Franklin's Classic Treasury

Alison Mews is co-ordinator of the Centre for Instructional Services at
Memorial University of Newfoundland.

This attractive hardcover contains four favorite Franklin tales,
including the very first one—Franklin in the Dark (1986). Also
included are Hurry Up, Franklin (1989), Franklin Fibs (1991), and
Franklin Is Bossy (1993). In each of these stories, Franklin exhibits
personality traits—fear of the dark, dawdling, fibbing, and
bossiness—that cause problems for him, which he manages to overcome in
a highly satisfactory manner. By exposing and exaggerating common
childhood social behavior through an endearing little turtle, Bourgeois
is able to then model appropriate and imaginative solutions that are
palatable to children. While parents and teachers appreciate the morals,
Bourgeois has used such a light hand in advancing them that children
respond to the storylines and humor, and identify with the characters.
The overall message reassures that whether Franklin is at his best or
worst, he is both loved and lovable.

Brenda Clark’s carefully detailed illustrations of the animal
characters, conveying emotive facial expressions and the cosy clutter of
a child’s environment, have captivated children from the first. And
her artwork in this collection has been re-created admirably.

These four stories are among the best loved of the Franklin books and
are thus well chosen for a classic treasury. With its secure binding and
cost lower than the individual hardcover editions, this book would be an
excellent purchase for new fans or for schools where the originals need
replacement. Recommended.