Franklin's Music Lessons

Elizabeth Fisher is a former elementary-school principal in Toronto, who
spent 10 years as a teacher-librarian.

The Kids Can Read, Level 2, readers are aimed at “Kids [Who] Can Read
with Help.” In both books, Franklin sets out to do something,
encounters a problem, deals with it, and achieves success.

The first book has Franklin wanting to become a magician, so he learns
some tricks and stages a show for his friends. But the trick for making
himself disappear doesn’t work. After Franklin tells his parents about
his failure, his father helps him to learn some easier tricks. Franklin
invites his friends over again and this time the tricks work. With his
confidence now restored, any future magical disappearances are
guaranteed. Young readers will find this story a satisfying read.

The second book has Franklin wanting to learn how to play “Row, Row,
Row, Your Boat” on the piano, but not wanting to practise. A music
lesson with Mrs. Panda inspires him to try again. But he still finds
piano practice boring, so baseball practice wins out over the piano.
Still, practice makes perfect. Practicing throwing the ball so
strengthens Franklin’s arm that he becomes the best bell-ringer in the
class band. The repetition of words and phrases in this humorous story
will be beneficial to early readers when they encounter unfamiliar
words.

Both books feature expressive characters in colorful cartoonlike
illustrations that are as entertaining as the stories. Young readers
will enjoy these books. Highly recommended.