Benjamin et la nuit

Franklin the Turtle

by Paulette Bourgeois, Brenda Clark (Illustrator), Christiane Duchesne (Translator)

In the Franklin Classic Storybook that started it all, poor little Franklin has one of the most common childhood afflictions - he is afraid of the dark. This is particularly distressing for Franklin as he happens to be a turtle, and the darkness he fears is, of course, inside his own shell. Bravely, with shell in tow, he sets forth to seek help and in the course of his travels discovers a bird who is afraid of heights, a polar bear who is afraid of the cold, and even a hydrophobic duck. In the end, Franklin discovers that everybody is afraid of something, even his own mother, and his response to what he has learned is guaranteed to draw a smile.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Canada, Juvenile, School

28 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

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

[C. (Comment, never msg). · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know special-looking books when I spot them. What a happy surprise to learn two Canadians, fellow Winnipegger Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark of Port Hope, Ontario authored and drew something that has been a classic since 1986: “Franklin In The Dark”! Brenda created a page that comprises this storybook's cover and it sure does draw you in instantly. A turtle in a modern room sits worried against his shell, among toys well-played with and dark, slightly unsettling hues.

I know how much animals genuinely do feel, emote, and think but if anyone casts personified sympathy on loved objects and precious fictional faces, it is me. A beacon to sensitive souls like mine, I scurried to ensure that this dear turtle came out all right in this book. Beyond my expectations this Canadian classic oeuvre is affectionate, decent, loving, happy, and intelligent too. There is a parallel of course, between a human child fearing the night or quiet room where he sleeps and a child turtle fearing the shell with which he is born. His wonderful Mother is supportive and graciously encourages him to consider that there is nothing to fear. The scene of wraithlike ghouls Franklin imagines around his dark shell is so fantastic, evocative, and extraordinarily well done; I hope they garnered Brenda an award.

Paulette did complete justice to her approach too: teaching something relatable to everyone, uniquely and memorably. Franklin doesn't wallow: he does something about it! He asks a great range of animals, including polar bears, if they have anything to allay his fear and admitting to their own unexpected unease; each animal offers Franklin their solutions. He thanks each earnest animal and carries onward. A powerful polar bear who is afraid of freezing makes a statement. Their storybook is a loving, thought-provoking teacher!

[Sandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

I really liked this book. I'm in second grade and was able to read most of the words. My favorite story was Franklin says I love you.

[Allie xo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Miley Good Reads account now

[Adeline ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boyfriend read it to me before bed, 10/10 for the plot and character growth

[Maciej · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gardzę żółwiami.

[Fatima Seraj Alam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ticked all my boxes and more. It showed that being afraid of something is nothing to be embarrassed about. Asking for solutions from others, suggesting what works for someone and sharing the solution, Franklin being amazed that mothers have fears too and finally conquering fear by creative ingenuity, the repetition of words makes this a perfect bedtime storybook.

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 5 out of 5]

این لاک پشتِ خر دوست داشتنی!

[cami]

“Franklin sabía que tenía que hacer. Se metió en su pequeño y oscuro caparazón. Estaba seguro de haber visto monstruos y seres espantosos. Pero fue valiente y dijo “buenas noches”. Y luego, cuando nadie estaba mirando, la tortuga Franklin encendió su lamparita de noche.”

[gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

los cuentos infantiles hablan de los miedos de una manera que nunca deja de pegar.

y pensar que los padres no tienen miedos porque siempre nos protegen, pero, cuando nadie está mirando, todos encuentran un refugio contra la oscuridad.

[Hannah Parks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Franklin the turtle has a big problem: he's afraid of the dark, and for an animal that sleeps in a dark shell, that won't do! Franklin travels around and asks other animals how they conquer their own fears, but to no avail. He still isn't sure how he will go to sleep in his shell, but when he sees his mother afraid of something, he begins to understand that fear is okay. That night, Franklin accommodates himself for his fear by using a night-light in his shell.

In the classroom this book could be used in a lesson on different animals. Students could call out the names of the animals on each page. It could also lead into a lesson on turtles and why they have shells. Students could write a short essay on a fear that they have overcome and what they have learned from this experience.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the first Franklin the Turtle books; In this one Franklin is afraid of the dark which makes him afraid of his shell. He drags it with him everywhere he goes but he just can't get in it. He talks with various neighborhood 'friends' (not the regular neighborhood people we're used to but still a good story) and he realizes that everyone is afraid of 'something' and some help him learn to overcome his being afraid. This would help a child realize that it's okay to be afraid but it's also best to talk it over with a grown up and let them help them in any situation they feel uncomfortable in.

[The Brothers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not find this Franklin adventure as good as Franklin stories usually are. It's strange story of Franklin being afraid of small, dark places so he drags his shell around with him instead of being inside of it (a physical impossibility for a turtle to begin with). He travels along meeting all sorts of animals (from ducks to lions to polar bears) that also have weird phobias. The story just has no sense of place or timing, so it just didn't seem right.

Nice "Franklin-esque" illustrations.

