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Ben & Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos
Ever wonder where inventors get their ideas? As it turns out, the great inventor Benjamin Franklin got his best ideas from a mouse named Amos! Funny, interesting and wise, this classic tale has been a favorite for generations. Once you've met Amos and read his account, you'll never think of Ben Franklin—or American history—quite the same way.
Explore this historical time period even further in this new edition of award-winning author Robert Lawson's classic tale, with additional bonus material, including a map of Ben Franklin's travels!
Did you ever wonder where inventors get their ideas? Benjamin Franklin was one of the most famous inventors in American history, and according to this amusing book, he got most of his ideas—the good ones at any rate—from a mouse! Funny, interesting and wise, Ben and Me is a classic American story that has been read by generations of young people. Once you've met Amos the mouse, you'll always remember Benjamin Franklin a little differently than the history books do.
Explore this historical time period even further in this new edition of award-winning author Robert Lawson's classic tale, with additional bonus material, including a map of Ben Franklin's travels!
Did you ever wonder where inventors get their ideas? Benjamin Franklin was one of the most famous inventors in American history, and according to this amusing book, he got most of his ideas—the good ones at any rate—from a mouse! Funny, interesting and wise, Ben and Me is a classic American story that has been read by generations of young people. Once you've met Amos the mouse, you'll always remember Benjamin Franklin a little differently than the history books do.
125 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1939
75 people are currently reading
2512 people want to read
About the author
Robert Lawson
121 books77 followersBorn in New York City, Lawson spent his early life in Montclair, New Jersey. Following high school, he studied art for three years under illustrator Howard Giles (an advocate of dynamic symmetry as conceived by Jay Hambidge) at the New York School of Fine and Applied Art (now Parsons School of Design), marrying fellow artist and illustrator Marie Abrams in 1922. His career as an illustrator began in 1914, when his illustration for a poem about the invasion of Belgium was published in Harper's Weekly. He went on to publish in other magazines, including the Ladies Home Journal, Everybody's Magazine, Century Magazine, Vogue, and Designer.
During World War I, Lawson was a member of the first U.S. Army camouflage unit (called the American Camouflage Corps), in connection with which he served in France with other artists, such as Barry Faulkner, Sherry Edmundson Fry, William Twigg-Smith and Kerr Eby. In his autobiography, Faulkner recalls that Lawson had a remarkable "sense of fantasy and humor", which made him especially valuable when the camoufleurs put on musical shows for the children of the French women who worked with them on camouflage
After the war, Lawson resumed his work as an artist, and in 1922, illustrated his first children's book, The Wonderful Adventures of Little Prince Toofat. Subsequently he illustrated dozens of children's books by other authors, including such well-known titles as The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf (which later became an animated film by the Walt Disney Studios) and Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater. In total, he illustrated as many as forty books by other authors, and another seventeen books that he himself was author of, including Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin By His Good Mouse Amos and Rabbit Hill. His work was widely admired, and he became the first, and so far only, person to be given both the Caldecott Medal (They Were Strong and Good, 1941) and the Newbery Medal (Rabbit Hill, 1945). Ben and Me earned a Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1961.
Lawson was a witty and inventive author, and his children's fiction is no less engaging for grown-ups. One of his inventive themes was the idea of a person's life as seen through the eyes of a companion animal, an approach that he first realized in Ben and Me. Some of his later books employed the same device (which was compatible with his style of illustration) to other figures, such as Christopher Columbus (I Discover Columbus) and Paul Revere (Mr. Revere and I). Captain Kidd's Cat, which he both wrote and illustrated, is narrated by the feline in the title, named McDermot, who tells the story of the famous pirate's ill-starred voyage, in the process of which he is shown to have been a brave, upright, honest, hen-pecked man betrayed by his friends and calumniated by posterity. His artistic witticism and creativity can be seen in The Story of Ferdinand the Bull, where he illustrates a cork tree as a tree that bears corks as fruits, ready to be picked and placed into bottles.
In the early 1930s, Lawson became interested in etching. One of the resulting prints was awarded the John Taylor Arms Prize by the Society of American Etchers.
Lawson died in 1957 at his home in Westport, Connecticut, in a house that he referred to as Rabbit Hill, since it had been the setting for his book of the same name. He was 64. He is buried in Mountain Grove Cemetery, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. An annual conference is held in his honor in Westport.
The Robert Lawson Papers are in the University of Minnesota Children's Literature Research Collections.
