Product Description
Franklin and Bear can hardly wit to set out on the camping trip with their fathers.They will canoe across two lakes and pitch tents on the beach of a deserted island ­ ³just like real explorers.² The two friends soon learn that exploring can be hard work.But by the time they canoe across the lakes, their arms are sore and the beach is crowded with other campers.Still, they manage to find the perfect campsite, and they even have enough energy left for a moonlight swim! ... Read more

Product Description
Franklin helps his friends build their own collection of trading cards. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

It's Not Natural, But I Can See What They Were Trying For
Normally, "Franklin" books are great stories. Theyr'e fun to read and have interesting characters and dialogue. However, that doesn't seem to be the case here.

There are two main problems with this version of "Franklin's Trading Cards." The first one is the striking lack of resemblance to the television episode on which it is based. Sometimes this can be a good thing, but the changes really aren't for the better. The television episode features both Snail and Goose in major roles, but they're completely absent from this story, fundamentally altering the plot. The other major change in the basic story (there are others, but of less importance) is a major difference in the ending. I won't spoil it, but it's completely untrue to the original ending. The second major problem is the dialogue. Usually, the dialogue in the "Franklin" series is interesting and, most importantly, natural. The characters speak, for the most part, just like you would expect real kids to speak. Not so in this story. Typical lines include: "I will eat Fly Krispy cereal for lunch and supper. ... I will make Fly Krispy squares for dessert." Note the avoidance of contractions, a pattern which seems to hold true with only a few exceptions in the book.

I understand what's being attempted here. The writers are trying to bring the dialogue down to a level intended for a younger audience, as part of this new "Kids Can Read" series. But the result is an unexciting story and unnatural dialogue. Fans of the series will probably want to avoid this one and watch the well-written television episode on which it is based instead.

Finding a win-win solution
Franklin the turtle eats lots of Fly Krispy cereal to collect the Superhero
Trading cards inside.His friends follow along, even though they don't like the
cereal.When Franklin finally gets two of the rare Super Cat cards, he faces a
problem of envy and fairness with his friends.He finds a kind and moral
solution that also allows him to get what he wants most.Not saccharin or
heavy-handed, like many such stories. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good in Spanish or English!
This was the first in the Franklin-in-Spanish series of books that I read with my daughter. My daughter loves for me to read it to her, each sentence first in Spanish, then in English.

It (as well as the other books in this series) is great for two reasons. First, they teach the life lessons that Franklin books and videos typically teach.

But second, for any person learning Spanish, they're also great for learning common vocabulary and expressions. You want to learn the kind of vocabulary and expressions that everybody will know? Look at a book written for five-year-olds!

Unfortunately, it's a bit depressing knowing that my current knowledge level is somewhat below a Latino pre-schooler. But if you can put aside your pride, this series is great for helping to learn the language.
... Read more

Product Description
Children will join letter carriers on their daily route, then follow Grandma's birthday card from mailbox to sorting machine, by truck and by plane on an international adventure. ... Read more

Product Description
Franklin the turtle anxiously awaits the arrival of spring as he looks forward to the birth of his new baby sister and the prospect of becoming a big brother. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

My little one has a blanket
My three year old son loves this book.We read it everynight and he is able to feel what Franklin is feeling, which is great.This is one book that keeps his attention. The first time he saw this book he screamed indelight about Frankiln having a blanket just like his.This is such a nicebook for all who have a blanket or for parents who had blankets.

for every kid with a special blanket.
My daughter and I love this book.After nearly 4 years of cuddling her blanket is tattered and torn just like Franklins.This is the first book she has been able to fully grasp the feelings of the characters in the bookand relate to them.For any kid who has a special blanket and felt thepanic of it missing this book will bring a smile.It let her know she isnot the only one who loves a blanket. ... Read more

Product Description
Franklin discovers a hideaway near his house -- perfect for a secret clubhouse. But there's only room for four members. Franklin becomes so busy with his secret club that he almost forgets about his other friends. When Beaver starts her own club, Franklin begins to understand how it feels to be left out. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Franklin's Secret Club
It was a cute book for my son.He is going to second grade and I think the book kep his attention and he understood the story well.

Secret Club
Franklin'sSecret Club is a good book for people that like Franklin.It is about a club but Franklin hears abouta different club.But that is all I will tell. Oh I forgot this is a geat book for character counts! Franklin said no to beaver about his club so beaver said no to him.Well thats all.

