Franklin Plays the Game

Krystyna J. Higgins is the book review editor of the Toronto-based
Catholic New Times.

Franklin, the internationally beloved turtle, is back with four
delightful new titles. In Franklin Wants a Pet, Franklin begs his
parents for a pet. Encouraged by that perennial parental promise,
“We’ll think about it,” he discusses with his friends the pros and
cons of various pets. His final choice is a pet that makes him feel
“quiet and calm.”

Franklin Goes to School finds the turtle facing his first day of school
with a tummy that “feels like it is full of jumping frogs.”
Franklin’s worries are shared by his friends (and by first-day
schoolers everywhere): What will the teacher be like? Is there a
bathroom? Will there be snacks? Mr. Owl turns out to be a most
understanding teacher, however, and many new experiences combine to make
it “a wonderful day.”

In Franklin’s Blanket, the treasured item goes missing. A borrowed
blanket or a teddy bear is not the same! Children and adults alike will
chuckle at the humorous resolution in which vegetables play a prominent
role.

Finally, in Franklin Plays the Game, the little turtle’s soccer team
is stuck in a losing streak to the detriment of all the players’
self-esteem. Through a combination of luck and cooperation, however,
they learn how to turn their deficiencies into strengths, and how to
appreciate the meaning of real teamwork.

These latest titles continue the Franklin tradition of acknowledging in
a gentle and encouraging fashion the feelings, problems, and worries so
familiar to small children. Clark’s pictures glow with color and
personality. Especially enjoyable are the little “turtle” details
such as fly pie or the nightlight powered by fireflies. It is impossible
to read a Franklin book without smiling. Highly recommended.