ANNOTATION

When his animal friends offer amusing explanations for thunder and lightning, Franklin overcomes his fear of such storms.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

When a flash of lightening sends Franklin scurrying into his shell, he refuses to come out until his friends make him laugh with their tall tales of what causes storms. When Beaver explains what really causes lightning and thunder, Franklin begins to feel much safer. Full color. 32 pp. Ages 3-7. Pub: 3/98.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Trina Heidt

While playing outdoors, Franklin and his friends are caught in the middle of a thunderstorm. Franklin, of course, is frightened and at first chance hides in his shell. The others are not as scared and they try to persuade Franklin to come out by telling him amusing stories about what makes the thunder and lightning and by finally telling him how it is really made. Franklin finally comes out of his shell feeling somewhat comforted. In the tradition of the Franklin stories, the author and creator of this lovable turtle, Paulette Bourgeois, has created another fun-to-read tale that also teaches youngsters valuable lessons.

School Library Journal

PreS-K--Franklin Tortoise's anxiety as he senses an approaching thunderstorm is not appeased by Fox, Hawk, or Beaver, all of whom find inclement weather rather exciting. They reassure their friend that there is nothing to worry about once they are inside a snug burrow. Franklin, nevertheless, retreats into his shell until they tell him that the noise from thunder is just cloud giants bowling and playing drums in the sky and that lightning is made by cloud giants turning their lights off and on. Owl, though, has a more scientific explanation that amazes them all. Soon the storm subsides and a rainbow appears. The simple story is accompanied by garishly bright illustrations of somewhat precious animals at play. Patricia Polacco's Thundercake (Philomel, 1990) addresses the subject with considerably more charm, but for additional material, where Franklin books are popular, this one might be an option.--Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY