance, and Goose said he would get a pet bunny. That night at breakfast, Franklin brought his pet dog to the table to show his parents he could take care of a pet, and they eventually say they will take him to the pet store the next day to buy a puppy. Surprisingly, Franklin announces he doesn’t want a puppy, and will show his parents at the pet store what he has been dreaming of. The next day, Franklin points to a goldfish that he wants and gets to take home his new best friend.
November 19, 2012
Franklin asks his parents if he can get a pet. After showing his parents that he is capable of being responsible for a pet, they decide that he can choose a pet. Franklin decides to get a goldfish. This book reveals responsibility and the benefits of this action. It is good for young readers because it shows that you need to work for things and be able to show you are responsible for a big event like getting a pet. This would be a good book to use in a classroom because it is something that most children can relate to: either they have a pet, are looking at getting a pet, or know someone who has a pet. Also, providing books like these would be good for children because there is a Franklin series so if student's like them, they will have many other books to look into reading.
October 11, 2012
What a great yardsale find!!
My neighbor went out to a yardsale over the weekend and look what she brought me home!!
A super sonic squee book about little Franklin who wants a pet.
Zomg!! I melted at every picture!
Franklin asks his parents if it would be cool if he had a pet. His parents said they would think about it. Awesome!! They didn't say 'no'!
Over time, Franklin starts to get impatient but instead of asking his parents a zillion times what they decided, he instead visits his friends and asks them what kind of pet they would like.
A super super cute book for any child and turtle lover!!
I can't wait to read more :)
My neighbor went out to a yardsale over the weekend and look what she brought me home!!
A super sonic squee book about little Franklin who wants a pet.
Zomg!! I melted at every picture!
Franklin asks his parents if it would be cool if he had a pet. His parents said they would think about it. Awesome!! They didn't say 'no'!
Over time, Franklin starts to get impatient but instead of asking his parents a zillion times what they decided, he instead visits his friends and asks them what kind of pet they would like.
A super super cute book for any child and turtle lover!!
I can't wait to read more :)
June 17, 2015
What kindergartner can't identify with a child, even a child turtle, whose parents take SO long to make a decision? And who doesn't want a pet?
Franklin books are always a good choice, with bright, clear pictures and warm, engaging stories. This one has suspense as well . . . will Franklin's parents say yes?
They do, but more suspense follows. Franklin doesn't want a puppy! He doesn't even want a kitten! Franklin has both his parents and the kindergartners mystified until the end. . . and Erin is pretty proud of herself. She is the only child in the story circle who guesses Franklin's choice!
Franklin books are always a good choice, with bright, clear pictures and warm, engaging stories. This one has suspense as well . . . will Franklin's parents say yes?
They do, but more suspense follows. Franklin doesn't want a puppy! He doesn't even want a kitten! Franklin has both his parents and the kindergartners mystified until the end. . . and Erin is pretty proud of herself. She is the only child in the story circle who guesses Franklin's choice!
Read
May 17, 2012
July 7, 2024
Franklin shares his desire to have a pet of his own. He explores various options, from a dog to a cat to a bird, and imagines what it would be like to care for each one. With the help of his friends and family, Franklin considers the responsibilities and joys of pet ownership. This story talks about decision-making and the importance of getting feedback and input from family and friends when important decisions are on the line.
November 14, 2010
I love all of the Franklin books because they are all about topics that children can relate too! What child hasn't asked their parents for a pet? Franklin wants a pet, but his parents are reluctant to let him have one. This book is great because children can predict what pet Franklin wants to get. I would read this book during free time.
February 12, 2015
Franklin is so great at relating to students in the kindergarten through second grade age groups. The pictures are so vibrant, they really capture the eye. In this particular story Franklin decides he wants a pet. I feel as if this is so common for many kids and they feel like they will relate to him. This story is perfect for reading out loud to the students.
November 10, 2017
While I was reading this book, Nate (the 18 month old) was making kissie lips at me the whole time, and my heart melted! So precious!!! I felt so special, so I told his mom. Turns out that that’s Nate sign for (SPOILER ALERT!!!!!) fish.
Yeah, Franklins pet turns out to be a goldfish, so Nate was making fishy lips, NOT kissie lips...
Yeah, Franklins pet turns out to be a goldfish, so Nate was making fishy lips, NOT kissie lips...
May 7, 2020
The Franklin books should be included in any Kindergarten-1st grade classroom, and while they may not have large accompanying morals, the books deal with problems that young children often deal with. From problems at school to issues with friends and family, these books are amazing and students have gravitated to them for a long time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews