Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin

by Gene Barretta

The inventions and inspiration of Benjamin Franklin and how they've stood the test of time

What would you do if you lived in a community without a library, hospital, post office, or fire department? If you were Benjamin Franklin, you'd set up these organizations yourself. Franklin also designed the lightning rod, suggested the idea of daylight savings time, and invented bifocals-all inspired by his common sense and intelligence. In this informative book, Gene Barretta brings Benjamin Franklin's genius to life, deepening our appreciation for one of the most influential figures in American history.

Now & Ben is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Biography, Nonfiction, Science, Childrens, American History

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 7, 2006

About the author

Gene Barretta is the author and illustrator of Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin and Neo Leo: The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo da Vinci. He is also author and illustrator of Dear Deer, which was a Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts and listed on the Parenting Magazine Mom-Tested Books of the Year List.

He holds a B.F.A. in Film Studies from New York University, and has worked for many years in film and television production. Gene is also the older brother of Muppet performer, writer and director, Bill Barretta.

He lives in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania with his wife and son.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/geneba...

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an informative non-fiction read that reads and feels like a picture book. Ben Franklin's inventions are shown in a way that children can relate to through the "Now" and "Ben" pictures. Bright and colorful illustrations show how we use those inventions today, and how they were used in Ben's time.

I really enjoyed reading this book and learned something new myself. I had never heard of the armonica before, and I learned of inventions that I did not know were attributed to Ben Franklin. Both children and adults will learn more about this resourceful and creative historical figure.

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was featured as one of the selections for the November 2011 Inventors-themed reads for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

I'm so glad that we discovered this book. So often, biographical books, even picture books tend to be overly wordy and detailed. This book is terrific! It has wonderful, colorful illustrations, simple explanations of Ben's inventions (including things, institutions, and even important documents), but even better yet, it depicts how they are relevant to our lives today. Hooray! I couldn't have asked for a better historical biography.

Our girls learned a lot about one of our country's founding fathers and I learned a lot, too. I knew that the man dabbled in all kinds of scientific and intellectual pursuits, but I had no idea of the true range of his interests. We really enjoyed reading this story together!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many people know Benjamin Franklin for his contributions to achieving American independence, his roles in shaping the American Government, his foreign diplomatic missions, and his "wit and wisdom". This book focuses on another facet of this remarkable human being: his inventions.

And what fun it is! The format of showing things that we take for granted "NOW" (such as fireplaces, fire departments, and bifocals) and pairing it with "BEN'S" original invention is highly effective. I was already well aware of most of these inventions (such as the lightning rod) though I had no idea Franklin was responsible for others (such as the odometer). Some of the inventions we don't need today, but it's still great fun to read about them (like the rocking chair that churned butter!) I like the variety of inventions presented, many tangible objects but some ideas such as daylight savings time, or institutions such as the public library. The book also briefly mentions his contributions to documents such as the US Constitution. The end papers do a great job of putting the chronology together visually.

The illustrations are great -- fun and accessible for kids, but also with some great detail. For example, the illustration of Franklin's family inside their Philadelphia home shows his son William (wearing a British flag pin) behind the window panes--which look an awful lot like prison bars. Very clever since William was a Royal Governor of New Jersey and was captured during the Revolution.

I would give this five stars if it included an afterward and some suggestions for further reading for those who do not have much background on Franklin going into this. Still, while in no way a complete biography of Franklin, it does a fine job highlighting Ben's inventions and showing how many of them are so useful and important even NOW!

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As somebody currently mourning the recent change to standard time from daylight savings time, kudos to Franklin for first suggesting daylight savings time!

This book can’t help but be interesting, given that it covers many of Franklin’s valuable inventions, creations, and contributions, all still with us today in their original or adapted forms.

Overall, the book is very interesting, though I think it has a really stupid last line and last page of illustrations, but maybe that page appeals to kids; it probably does. Overall, it’s a worthy tribute to the man and makes clear how amazing he was.