During World War I, Lawson was a member of the first U.S. Army camouflage unit (called the American Camouflage Corps), in connection with which he served in France with other artists, such as Barry Faulkner, Sherry Edmundson Fry, William Twigg-Smith and Kerr Eby. In his autobiography, Faulkner recalls that Lawson had a remarkable "sense of fantasy and humor", which made him especially valuable when the camoufleurs put on musical shows for the children of the French women who worked with them on camouflage
After the war, Lawson resumed his work as an artist, and in 1922, illustrated his first children's book, The Wonderful Adventures of Little Prince Toofat. Subsequently he illustrated dozens of children's books by other authors, including such well-known titles as The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf (which later became an animated film by the Walt Disney Studios) and Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater. In total, he illustrated as many as forty books by other authors, and another seventeen books that he himself was author of, including Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin By His Good Mouse Amos and Rabbit Hill. His work was widely admired, and he became the first, and so far only, person to be given both the Caldecott Medal (They Were Strong and Good, 1941) and the Newbery Medal (Rabbit Hill, 1945). Ben and Me earned a Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1961.
Lawson was a witty and inventive author, and his children's fiction is no less engaging for grown-ups. One of his inventive themes was the idea of a person's life as seen through the eyes of a companion animal, an approach that he first realized in Ben and Me. Some of his later books employed the same device (which was compatible with his style of illustration) to other figures, such as Christopher Columbus (I Discover Columbus) and Paul Revere (Mr. Revere and I). Captain Kidd's Cat, which he both wrote and illustrated, is narrated by the feline in the title, named McDermot, who tells the story of the famous pirate's ill-starred voyage, in the process of which he is shown to have been a brave, upright, honest, hen-pecked man betrayed by his friends and calumniated by posterity. His artistic witticism and creativity can be seen in The Story of Ferdinand the Bull, where he illustrates a cork tree as a tree that bears corks as fruits, ready to be picked and placed into bottles.
In the early 1930s, Lawson became interested in etching. One of the resulting prints was awarded the John Taylor Arms Prize by the Society of American Etchers.
Lawson died in 1957 at his home in Westport, Connecticut, in a house that he referred to as Rabbit Hill, since it had been the setting for his book of the same name. He was 64. He is buried in Mountain Grove Cemetery, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. An annual conference is held in his honor in Westport.
The Robert Lawson Papers are in the University of Minnesota Children's Literature Research Collections.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 414 reviews
October 28, 2017
I loved this cartoon Disney did as a child. I never thought it was based on a book. I finally got around to reading this. It is delightful. The cartoon does not have them go to France and both Amos and Ben go to France in this book. Disney lifted most of the scenes from the book.
It is fun to see the play between Mouse and Ben and the history of our country. It is an interesting way to tell history. This book still rings true and is so playful with your imagination. The language still works. I think it is still a great book for kids. You can't help but love Amos.
Great read.
It is fun to see the play between Mouse and Ben and the history of our country. It is an interesting way to tell history. This book still rings true and is so playful with your imagination. The language still works. I think it is still a great book for kids. You can't help but love Amos.
Great read.
June 25, 2008
David McCullogh says "I can never be in Old Christ Church without wondering if perhaps some of Amos's line are still there, back behind the paneling."
May 25, 2011
Approximate date of first read: 1983
Impressions: The story would probably make it easier for a kid to remember facts about Benjamin Franklin (the printing press, the electrical experiments, etc.). I liked that the writing style was reminiscent of 18th century writing while still being age-appropriate.
How it warped me: Whenever I think about Benjamin Franklin (which is kind of a lot), I think of him wearing a nasty old hat with a mouse inside of it. I don't know, maybe it also taught me a lesson or two about collaboration and the importance of a strong support network in the creative process. But mostly, I learned that Benjamin Franklin is gross.
Impressions: The story would probably make it easier for a kid to remember facts about Benjamin Franklin (the printing press, the electrical experiments, etc.). I liked that the writing style was reminiscent of 18th century writing while still being age-appropriate.
How it warped me: Whenever I think about Benjamin Franklin (which is kind of a lot), I think of him wearing a nasty old hat with a mouse inside of it. I don't know, maybe it also taught me a lesson or two about collaboration and the importance of a strong support network in the creative process. But mostly, I learned that Benjamin Franklin is gross.
