Franklin the Turtle Books For Reading Level Ages 4 - 8

Kids Love Franklin the Turtle Books

I volunteered at a few elementary schools two days a week helping out children that were not at their expected reading level in a program called, The Reading Club. The children would come and pick out a book and we’d meet twice a week for about half an hour. This was one on one and it was so rewarding to see after a few short months how much these children had improved. Many of the younger children would pick out Franklin the Turtle books to read.

Background on Franklin the Turtle

Franklin was inspired from a M.A.S.H. episode where Hawkeye refuses to go into a cave because he is claustrophobic. “If I were a turtle I would be afraid of my own shell”, is what Hawkeye said in the CAVE episode. Franklin In The Dark, transpired and was written by Paulette Bourgeois a Canadian author, and illustrated by Brenda Clarke from Toronto, Canada. This book is about how Franklin is afraid to go into his shell because it is dark. Many of the Franklin books are geared towards helping children that have fears, anxieties and insecurities that so many children face.

Franklin the Turtle Books 1986 - 2003

Here Are Five Of My Favorite Franklin Books

Follow Franklin as he goes to school for the first time in the book Franklin Goes To School. He is nervous, excited and a little fearful of starting school. One of my favorite books as so many children can relate to this book.

Read how all of Franklin's friends explain to him that storms are cloud giant's bowling in Franklin And The Thunderstorm.

When Franklin Fibs find out what he has to do when his friends ask him to prove that he can actually eat 76 flies.

Franklin Goes To The Hospital is a wonderful book for anyone that has a child that needs to be prepared and reassured that going to the hospital is not as scary as it may seem.

See what happens when Franklin Is Bossy and has to play all by himself because he is always the one picking the games to play and his friends get tired of this. He gets into an argument with his friend Bear, but in the end he apologizes. This book teaches children how to take turns.

All of the Franklin books are beautifully illustrated, available to purchase in soft and hard cover, and a must own for anyone that has small children.

More Wonderful Children's Books

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© 2011 Susan Zutautas

Comments

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on July 26, 2012:

dahoglund, That's interesting. I can never figure that out myself.

Don A. Hoglund from Wisconsin Rapids on July 25, 2012:

These books may be what made turtles recognizable in search engines. I had posted a few stories as hubs that I wrote for my children when they were young. Of the five the one titled "The Turtle' seemed to get hits whereas the others didn't. These books might be the reason why.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on June 10, 2011:

Chatkath, Glad you enjoyed my Franklin hub. He is cute isn't he :)

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Kathy from California on June 10, 2011:

I guess we have moved beyond the Dick and Jane series? LOL - that is what I used....

Looks like we have come a long way since then, this is great information Susan! Thank you for sharing!

Kelly Umphenour from St. Louis, MO on June 08, 2011:

I know! I really learned to read with those books. I would be so excited to move up to a new one:). I'm showing my age, aren't I? LOL

My favorite book - as a child;) - was Ann Likes Red. (red, red, red!)

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on June 08, 2011:

Dick and Jane now that's going back a number of decades :) That is how I learned how to read. See Dick run, see Jane run........Brings back memories :)

Stacy Harris from Hemet, Ca on June 07, 2011:

OMG - Dick and Jane - there was a bunch of those at the bookstore today... I was almost trying to get my six year old to get those but I couldn't help but laugh because Look at Dick. He is going to the store! LOL

Kelly Umphenour from St. Louis, MO on June 07, 2011:

I didn't realize Franklin was that old either - I only hear of him when Syd was little (like 7 years ago!).

I was cleaning out the garage recently and found an old Dick and Jane reader! They were so fun to read - remember those?

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on June 07, 2011:

barbergirl, Franklin is getting to be and old turtle :). These are great books to practice with.

Ruby, I agree and thanks for reading.

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on June 07, 2011:

These are wonderful books. Many children need the added reassurance.

Stacy Harris from Hemet, Ca on June 07, 2011:

I never realized that Franklin has been around this long. We just went to the Bookstore today and let the girls pick out a book for the summer. I wish I would have read this a little earlier... I might have suggested this to my 6 year old for a book she can practice reading.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on June 07, 2011:

Hi Bill, Thanks for reading and they have been out since 1986 and are quite the popular book series for Children.

WillStarr from Phoenix, Arizona on June 07, 2011:

I think we bought a couple of these for our daughter, years ago.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on June 07, 2011:

Spirit Whisperer Thank you so much for your comments. My reward for reading with children is the joy of seeing the great progress that they make with just a little help and attention.

Xavier Nathan from Isle of Man on June 07, 2011:

These seem like a useful series for children and I am impressed by their covert messages to helping children with their fears and anxieties. I am also impressed by your willingness to give so selflessly of your time and energy for no reward other than helping children to read.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on June 07, 2011:

Phillbert Thank you.

Phillip Drayer Duncan from The Ozarks on June 06, 2011:

Very cool!

Kelly Umphenour from St. Louis, MO on June 06, 2011:

Ha! That's fun - I am just waiting for dinner to cook and so Maddy and I looked at it. I quizzed her;) she remembers a lot of them. Even down to the detail that Franklins stuffed dog is named Sam! LOL

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on June 06, 2011:

Yes Mr. Owl the teacher and let's not forget skunk and beaver. There are more too http://www.funtrivia.com/en/ForChildren/Franklin-5...

Kelly Umphenour from St. Louis, MO on June 06, 2011:

LOL - really though - I didn't mind watching those with the kids. I can remember some very clearly:) he's so cute and so are the rest of the characters. The bear, the duck and isn't the owl a teacher? Haha!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on June 06, 2011:

JT Thanks for your comments.

JT Walters from Florida on June 06, 2011:

My son loves Franklin although it is hard for me to understand why. He finds Franklin to be calming. To bad Franklin's llife isn't like the real world of children.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on June 06, 2011:

lilibees I love Franklin too :) Thanks

RH some of the books were made into the shows. There are quite a few books. There are also 4 movies :0) Big Franklin fan I am.

Kelly Umphenour from St. Louis, MO on June 06, 2011:

I loved Franklin! It wasn't that long ago that we watched him on t.v. a lot:) the books sound familiar but I didn't even realize there were that many. Maybe they made the books into the little shows we saw?I need to go through and give those to my niece and nephews:) thanks for the reminder.

lilibees on June 06, 2011:

My little one love's Fraklin and well so do I! Great Hub!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on June 06, 2011:

Thanks daisyae.

drbj Yes I can think of a few adults myself too :) Thanks for commenting, always nice to see you.

drbj and sherry from south Florida on June 06, 2011:

Franklin seems to be one smart lil turtle. I can think of a few adults who might profit from reading his books regarding fibbing and being bossy.

Thanks for enhancing my Franlin-challenged knowledge.

daisyjae from Canada on June 06, 2011:

This hub brings back memories of reading these books to my kids when they were a bit smaller. Franklin was a favorite. Rated up/awesome!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on June 06, 2011:

CJ if your 3 year old likes watching Franklin I am sure he will love the books too. Thanks for stopping by to read my hub.

Chris Andrews from Norwalk, Ohio on June 06, 2011:

Interesting, my 3 yr old likes watching franklin. I will have to look into the books.