Franklin's Soapbox Derby

Stacey L. Penney is a librarian in the Queen Elizabeth II Library at
Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Each of these four titles is based on an episode of the Franklin
television series. All four stories contain a basic plot, simple text,
and predictable outcomes. Fans of Franklin will enjoy his daily
adventures and how he and his friends get into mischief.

In Franklin and the Bubble Gum, the young turtle finds a lucky penny
and spends it on some bubble gum. But the gum machine is broken, and
Franklin takes more than one piece. In the end, the youngster makes good
by paying for all the missing gum. In Franklin Has the Hiccups, the only
way Franklin can get rid of his hiccups is by breathing in pepper and
then sneezing. In Franklin’s Picnic, the youngster decides to hold a
picnic for all his friends. Trouble is, no one likes the food—until
Mom shows up with an ant pizza. In Franklin’s Soapbox Derby, Bear and
Franklin build a racing car to enter in Mr. Rabbit’s Soapbox Derby.
Their car crosses the finish line first—but without anyone in it.

In Franklin’s Picnic, Franklin and the Bubble Gum, and Franklin’s
Soapbox Derby, there is a subtle message about doing what is right and
appreciating individuality. However, it should be noted that in the
bubble gum story, Franklin makes a mistake and must be honest about it.
His friend Beaver is, nonetheless, very critical of him, and there is no
repercussion for Beaver’s overly harsh behaviour.

The books’ bright, colourful illustrations nicely complement the
stories. The text is clearly separated from the illustrations and lines
are well spaced to allow the beginning reader to pick apart the
individual words. Each book provides a good read-aloud story for
beginning readers.

Franklin Has the Hiccups, Franklin’s Picnic, and Franklin’s Soapbox
Derby are recommended. Franklin and the Bubble Gum is not.