October 26, 2024
I was unimpressed with the historical quality of the book. I found the premise of the mouse being Benjamin Franklin’s pet confusing me as to what was truly historical, and what was fiction (ironic, isn’t it? You’d think something so fantastical as a talking mouse would be clearly fictional!). Even read as pure fiction, I didn’t love it. 🤷🏻♀️
August 23, 2020
I cannot stress how much I loved Robert Lawson when I was kid. Ben and Me is a great book to introduce children to Ben Franklin. Yes, his warts are removed. I mean, it's told from the viewpoint of a mouse. But it does provide a good entry point into American history.
March 23, 2008
They made us watch the cartoon version in history class. We also watched Labyrinth in health class, and Vincent Price's Tales of Terror in math class. So, understandably, I cringe when liberal arts colleges hand out film studies degrees: it's like these kids went to college to have four years of my sixth grade.
August 5, 2012
As I child, I adored this book. I think it was ahead of its time in its use of irony, and the illustrations are priceless. It was one of those books long laughed over and remembered, a milestone in children's literature that still makes me smile with its warmth and humor. I couldn't wait to share it with my children. I love it and highly recommend it.
June 5, 2013
I read this short tale out loud to the kids. The fact that it was first published in 1939 might account for the plethora of vocabulary words it contains. But the kids followed along just fine and learned a little about Ben Franklin to boot. The story is narrated by Ben's pet mouse Amos who enjoys taking most of the credit for Ben's inventions.
October 28, 2017
I have vague recollections of finding this humorous as a kid, but I don't think I enjoyed this as much as an adult. Too much of the book is concerned with making Franklin seem like a clueless buffoon. As an adult, I understand the humor, but I have a hard time believing that kids would get it to the necessary degree. Other aspects, particularly at the end, are more about a mouse adventure. I think kids get that just fine, though they would likely miss the revolutionary references. A good deal of the historical content requires readers to have a knowledge of the real biography of Franklin. I don't see this book as a substitute for a top quality juvenile biography, and I would only recommend it to children who are truly ready to understand and appreciate the satirical elements.
August 11, 2010
3 1/2 stars. Quite a cute book and lots of fun--maybe not the most memorable for me, but certainly enjoyable :-)
April 8, 2019
Incidents in the life of Ben Franklin, as relayed by his servant and boon companion, a talking mouse. Key points in Franklin's adult life are fictionalized, but hopefully in such a way that the child will remember that Franklin was involved in the American Revolution, did experiments with electricity, was ambassador to France, published almanacs, was a pusher of aphorisms, etc.
My giant county library system is an excellent source for many terrible books published within the last five minutes, but is rather shaky on anything else. However, the library sales are fantastic. Piles of fascinating-looking books, neatly organized, and often ones half-remembered from my childhood or from random internet reviews. Really, they should dump their collections and instead stock from donations. These sales are great source for injecting things into my now hyperlexic DS#1 (age 8)'s reading stream. Specifically things that are not the terrible Star Wars novelizations he tends to come home with on his own.
Plus I get to read them, too.
Me: 3.5*
DS#1: 4*
My giant county library system is an excellent source for many terrible books published within the last five minutes, but is rather shaky on anything else. However, the library sales are fantastic. Piles of fascinating-looking books, neatly organized, and often ones half-remembered from my childhood or from random internet reviews. Really, they should dump their collections and instead stock from donations. These sales are great source for injecting things into my now hyperlexic DS#1 (age 8)'s reading stream. Specifically things that are not the terrible Star Wars novelizations he tends to come home with on his own.
Plus I get to read them, too.
Me: 3.5*
DS#1: 4*
December 19, 2023
From my son when asked if he would recommend the book:
"Not on your life! Well, it's too short and you don't learn much information. I only recommend it to people who don't know much about Ben Franklin."
"Not on your life! Well, it's too short and you don't learn much information. I only recommend it to people who don't know much about Ben Franklin."
September 7, 2012
I discovered this little book in the donation bin at work and was ecstatic. Ben and Me had been a favorite Disney short of mine growing up, and I had no idea that it had been a book.
Surprisingly, (surprising because the book itself is quite short) there are a lot of changes from the book to the film. The movie just dealt with Benjamin Franklin's largest inventions; the Franklin Stove, bifocals, and his experimentation of electricity, as well as his work with the Revolutionary War.
The book, however, goes into a lot of detail in such few pages (only 113 with illustrations). Not only does Amos help Franklin with a lot of his work, he's basically the one who accomplishes it all and Ben is really almost just the mouthpiece and hands. Amos travels with Ben to France and while there, Amos even helps liberate a family of mice and brings them home to America!