The illustrations fill the pages, which are very busy with much to look at, text as well as pictures. The pictures are detailed, colorful and vivid, and informative.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

The extraordinary contributions of that eighteenth-century American scientist, author and politician, Benjamin Franklin - his innovations in fields as diverse as electricity and newspaper-printing - are set out here in Gene Barretta's attractive picture-book, ideally suited to younger readers with an interest in invention and discovery. Each two-page spread is devoted to a particular idea or invention, contrasting the scene now, and the scene "Ben" - now we expect that our newspapers will include cartoons, while Ben was the first American printer to include political cartoons in his newspapers; now we rely on services provided by institutions like the library and the hospital, while Ben was the first to establish such places, in his city (Philadelphia) - while the decorative endpapers set out a time-line of Franklin's inventions, and groundbreaking ideas.

With a fascinating, fact-filled text that emphasizes how much Benjamin Franklin's ideas and innovations still affect us today, and engaging watercolor illustrations that add humor to the reading experience, Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin is a book I would wholeheartedly recommend, to any younger children with an interest in invention, and/or Benjamin Franklin. Less of a biography, than a list of inventions and ideas - this is one of our November selections, over in the Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is inventors and inventions - I think it might benefit from being paired with a more traditional account of Franklin's life, for those children interested in the man himself, but as an exploration of the influence of Franklin's ideas, it is top notch! Highly recommend to all young Franklin lovers - I was very taken myself, when a girl, with the kite and key story - and to children with an interest in invention!

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing! Almost everything Ben Franklin created is still around today! Bifocals, political cartoons, lightning rods, long-arm grabbers - all from the mind of the Franklin.

This book humorously presents some of Ben's most practical, and a few of his wackier, inventions.

There are things I didn't know he had anything to do with - second hands on clocks, odometers, and library chairs.




What a guy, this Franklin fellow!

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pages of inventions just went on and on-- I don't know how Ben Franklin had time to invent all those things! The author cleverly linked Ben's time with today by showing things we use now and then telling us how Ben invented them back in the 18th century. He was a fascinating person. Readers of this book will want to read more about him. I know I do!

[RLL 520 Sharonda Kimbrough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you know that Benjamin Franklin never patented his creations because he believed that people should have the freedom to modify and improve them? In this colorful text for young readers, children will learn about the many roles Franklin played in his lifetime and his amazing inventions.This text would be a great resource for an elementary school social studies or science classroom!

[Crystal Marcos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin is an enjoyable read about ingenious Benjamin Franklin. The book is interesting and very informative, written in a way that is sure to please young readers. The artwork is creative with many fun details. Benjamin Franklin invented many things that help shape the way we live our lives today. I found myself saying, "I didn't know that" several times though out the book. Well, now I know! I'll never be able to look at my grabber (a long stick with a clamp on the end) without thinking of Ben!

I would love to revisit this book when my daughter is a little older and able to appreciate it. I only wish it had additional information or history about Ben Franklin at the end of the book. I was expecting tit and was disappointed it wasn't there. Overall an great read for any reader looking for information on Benjamin Franklin.

This was a Children's Picture Book Club read for the month of November.
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at some of Franklin's inventions still in use today.
5/27/17 Read with Naomi and Julia.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the title and opening line tied together were clever...Now and then we think about Ben Franklin...and then throughout the book to show what we have now and what Ben invented or contributed. He really was a remarkable man! This is a great book to show kids the ingenuity and talent of Franklin. I also really enjoyed the illustrations.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Gene Barretta. It centers on the many inventions of Benjamin Franklin – one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A polymath, he was a leading writer, printer, political philosopher, politician, Freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.

Barretta's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. With its breezy format and succinct text, the book delivers facts in an assuredly kid-friendly style as it lists the many inventions attributed to Benjamin Franklin and also mentions his pivotal role in establishing the country's first library, hospital, post office, and fire and sanitation departments, and in creating the Constitution and other key documents. The playful watercolor cartoons, often divided into panels, help to vary the pacing.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. In this lighthearted and enlightening picture book biography, the format echoes its title: the left-hand side of each spread highlights images and explanations of contemporary versions of Franklin's inventions, while the facing page reveals the fellow at work on his innovations. Among the wide-ranging inventions, discoveries and designs included are bifocals, electricity, swimming fins, the benefits of Vitamin C, the Pennsylvania Fireplace (later renamed the Franklin stove), and the odometer.

All in all, Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin is an enthusiastic biography of one of the Founding Fathers of the United States – Benjamin Franklin.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm impressed. The art is entertaining. The info is presented clearly and concisely. And the text and images work together to explain the ideas.

Good intro to Ben Franklin!

