August 1, 2001
In Franklin's Thanksgiving, based on characters created by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark, the turtle and his family are disappointed when Grandma and Grandpa can't make it, but they find unexpected fun and friendship as they prepare for the annual feast.
September 1, 2001
PreS-Gr 2-Franklin loves Thanksgiving and especially looks forward to his grandparents' visit. However, a week before the holiday, he learns that grandma and grandpa won't be coming for dinner this year. When the young turtle learns that Mr. Owl's relatives are not visiting either, he invites him to join his family, deciding that "This would be a wonderful surprise for his parents." Meanwhile, Franklin's mother decides to invite the Bear family and his father invites Mr. Mole, also without telling the others. Franklin invites the Moose family, too, since they are new in town. When the guests begin arriving, everyone is surprised to see who has come. All have brought platters and bowls heaped with food, and when the house becomes crowded, they move the feast outside-just like the early settlers. At the end of the day, Franklin's grandparents telephone and the young turtle tells them all about the new Thanksgiving tradition. They promise that they will be there next time. The story is thin. It's never explained why the grandparents disappoint their family by not coming, and letting them know by postcard seems very impersonal-particularly since they telephone on Thanksgiving night. Full-page and spot art show the very green turtle family engaging in all of the typical activities of the season, but there's still something lacking in this celebration.-Wendy S. Carroll, Montclair Cooperative School, NJ
Copyright 2001 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 15, 2001
Ages 4-6. Franklin the Turtle loves the family tradition of his grandparents coming over for Thanksgiving dinner. When they announce one year that they can't come, Franklin, his mother, and his father each plan to surprise the others by inviting friends and neighbors to share their feast. Luckily, this hospitable family really " does" like surprises involving unexpected dinner guests. The result is a happy holiday in the spirit of the season. Like several other stories in the Franklin series, this one was written by Jennings, though her name does not appear on the cover, which credits Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark; the title page states " ""Story based on characters created b" y" Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark." Not much conflict in this holiday story, but fans of the series will enjoy hanging out with Franklin in his latest book.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)
January 1, 2002
When Franklin's grandparents can't make it for Thanksgiving dinner, he secretly invites other friends. The meal eventually includes his parents' surprise guests as well. Like the other books about Franklin, this one is heavy on the moral but light on character or subtlety. The garish art depicts a bright green turtle child in his community of assorted animal friends.
(Copyright 2002 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)