Franklin's School Play

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

Many of the common anxieties of childhood are experienced by Franklin
and his animal friends. The outstanding author/illustrator team of
Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark explore stage fright in Franklin’s
School Play and reacting to having a friend move away in Franklin’s
Bad Day.

As eagerly anticipated, Franklin the turtle now stars in his own
Christmas book. Given the role of Nutcracker Prince in the Christmas
pageant, Franklin is worried that he will forget his lines. Caring
parents and teacher help alleviate his fear, but at the dress rehearsal
he is struck mute with stage fright. While showing his stand-in how to
perform his lines, however, Franklin discovers that he has overcome his
stage fright. The actual pageant is, of course, a rousing success. The
simple storyline is sensitively handled and will encourage children to
believe in themselves. This is a book to be treasured in homes and
schools for many Christmases to come.

In Franklin’s Bad Day, a cranky Franklin wakes up with an attitude;
things go from bad to worse until he is sent to his room. In a tantrum,
he kicks his castle and bursts into tears. His alarmed father discovers
that the tearful turtle is upset because Otter moved away. A few hugs
later, Franklin is convinced that he can maintain his friendship with
Otter through the mail. On his way to the mail box to post his parcel of
pictures for Otter, Franklin finally feels better. Franklin’s bad
behavior is easily understood by children, who often exhibit anger when
they are simply unhappy.

Illustrator Brenda Clark has perfectly captured the various emotions of
grumpiness, sadness, excitement, nervousness, and pride on all the
animals’ faces. The busy bustle in school preparing for the play and
the cosy comfort of home are depicted in rich, warm tones. Clark’s
attention to detail and her meticulous rendering of the comfortable
clutter in a child’s life have contributed immensely to the resounding
popularity of the Franklin books, which have now endeared themselves to
a generation of Canadian children. Highly recommended.