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Now and Ben" by Gene Barretta tells the story of Benjamin Franklin's many inventions that have helped create our modern world. Many people may not know that Franklin invented so many things, and this book tells the reader about these things from a comical and engaging perspective.

The cover of this book has Ben standing on a cobbled street in the city, and his face is in a frame that he is holding up with "Franklin" at the bottom. Each stone has something that Ben was, such as Cartoonist, Printer, or Writer. Ben has a playful expression on his face, almost as if he's asking the reader to learn about him in this book. The background color is yellow, and has a watercolor effect to it. The title is in a blue color, and the author's name is underneath Ben's feet. The back cover has a summary of the book in the middle, and there is an image of a modern city on top and the 1700's city on bottom.

The end pages are playful, and the yellow color continues here. On these pages are the various inventions of Franklin and the year that they were invented. The dedication and title page mimic the back cover. The dedication page has the image of a modern city and the title page has the old city. Before going into each invention, the second double page spread has Ben standing in a modern city with a puzzled look on his face. This image showcases how Ben has impacted our modern world, and it almost has a Where's Waldo effect as I was looking at everything in the image to see what I could find. The text is black and doesn't change in the story. When the story is finally begun with each invention, on the left side of the page is "Now" and on the right side of the page is "Ben" as the inventions are compared to today and what Ben created. Each image is very playful and has bright colors. There are double page spreads, full-bleeds, and border images in this book. There are also images that break the border. This book is chalk full of different images. The images may be simple, but they engage the reader and bring a new perspective on learning about Franklin. The last double page spread of the book has Ben standing in a future city, showing that even in the years to come Ben's inventions will still be present. I love this image and the one at the front because of the look on Ben's face.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know, Now & Ben was a decent book, and it contained several, "huh, I never knew that," factoids within its pages. The pictures were certainly adequate, and did a fine job of illustrating many of Franklin's inventions to children.

My niece was interested in this entire book, but she is a lover of non-fiction, and she's always been interested in science and technology. My nephew was significantly less impressed with this book, but he's only four, has no idea who Benjamin Franklin was, and had never even heard of some of these inventions before. That said, he was pretty intrigued by the pages about lightning rods and odometers, but he did make a point to inform me that, "that book was too boring for me." Well, I really didn't expect it to make too much of a mark on him--this one was targeted at my niece.

When all is said and done, some kids may find this book to be interesting, but I bet the book would be put to best use in the hands of a teacher. Not only does it illustrate where some common items came from, but it can also be used in history class to show that not all of America's founding fathers were boring old guys. A creative teacher could use this one to really teach science or history in intersting ways.

[Nicole Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin is a must read-aloud! Throughout the book the author compares the past and present and how Benjamin Franklin invented, discovered, and helped establish many things people still use today. One example is bifocals. Benjamin Franklin use to get tired of switching between his two glasses so he invented bifocals which allowed him to view close objects by looking through the bottom of his glasses, and view objects further away by looking through the top of his glasses. Today, bifocals are still worn by many people. Now and Ben is a great historical fiction book to read-aloud to k-2 when studying the past and present. Students can compare and contrast things such as transportation, technology, and communication using a Venn Diagram. Students can also use this book when studying famous inventors or historical figures, as well as explain the reasons for Benjamin Franklin's inventions and how they effected the future. This book was a WOW book for me because of the many inventions Benjamin Franklin made that we take for granted today. It's a great lesson for students to learn that even one person can impact lives and the world. I'm very eager to read this book to my class during our past and present unit!

[Emily Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin
Author: Gene Barretta
Illustrator: Gene Barretta
GR Level: W
Lexile: 910
Grade Level: 6th Grade
Publisher: Square Fish
Date: 2008
Genre: Non-Fiction
Pages: 40


Summary:

This book dives into all Benjamin Franklin` s inventions and their impact on our modern society. The book talks about several of Franklin`s inventions by first explaining the invention and then talking about how we still use it or a modification of it in modern times. The Lighting rod and Bifocals are two of the many inventions that the book talks about. This book shows reader the importance of creativity, and invention.



Teaching Ideas:
I would use this book to start talking about inventions. I would have the students come up with their own invention. They would describe what it is, what it does and how they thought of it. The students would then talk about the impact that it would have on society. The students would then have to draw a design of it and talk about the things that would be needed to create it.

