A Picture Book of Benjamin Franklin

This story is about the history of Benjamin Franklin's life. It talks about his family, what kind of child he was growing up, his discoveries, and more. This book doesn't spend too much time talking about Franklin's inventions and discoveries so it is not the most ideal book for focusing on that aspect. However, teaching kids about the life of someone who had great accomplishments can inspire them to pursue a career in science. In the beginning of the story, the book talks about how Benjamin was good at handwriting and reading, but was not good at arithmetic. I relate to that and would never think of myself making amazing discoveries in science, but since Franklin did, kids might see that things that seem impossible can actually take place. ( )

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Born in Massachusetts, Benjamin always had new ideas from a very young age. He first invented swimming paddles at the age of 10. He didn't have the funds to stay in school so he worked with his father. Showing his progression, this book is very informative on the journey of Benjamin Franklin and his journey to setting up his own print shop and becoming very successful in what he does. ( )

This a wonderful easy-to-read informational biography about Benjamin Franklin. The illustrations in this book can attract all readers of different ages. This book is good for read-aloud, projects about famous people, and independent reading. This book is extremely informational, most people only know Benjamin Franklin as the guy who invented electricity, and this book shows you a whole new perspective on Benjamin Franklin. This book is fun to read due to the small amount of words on the page and the use of easy vocabulary. For example, I read a chapter book about Benjamin Franklin and it took them 5 pages to discuss the invention of swimming paddles and what they were used for, while this book used two sentences to explain Franklin's invention while still getting the same point across. This book provides the same amount of helpful information while sparing the boring details. Another part of the book I liked was the ending, where the author states, "People all over the world knew him as more than a printer. They knew him also as a writer, scientist, inventor, and statesman... also as a great American." This line is helpful for children to get a lasting image of who Benjamin Franklin is and why he is so important in history. ( )

Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706. He started school when he was eight years old, but his father did not have enough money to keep him in school. He started working in his fathers candle shop when he was ten years old. Franklin loved poetry, so he worked for his brother in a print shop from the age of twelve to the age of seventeen. He went to a different print shop when he was seventeen and met his wife, Deborah Reed. They had three children.Franklin opened his own print shop when he was twenty-two and published a newspaper called "The Pennsylvania Gazette." He retire at the age of forty-two because he was a rich man and had been working since he was young. He invented many things and proved that lightening is electricity. He was chosen to help write the Declaration of Independence. Franklin asked France if they would help America fight for independence and the French agreed. America won its independence and Franklin was an American hero. Franklin died in 1790.

I liked the book because it was an easy to read biography and you could quickly read this to students to inform them about Benjamin Franklin's life.

Adler mentions the different places the Franklin lived, so you could show students on a map where those places are located. You could teach students why lightening is electricity. You also could tell students about the Declaration of Independence.

You could have students identify the main topic and retell key details from the text. You could also have students write about the story. They should include the topic, write about some facts from the story, and provide a closing statement. ( )