After reading the book, I went right back to youtube to find the film (barely fifteen minutes long). This is a very fun, historical read for kids, or even adults, if like me, you have fond memories of the film from your childhood.
Surprisingly, (surprising because the book itself is quite short) there are a lot of changes from the book to the film. The movie just dealt with Benjamin Franklin's largest inventions; the Franklin Stove, bifocals, and his experimentation of electricity, as well as his work with the Revolutionary War.
The book, however, goes into a lot of detail in such few pages (only 113 with illustrations). Not only does Amos help Franklin with a lot of his work, he's basically the one who accomplishes it all and Ben is really almost just the mouthpiece and hands. Amos travels with Ben to France and while there, Amos even helps liberate a family of mice and brings them home to America!
After reading the book, I went right back to youtube to find the film (barely fifteen minutes long). This is a very fun, historical read for kids, or even adults, if like me, you have fond memories of the film from your childhood.
May 14, 2014
2009 - This is the story of Benjamin Franklin's adult life from the time just before he invents the Franklin Stove to his 81st birthday. Told through the eyes of a mouse,Amos, who lives in Franklin's worn out fur hat. Amos is quite intelligent and he and Ben become friends and it is Amos who leads the doddering Franklin around and gives him some of his greatest ideas about electricity, through the Revolution and later on his journey and stay in France.
A comic story, certainly not to be taken as a true story of Franklin. While it does hit upon the true events of Franklin's life it pokes fun at him and is more enjoyed by someone who already knows the famous man's life story and accomplishments however briefly. Since Ben Franklin had been brought up in our other recent read-alouds my 8yo understood the comedy of the situation and really found the mouse and the circumstances Ben found himself in quite funny. This is the second time I've read this book and think it is a delightful book for children. But do make sure they know who Franklin is first so they can enjoy the book to it's fullest.
A comic story, certainly not to be taken as a true story of Franklin. While it does hit upon the true events of Franklin's life it pokes fun at him and is more enjoyed by someone who already knows the famous man's life story and accomplishments however briefly. Since Ben Franklin had been brought up in our other recent read-alouds my 8yo understood the comedy of the situation and really found the mouse and the circumstances Ben found himself in quite funny. This is the second time I've read this book and think it is a delightful book for children. But do make sure they know who Franklin is first so they can enjoy the book to it's fullest.
March 8, 2016
My 3rd grade (reluctant) reader read this for school and found it entertaining. It's educational and the mouse's humor kept his attention. Win-win.
November 8, 2023
It cannot be denied that Benjamin Franklin was a great man. He was a writer, a scientist, an inventor, and a diplomat. His experiments with lightning and electricity made him world famous. He also played an important role in our nation’s fight for independence. Yes, Ben Franklin was a great man, but how was he able accomplish all these things by himself? According to author Robert Lawson, Franklin may have had a little help in the form of a wise mouse named Amos.
“Since the recent death of my lamented friend…Ben Franklin,” Amos writes, “many so-called historians have attempted to write accounts of his life and his achievements. Most of these are wrong in so many respects that I feel the time has now come for me to take pen in paw and set things right…For many years I was his closest friend and adviser and, if I do say it, was in great part responsible for his success and fame.”
In Amos’ account, it is he who gives Franklin the idea to build the first indoor stove. In exchange for cheese and a warm home in the friend’s fur cap, Amos does not object to his friend receiving all the credit for the invention of the “Franklin stove.” In addition, he plays a major role in the writing of the Declaration of Independence. If that isn’t enough history-making, while he is in Paris with Franklin, Amos manages to touch off a mouse-sized version of the French Revolution!
Despite all of his accomplishments, though, Amos’ source of pride is simply keeping Ben Franklin out of mischief. This is not always an easy task. Despite Amos’ objections, Franklin regularly went swimming. “[A] dangerous, unsanitary and barbarous custom,” complains the mouse, that one day leads to trouble. Then there is Franklin’s interest with lightning and electricity, two things that are “both annoying, horrid, dangerous nuisances that should be let strictly alone,” states Amos. Of course, the great inventor’s experiments cause problems (and singed fur) for the ever-patient mouse.
“Ben was undoubtedly a splendid fellow, a great man, a patriot and all that,” summarizes Amos after Franklin’s death, “but he was undeniably stupid at times, and had it not been for me-well, here’s the true story, and you can judge for yourself.”
In Ben and Me: an Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos, find out the true story of a genius and patriot, and the man that he helps out.