Standards:

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

[Inhabiting Books]

Gene Barretta writes and illustrates this fascinating book about Benjamin Franklin, a Renaissance Man: author, statesman, inventor, scientist, publisher, and political activist.

On the left side of each double page layout of the book is a "Now" page, showing the things we use in our modern day, while over on the right is the "Ben" page, showing how Benjamin Franklin's invention was the forerunner.

Super fun pictures, very readable, interesting text. And I love it because not only do my girls laugh their way through the reading, but they gain important knowledge about one of the world's greatest men. How can you beat that?

(My girls and I read this along with Barretta's other book done in the same style of presentation, called *Neo Leo: The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo Da Vinci*.)

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benjamin Franklin, was one of those brilliant people in history that seemed to be good at everything. His forward thinking ideas and creations from more than 200 years ago are still being used and improved upon today. This book does a wonderful job of explaining these ideas to young readers. I would definitely recommend this book for 3rd graders on up that are looking to write their first biographies or just interested in learning about great figures in American history.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highlights features and things we have today because of Ben’s inventions and creativity. I had no idea that Ben drew cartoons, invented the grabber, or invented a great number of other items mentioned in this book. I admire Barreta for sharing a new perspective of a well-known American. Barretta’s text structure and framed illustrations reinforce the concept of Now and Ben. I appreciate the inclusion of pages in Braille. Great book!

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was great at providing information on what Benjamin Franklin accomplished in his lifetime. I love how the book separated Now and Ben. It was helpful for making the comparisons, and thinking how his work has impacted our lives today. There were a few things that I didn't love about the book, however, I think this book can be used as a great learning tool.

[LuAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief history of Benjamin Franklin's inventions and how we are still using many of them. It tells of inventions so his childhood days, as well as throughout his life. A quick easy way to learn about this famous man and how many of his inventions continue to make our lives easier.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! The accomplishments of this one man are extraordinary and this account helps give them meaning to students today. The illustrations add even more to the books message for those who read closely.

[J Kreuz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about the inventions and accomplishments of Benjamin Franklin! There were several facts that I was unaware of before reading this little gem. A fine introduction to the great works of this great man. I enjoyed this as much as my son.

[Stacey Charbel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biographical picture book that looks at all of the contributions Benjamin Franklin made. The author compares what his inventions first looked like and how they are still used today. Text is easy to read at a quick pace and the illustrations are fun to look at.

[Jess Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was fascinating to both my son and I - he's still talking about things Benjamin Franklin is credited with a week later. fun illustrations and a creative storytelling format.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benjamin Franklin is really cool! He made cool inventions!

[Dawn Fielder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming book that shows the inventions of Ben Franklin in their original form and how they have evolved to their present day incarnations.

[Jaycie Birdwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Benjamin Franklin is one of the world's most renowned inventors. His inventions have shaped the world of today, and this book looks at how his ideas affected us then and now. Some of Ben's discoveries include cartoons, bifocals, electricity, the lightning rod, the odometer, and he even implemented city establishments. He even contributed to the formation of this nation with his role in the development of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and important treaties. Ben's legacy has shaped our modern world, and it will continue to shape the future as well.

This book was a good overview of the many inventions of Benjamin Franklin. The pictures were very entertaining, and the author made good connections between now and then. I would like to use this in my classroom by asking my students to pick one of Ben's inventions or ideas, describe the formation/discovery of it, and write about how it has affected their lives personally.

[Gretchen Sanftleben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin by Gene Barretta introduces readers to Benjamin Franklin's life and inventions. Despite living over 200 years ago, Benjamin Franklin created many items that we still use today. The illustrations in the book draw parallels and contrasts between the 1700's and modern day. This biography is a wow book due its interesting illustrations and the accessible and meaningful information it contains. This book draws many parallels and connections between a seemingly far away time and today that students will be captivated by.
This book lends itself to many activities that include social studies integration. Students in grades 3-5 could research more about the time that Benjamin Franklin was alive. Using their information, students could develop an introduction for the book that explains the setting and some of the daily challenges individuals in that time period faced. Students could also choose one of Benjamin Franklin's inventions and research its use further. With that information, students could create a poster that informs readers of the benefits of each invention. While students of all ages would enjoy this biographical text, the activities I suggested would be better suited for older students who are able to independently research, synthesize information, and create informative presentations.