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Benjamin Franklin Paperback – Picture Book, November 1, 1998

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 113 ratings

Recommended by:
The American Library Association
The Child Study Association
National Council for the Social Studies

Details the life of this famous American from his boyhood as one of the youngest of seventeen children, to his teen years as an apprentice in his brother's print shop and his later years as an inventor, statesman, diplomat, and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Children and adults alike will enjoy learning about the fascinating life Franklin led from the lively text and beautiful illustrations of this d'Aulaire classic. Folk art style illustrations are enhanced with pert aphorisms from
Poor Richard's Almanac on each page. Sayings include Franklin s originals like, Don t throw stones at your neighbors if your own windows are glass and Better slip with foot than by tongue and Well done is better than well said.

Readers will learn that Benjamin's father wanted him to be a candlemaker and that "it was a piece of luck that his kite experiment had not killed him." They will also come to know the inventor whose thirst for knowledge led him to constantly seek to improve the lives of his fellow men. Follow his life as a leader in the American Revolution and ambassador to both Britain and France and learn why the French hailed him as the man who "tore the lightning from the sky and the scepter from the tyrants."
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Editorial Reviews

Review

In Third Grade I wrote a book report on the d'Aulaire's Ben Franklin book. I still have that book report and the book itself! The d'Aulaire picture books are enchanting and unforgettable. I well remember their books on George Washington, Buffalo Bill, and Abraham Lincoln as well. They capture and celebrate the ineffable innocence and magic of childhood in a way I've simply never seen equaled. --Eric Metaxas, New York Times Bestselling author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery.

From the Publisher

In this outstanding picture book biography, first-time readers will meet one of America's most extraordinary historical figures. Inventor, philosopher, writer, publisher and adviser for the Declaration of Independence, Ben Franklin brought to a new and growing nation his intelligence and wit.

A NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Book in the Field of Social Studies, A Child Study Children's Book Committee: Children's Book of the Year.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beautiful Feet Books; Standard Edition (November 1, 1998)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0964380390
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0964380394
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.3 x 8.75 x 12 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 113 ratings

About the author

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Ingri D'Aulaire
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The work of Ingri and Edgar D'Aulaire has needed no introduction - their beautiful picture books have delighted countless children ever since. Ingri Mortenson and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire met in Munich where both were studying art in the 1920's. Ingri had grown up in Norway; Edgar, the son of a noted portrait painter, was born in Switzerland and had lived in Paris and Florence. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to the United States and began to create the picture books that have established their reputation for unique craftsmanship. Their books were known for their vivid lasting color. a result of the pain-staking process of stone lithography used for all their American history biographies. This was an old world craft in which they were both expert, which involved actually tracing their images on large slabs of Bavarian limestone. Throughout their long careers, Ingri and Edgar worked as a team on both art and text. Their research took them to the actual places of their biographies, including the countries of Italy, Portugal and Spain when they were researching Columbus; to the hills of Virginia while they researched Washington; and to the wilds of Kentucky and Illinois for Abraham Lincoln, winner of the Caldecott Medal. The fact that they spoke 5 languages fluently served them well in their European travels and in their research of original documents. Since their deaths in the 1980's, Ingri and Edgar's books and works have been kept alive by their two sons Ola and Nils.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
113 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's content and pictures. They find the stories well-written and interesting, making it a great addition to their history curriculum for younger students. The illustrations are beautifully done and spark their interest in biographies.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

12 customers mention "Readability"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's content and pictures. They find the stories well-written and engaging, making it an easy read for everyone. The illustrations and text are not overwhelming, making it a lovely biography for younger readers.

"...The stories inside are well written, and make a great addition to our history curriculum for the lower elementary grades." Read more

"my son and i read this book together. it was great! we enjoyed the content and the pictures...." Read more

"My daughter and son loved reading this book! The illustrations and text are not overwhelming- a lovely biography for the younger set." Read more

"Fun book! My son (7) looks forward to reading this. I read the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and what is covered in this is in his book." Read more

7 customers mention "Book content"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's content interesting and engaging. They say it provides useful information about Ben Franklin that is not found elsewhere. The book is well-researched, comprehensive, and a good introduction to history for young readers.

"...The stories inside are well written, and make a great addition to our history curriculum for the lower elementary grades." Read more

"...The illustrations and text are not overwhelming- a lovely biography for the younger set." Read more

"...There is so much info in this book about Ben Franklin that you don't usually find any place else...." Read more

"A winner by the D'Aulaires - very interesting and engaging, and a great addition to our history library. Will for sure look for their other titles!" Read more

4 customers mention "Visual quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the visual quality of the books. They find the illustrations gorgeous and appreciate the pictures.

"All of the biographical D'Aulaire books are gorgeously illustrated!! My children love to sit with them just to look at the illustrations...." Read more

"...it was great! we enjoyed the content and the pictures...." Read more

"Well written and illustrated. Comprehensive. Quality literature. A classic book to save and read again and again. Excellent for teaching." Read more

"Beautiful art..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2013
    All of the biographical D'Aulaire books are gorgeously illustrated!! My children love to sit with them just to look at the illustrations. The stories inside are well written, and make a great addition to our history curriculum for the lower elementary grades.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2012
    my son and i read this book together. it was great! we enjoyed the content and the pictures. i am always on the lookout for children's books with lots of history content that will keep my 2nd graders attention. this book did just that.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2017
    My daughter and son loved reading this book! The illustrations and text are not overwhelming- a lovely biography for the younger set.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2014
    I I could give it 6 stars, I would!! As a former 4th grade teacher, I used the hard cover of this book many years ago in the classroom. The kids looked forward to my reading a few pages to them every day after lunch. There is so much info in this book about Ben Franklin that you don't usually find any place else. It is written for children BUT as an adult, I learned a lot. I was shocked to learn how much the hard cover of this book costs today! So, I bought the soft covered book for my 12 year-old grandson. He has read it several times already and now quizes me on its content. This book is a must read for all children!
    15 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2017
    Fun book! My son (7) looks forward to reading this. I read the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and what is covered in this is in his book.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2014
    A winner by the D'Aulaires - very interesting and engaging, and a great addition to our history library. Will for sure look for their other titles!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2023
    This really is in good condition, but next time maybe have the decency to take the 50 cent sticker off of it? Feeling a little ripped off now.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2013
    This book was perfect for reading with my 4 year old at bedtime. She's learned a bit and likes being able to learn the same people the older kids study in History. This book would be fine for kids in 2nd grade or lower not to much info but just enough to get them asking more questions and wanting to learn more.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Stratton Strawless
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2017
    Great illustrations, bought it for a 6 year old but learned a lot myself.