Franklin Goes to the Hospital

Valentina Cesaratto is a high-school teacher specializing in dramatic
arts and film studies.

Franklin is injured while playing with his friends. His injury doesn’t
appear serious, but his mother takes him to the doctor’s office just
to be sure. When the doctor tells Franklin that he will have to go to
the hospital for a small operation, the youngster is reluctant to go.
Despite the assurances he receives from his doctor, his parents, and his
friends, something feels wrong and he becomes very sad.

When Franklin is taken to get an X-ray, he begins to cry and refuses to
cooperate. He tells the doctor about his fear that once the X-ray is
taken everyone will see that he’s not brave at all. The doctor
reassures Franklin that the X-ray will show only his shell and bones,
and not his feelings. He also points out that “just because [Franklin
is] afraid doesn’t mean [he isn’t] brave.” Franklin has his
operation and goes home a courageous little turtle.

Like many other Franklin books, this well-written story carries an
implicit message for children—“being brave means doing what you have
to do, no matter how scared you feel”—and it would make an excellent
vehicle for parents and teachers to encourage children to discuss their
fears. Brenda Clark’s illustrations are brightly colored, detailed,
and wonderfully expressive (preschoolers can figure out how each
character feels just by following the characters’ facial expressions).
This delightful book is highly recommended.