“Since the recent death of my lamented friend…Ben Franklin,” Amos writes, “many so-called historians have attempted to write accounts of his life and his achievements. Most of these are wrong in so many respects that I feel the time has now come for me to take pen in paw and set things right…For many years I was his closest friend and adviser and, if I do say it, was in great part responsible for his success and fame.”
In Amos’ account, it is he who gives Franklin the idea to build the first indoor stove. In exchange for cheese and a warm home in the friend’s fur cap, Amos does not object to his friend receiving all the credit for the invention of the “Franklin stove.” In addition, he plays a major role in the writing of the Declaration of Independence. If that isn’t enough history-making, while he is in Paris with Franklin, Amos manages to touch off a mouse-sized version of the French Revolution!
Despite all of his accomplishments, though, Amos’ source of pride is simply keeping Ben Franklin out of mischief. This is not always an easy task. Despite Amos’ objections, Franklin regularly went swimming. “[A] dangerous, unsanitary and barbarous custom,” complains the mouse, that one day leads to trouble. Then there is Franklin’s interest with lightning and electricity, two things that are “both annoying, horrid, dangerous nuisances that should be let strictly alone,” states Amos. Of course, the great inventor’s experiments cause problems (and singed fur) for the ever-patient mouse.
“Ben was undoubtedly a splendid fellow, a great man, a patriot and all that,” summarizes Amos after Franklin’s death, “but he was undeniably stupid at times, and had it not been for me-well, here’s the true story, and you can judge for yourself.”
In Ben and Me: an Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos, find out the true story of a genius and patriot, and the man that he helps out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2020
Another great, satirical book by Lawson!
If you've read "Mr. Revere and I" by Lawson, than you know what a treat you're in for. If you haven't read it, than you better get reading, because both titles are winners!
Written from a mouse's point of view, you'll see many of Benjamin Franklin's great moments; moments that the mouse claims were feats of his doing. So while it might not be entirely historical, and pokes a little fun at Franklin, it's a delightfully entertaining story that your family is sure to love!
Ages: 6+
Children's Bad Words
Name Calling - 2 Incidents: rabble, scum,
Religious Profanities - 1 Incident: by Heaven
Religious & Supernatural - None
Violence - None
Attitudes/Disobedience - None
Conversation Topics - 1 Incident: Mentions ale and brandy.
Romance Related - 1 Incident: It is hinted that France is desirable because it has beautiful ladies.
Parent Takeaway
A great, satirical book! Written from a mouse's point of view, you'll see many of Benjamin Franklin's great moments; moments that the mouse claims were feats of his doing. So while it might not be entirely historical, and pokes a little fun at Franklin, it's a delightfully entertaining story that your family is sure to love!
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
If you've read "Mr. Revere and I" by Lawson, than you know what a treat you're in for. If you haven't read it, than you better get reading, because both titles are winners!
Written from a mouse's point of view, you'll see many of Benjamin Franklin's great moments; moments that the mouse claims were feats of his doing. So while it might not be entirely historical, and pokes a little fun at Franklin, it's a delightfully entertaining story that your family is sure to love!
Ages: 6+
Children's Bad Words
Name Calling - 2 Incidents: rabble, scum,
Religious Profanities - 1 Incident: by Heaven
Religious & Supernatural - None
Violence - None
Attitudes/Disobedience - None
Conversation Topics - 1 Incident: Mentions ale and brandy.
Romance Related - 1 Incident: It is hinted that France is desirable because it has beautiful ladies.
Parent Takeaway
A great, satirical book! Written from a mouse's point of view, you'll see many of Benjamin Franklin's great moments; moments that the mouse claims were feats of his doing. So while it might not be entirely historical, and pokes a little fun at Franklin, it's a delightfully entertaining story that your family is sure to love!
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
September 25, 2013
Another morning at breakfast read with my 7 year old grandson, and a good choice for conversation. We both enjoyed the lively fantasy of Amos the mouse and his adventures with Ben Franklin. I felt compelled to correct some of the history--especially about Franklin's invention of the lightening rod, which was told rather creatively, somewhat after the fashion of the whimsical stories about the childhood of George Washington by another author which have been accepted by many children as true stories. It may be fun to play with history in fiction, but I find it necessary to correct places where fact and fiction collide in ways that children may accept as fact.
Despite the flights of fancy, this is just a fun and exciting adventure fantasy which two guys, 60 years apart in age, both found to be a good story. The illustrations by the author were worthy of a full fledged picture book.
