Franklin Stein

by Ellen Raskin

Friendless Franklin Stein decides to make a friend out of odds and ends.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Ellen Raskin was a writer, illustrator, and designer. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up during the Great Depression. She primarily wrote for children. She received the 1979 Newbery Medal for her 1978 book, The Westing Game.

Ms. Raskin was also an accomplished graphic artist. She designed dozens of dust jackets for books, including the first edition of Madeleine L'Engle's classic A Wrinkle in Time.

She married Dennis Flanagan, editor of Scientific American, in 1965.

Raskin died at the age of 56 on August 8, 1984, in New York City due to complications from connective tissue disease.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored Ellen Raskin as a child, and upon re-reading her as an adult, I find that her books hold up, and I can easily see why they held so much fascination.

Her illustrations are unique and detailed, and clever children will quickly find information in the drawings that isn't in the text. For example, Franklin's mother complains at the beginning of the story that she can't find her potato masher. When Franklin's elaborate invention is revealed, a potato masher is one of its many components. I also love that a family member complains that she hopes he isn't making "another footstool," and a quick look back at the living room reveals at least a dozen of them.

The story is wonderful, too, with many of Raskin's signature whimsical character names and word choices (an old lady named Sarah Hairball, for example). Franklin is criticized by his family and friends for his weird creation, but it takes top prize in a contest for its originality. A great message for creative types that aren't always understood.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I work in the children's library and so I sample the wares, as it were. Honestly, most of it is better than the popular adult and YA fiction.