Franklin's Secret Club
This book is an exciting and educational book typical of the franklin series.Franklin's secret club teaches children the value of including everyone and the benefit of having everyones different ideas.Colourful large pictures and interesting events make the lesson an easy one to learn. ... Read more

Product Description
Franklin can hardly wait to show off his cool new bicycle helmet at the Bike Safety Rally. But before the rally, he overhears Fox and Beaver making fun of his helmet. Now he's ashamed! Some words of encouragement from Rabbit help him put things in perspective - he likes the helmet, and he's going to wear it! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

cute book
Our six year old daughter loved this book.
Teaches you to be yourself--no matter what others think.

Great
Franklin buys a new helmet that he just loves, but his friendsmake fun of that type of helmet. He feels embarrassed and hides it so that they will not know that he bought it. Later Rabbit shows and they make fun of her card in her bicycle wheels. He feels embarrassed. Finally Franklin overcomes his need to be cool and please his peers and wears the helmet. This book is great because it shows that kids they can be themselves and don't have to succumb to the "you have to do this or wear this or say this or be this in order to be cool or acceptable" pressure.

What a lot of good messages in one small book!
This simple story touched on all aspects bicycle safety, enjoying what you think is "cool" instead of giving in to peer pressure, and much more. My 4 year old even remarked about Franklin's borrowed helmet not fitting correctly(something I am always mentioning to a neighbor's child).

This is a good one to have in your collection, especially if you child has even the slightest reluctance about wearing a helmet! ... Read more

Product Description
Franklin is overjoyed when he learns that his good friend Otter will be coming back for a visit. But when Otter arrives, Franklin's dream of reliving the past is soon squelched. Otter rejects the happy face sandwiches she used to love.She's become such a good swimmer, Franklin can't keep up with her--and she can't keep up with him on the baseball field. They've both changed so much they wonder if they can still be friends. Happily, they find they're still bound by respect and affection--and they both still love a good slide down a river bank! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

good
book shows Franklin still wants to play old games but Otter has matured and finds those things babyish, but soon they realize they are still friends.

Decent Rerelease of Existing Franklin TV Storybook
"Franklin and His Friend" is a Scholastic reprint of a Franklin TV Storybook title published by Kids Can Press as "Franklin and Otter's Visit." What's unusual about this is that while Scholastic does sometimes reprint these TV storybooks, they don't usually change the title. You can find my thoughts about the overall story in the review for "Franklin and Otter's Visit," but here I'll just touch on the differences between this and the original version (other than the different publishers listed and the different title):

1. This version uses the United States spelling of words such as "favorite," while the Kids Can Press version uses the Canadian version, i.e. "favourite."

2. This book is slightly smaller than "Franklin and Otter's Visit," meaning some of the pictures look a bit different.

3. This is perhaps the most major difference --- this is a paperback book, while the Kids Can Press version is hardback.


Overall, there really isn't any reason not to buy this in favor of the other version, unless you prefer hardback. Just know that what you're getting isn't the original version, although it's pretty close. ... Read more

Product Description
Franklin invites neophyte player Skunk to join his side in a neighborhood hockey game, but he soon regrets it.Skunk can't skate fast, or pass the puck, or shoot on net. Because of Skunk, Franklin's team loses the game--an unacceptable result for Franklin,who is used to winning.He is about to let the dejected Skunk walk away from the team when he recalls that it was only through practice that he became a good player himself. The next day, Franklingives Skunk another chance and learns that there is more than one way to feel like a winner. ... Read more

Product Description
All her life, Dotty Rupert has been a serious, shy and sensible girl.But her secret wish was to be brave and wild and bold.Only there never seemed to be a chance...until the Minches came. ... Read more

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A turtle afraid of small dark places, and therefore of crawling into his shell, asks a variety of animals for advice, only to find out that each has a fear of its own. ... Read more

Product Description
Franklin's class is on a nature hike, looking for interesting things to add to the school nature display. Since Snail can't move very fast, Franklin insists on helping him -- until Snail becomes annoyed and sets off on his own. Franklin is hurt and puzzled. After all, he was just trying to help. But when Snail finds something extra special all by himself, Franklin realizes that his little friend doesn't always need help, and that Snail is capable of rising to any challenge in his own way. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

What's not to like?!
A very sweet story, with some gentle teaching.A nice book for family reading time. ... Read more

Product Description
Franklin forms a secret club with some of his friends, not realizing that his other friends might feel left out, and when Beaver starts her own club he discovers what it feels like to be excluded. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Otro libro bueno de Franklin
Cuando Franklin empieza un club, se le olvida incluir a sus amigos.El club es divertido hasta que sus amigos empiezan otro club. ¿Que puede hacer Franklin para unir los dos clubs?A mis hermanitos les encanta este libroy me piden que se los lea a menudo.Recomiendo este libro para niños de 3a 7 años. ... Read more