It is well written and offers many opportunities for further exploration into the fascinating life of a very significant figure in the early life of of the United States.
Despite the flights of fancy, this is just a fun and exciting adventure fantasy which two guys, 60 years apart in age, both found to be a good story. The illustrations by the author were worthy of a full fledged picture book.
It is well written and offers many opportunities for further exploration into the fascinating life of a very significant figure in the early life of of the United States.
December 1, 2014
"Since the recent death of my lamented friend and patron Ben Franklin, many so-called historians have attempted to write accounts of his life and his achievements. Most of these are wrong in so many respects that I feel the time has now come for me to take pen in paw and set things right.
All of these ill-informed scribblers seem astonished at Ben's great fund of information, at his brilliant decisions, at his seeming knowledge of all that went on about him.
Had they asked me, I could have told them. It was ME.
For many years I was his closest friend and adviser and, if I do say it, was in great part responsible for his success and fame.
Not that I wish to claim too much: I simply hope to see justice done, credit given where credit is due, and that's to me - mostly.
Ben was undoubtedly a splendid fellow, a great man, a patriot and all that; but he was undeniably stupid at times, and had it not been for me - well, here's the true story, and you can judge for yourself."
All of these ill-informed scribblers seem astonished at Ben's great fund of information, at his brilliant decisions, at his seeming knowledge of all that went on about him.
Had they asked me, I could have told them. It was ME.
For many years I was his closest friend and adviser and, if I do say it, was in great part responsible for his success and fame.
Not that I wish to claim too much: I simply hope to see justice done, credit given where credit is due, and that's to me - mostly.
Ben was undoubtedly a splendid fellow, a great man, a patriot and all that; but he was undeniably stupid at times, and had it not been for me - well, here's the true story, and you can judge for yourself."
February 1, 2015
So many books about american history in my childhood. Clearly it is the only history that matters, my childhood books insist. MORE AND MORE FOUNDING FATHERS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONLY WORTHY AND SAFE ROLE MODELS.
Fun book, though.
Fun book, though.
May 3, 2022
Read this as a child, and to Jake when he was young. Just read a third time for parent child book club. A fun read, giving a view of Ben Franklin's life from a mouse's point of view - taking credit for most of Franklin's accomplishments! (Library)
October 25, 2015
Charming children's book! Cute spin on history.
November 29, 2016
adorable
December 7, 2016
Read this aloud to eldest to coincide with her American history lessons for 4th grade. Fun fictional account of Ben Franklin's life.
October 18, 2021
This is a 5 star rating from my little guy. He loved this book! 4 star for me... The artwork is amazing as always from Robert Lawson...
March 14, 2019
Clever Robert Lawson! What a witty conceit he came up with here, to relate the biography of a famous man through the eyes of an animal companion. They say no man is a hero to his valet: it follows, then, that no man can be a hero to his pet. Sure enough, Amos the mouse (who lives in Ben Franklin's hat) is the brains behind Franklin's bumbling operation, the one who came up with the improved stove and kept his partner from electrical disaster. Along the way Amos saves a beautiful French mouse and her family from prison at the court of Louis XVI and returns to Philadelphia in triumph. An utterly charming - if historically not quite correct - retelling of an American hero's life.
March 11, 2021
I liked this one a lot but not as much as Mr. Revere and I. It went off the historical narrative more than my liking while Mr. Revere and I stays true to history. That being said Amos was just adorable. I wanted to cuddle him! and the illustrations of him were sooo stinking cute!!! I'm 15 but I'd recommend this book for 8-12 years (broadly) or as a great read allowed.
February 25, 2018
The story of Ben Franklin as told by his friend, Amos the mouse.
I remember this one being better when I was a kid, but this time around I found the language too stilted for a kid's book, and Charlie didn't really enjoy it much, either. *shrug*
I remember this one being better when I was a kid, but this time around I found the language too stilted for a kid's book, and Charlie didn't really enjoy it much, either. *shrug*
November 9, 2021
My 11 year old had to read this for school, so I decided to read it too. I thought it was cute and an interesting way to present information on Ben Franklin. My 11 year old says, “it’s not my fave”. I think that is her way of saying it is boring. Lol.
October 7, 2023
This was the first book in our CC kids book club for the year and it was a lot of fun! All of my kids enjoyed it and it has short, easy chapters! Great way to learn/explore a little of the American revolution and get to know Benjamin Franklin !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 414 reviews