Franklin's Valentines

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

Franklin’s Christmas Gift is the second Christmas story of Franklin
and his friends, following Franklin’s School Play (1996). Franklin
discovers the true spirit of giving when he must donate one of his own
toys to the collection box. At first, all of his toys seem too special
to give, but when he realizes this might be the only gift some child
will receive, none seems special enough. He finally chooses his lucky
marble collection and feels “good all over.” While children will
undoubtedly enjoy this story, it falls a little flat to adult ears. Use
it as a springboard to introduce the much-better Just Like New (1996) by
Ainslie Manson, which also depicts a child’s dilemma of choosing a
precious toy to give away.

Franklin’s Secret Club deals with the concept of belonging. Franklin
decides to create his own club, but because the secret hideaway is
small, he must exclude some of his friends. These friends form their own
club and its subsequent activities make Franklin’s club pale by
comparison. His envious reaction helps him understand how he has
offended his friends, so he offers to merge his Secret Club with their
Adventure Club. His offer is accepted and the Secret Adventure Club is
formed. This book is more successful than the other two because the
subject matter has more child appeal. Secret codes and passwords,
special handshakes, and hideaway picnics will capture a child’s
imagination, while feeling left out is an emotion that many children
experience.

As Franklin rushes for the school bus in Franklin’s Valentines, he
unknowingly drops all his valentines for the school party. When they are
discovered missing, his classmates are sympathetic and deliver their
valentines to him regardless. Franklin is still bothered, however, and
that night he decides to rectify matters. Next day at school he gives to
each of his classmates special cards he calls Friendship Day cards.
Although the story is slight, Franklin’s misery is palpable as he
hides in the cloakroom, feeling that he doesn’t belong at the party
without valentines to give. The busy illustrations are brimming over
with seasonal decorations and help to make this an entirely appropriate
read for Valentine’s Day.

Each of these books illustrates a lesson in getting along with others.
Despite the increasing didacticism disguised in the later Franklin
titles, these stories will charm young children. Recommended.