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand why this is a classic here in Canada...warm illustrations of the woodlands (with some realism to Franklin) and repetitive but changing verses that show children how to conquer their own fears in a unique way.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the story of Franklin in the Dark but him being a turtle with the ability to take of his shell and the shell being sperate from him, makes me cringe.

[Turrean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most palatable of the Franklin stories, with some folkloric elements (a journey, a question repeated to each of the animals he encounters.)

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a little too random for me when Franklin goes out searching for truth after his mother does not help him.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story that was required reading for my children's literature course. The illustrations were particularly well done.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very easy and funny for kids and students to read. I really enjoyed it.

[Kristen Dutkiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Franklin is afraid of small dark places, which, unfortunately, is his shell for example. Very cute story.

[Sophie Greenbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franklin books are such a classic for me! They are so heartfelt, and the illustrations are so intricate and colorful. This book in particular, Franklin in the Dark by Paulette Bourgeois, is one of my favorites from the Franklin series. The book begins with Franklin telling his mom that he is feeling scared to sleep in his shell overnight because he is afraid of the dark. His mom tries to calm him down, but it doesn't entirely work. Franklin goes to visit his animal friends and asks them if they have any advice on what to do to get over a fear of being in the dark. The animals don't have an answer, but they all share what they do for their own fears to help calm themselves down. The book ends with Franklin figuring out a solution to help with his fear of the dark- he keeps a nightlight on in his shell! This book is absolutely wonderful and so sweet. I definately recommend it to teachers to have in their classroom libraries. It has a strong theme that reminds students it is okay to be afraid or have fears, and also, it is okay to tell your friends about your fears. In addition, this story lets readers know that there is always a solution or strategy you can use to help conquer your fear (just like how Franklin uses a nightlight to help him get over his fear of the dark!).

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to love about Franklin and particularly this the first book! Franklin is afraid of going inside his dark shell and as such he goes looking for help (teaching kids to seek out help from others). While some of the other animals Franklin encounters are concerned about other’s seeing them use their aids for what they fear, Franklin does not seem embarrassed by his fear, nor does he ever react negatively towards the other animals’ fears. Every animal he encounters gets vulnerable and shares their fear and offers their own solutions, even though none of them are fit for Franklin’s fear (we all have different fears and we all find different solutions to them). Franklin doesn’t realize all he’s learned until he returns home and discovers that even mom’s get scared and that in retelling his journey to his mother (sometimes we need to process with others to make connections and learn) he can find an aid to help him mitigate his fear. Which is exactly what he does that night when he goes to bed with his night light.

The twenty-fifth anniversary edition holds some bonus material that is worth reading and made me tear up a little bit.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franklin is a turtle and he loves to do all kinds of turtle things. But there’s one problem: he’s afraid of going inside his shell! It’s dark and scary in there. His mom says that he can be very brave, but he doesn’t know how. So he goes and asks some friends for advice. Will Franklin ever face his fear of the dark? Find out!

This book was not what I expected. I don’t know what I really expected. I had seen a few episodes of the Franklin TV series many years ago, but wasn’t that into it. I wasn’t the right age group and liked Arthur better. But I think reading this book, Franklin has wormed his way into my heart. He’s very sweet, maybe a bit younger than Arthur, and he’s just a fun character in his own right. I like the way he solves his problems, too.

Mia’s Year of Books: Day 238

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franklin in the Dark is an excellent book to use with young children to find out what they are afraid of and how to face those fears. It also presents the idea that lots of people (or in the book animals) have fears of common things in their lives. The discussions after reading this short story are insightful into how to reach children and help them face common fears. The idea of a prop or as in the story a night-light is another way to communicate with children and lead them to develop problem solving skills.

I kept Franklin in the Dark as part of my classroom library.

[Chris Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a little challenging for my son to make the leap in understanding of how Franklin learned to conquer his fears...yet after a couple reads he is putting it together. The author did a stellar job of pacing this story with realistic fears for kids and little ways they might solve them. ...even if they are a bit silly.

[Russell Hirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The FRANKLIN books were such a meaningful part of my childhood! It was a pleasure to revisit the first one. The first book--and the series overall--capture everyday pleasures, fears, and milestones in a kid's life in a warm, delightful way! I also love how the story doesn't over-explain the idea of bravery, but acknowledges that everyone has fears and that's okay!

[Ailish · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom loved the Franklin books when she was little so she was excited when I got some for Christmas. This was my first introduction to them! I loved the illustrations, the structure of the story, and the message that everyone has fears, and we can all find strategies to help us be brave and overcome them.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franklin the turtle was afraid of small dark places - so he was afraid of bring in his shell. He went seeking help, but everyone he asked was afraid of something. Cute story with a great ending. Lovely illustrations.

[Rin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wah inget banget dulu suka baca buku Franklin yang tersedia di perpustakaan sekolah, sewaktu masih SD. Sekarang ketika dibaca lagi, aku masih suka banget! Series Franklin nih gak pernah gagal. Senang banget bisa baca lagi di ipusnas.

[Джорджия · Rating 5 out of 5]

Вече знаем какво е "корубка". Одеалото вече не е одеало, а е топла и сигурна корубка за сън 😃😉

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book in the Franklin the Turtle series. Fun and cute.