Franklin Helps Out

Christina Pike is an English and a Learning Resources Centre teacher at
Ascension Collegiate in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland.

Franklin and the Hero and Franklin Helps Out are both based on episodes
of the Franklin animated television series. In Franklin and the Hero,
Franklin and Snail learn an important lesson about what it means to be a
hero when they stop, reluctantly, to help Mrs. Muskrat. In Franklin
Helps Out, the young turtle tries to help Snail, but ends up doing
everything for him.

Franklin’s Friendship Treasury comprises four Franklin stories about
friendship reprinted from the original series of books. In “Franklin
Has a Sleepover,” Bear stays overnight at Franklin’s house while he
awaits the arrival of his baby sister. In “Franklin’s Bad Day,”
Franklin has a difficult time coping with Otter’s move. In “Franklin
Finds a Friend,” the young turtle befriends the new kid on the block.
In “Franklin’s Secret Club,” he learns a lesson about what it
feels like to be left out.

Unfortunately, the illustrations in the two books based on the
television series are not as vibrant as those in the “original” book
series; nor are the characters as alive. The hardcover Franklin’s
Friendship Treasury offers excellent value for the price. Recommended.