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Ben Franklin: His Wit and Wisdom from A-Z
This nontraditional tribute to Benjamin Franklinall in almanac formatis brimming with humorous cartoons, instructive adages, and a wealth of information about a Founding Father who was as amusing as he was amazing. Benjamin Franklin devised armonicas and bifocals, helped bring us the Constitution and signed the Declaration of Independence, and even experimented with elec
...moreHardcover, 32 pages
Published
February 7th 2011
by Holiday House
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Loads of interesting tidbits about this famous first American from A to Z accompanied with fantastic cartoon-like illustrations. Here are some of my favorites:
H---Hardening off: When Ben was a baby, his mother dunked him in cold water three times a day. Babies were dunked all the time in colonial America. "Hardening off" was thought to keep infants healthy.
L---L is for Library: Ben loved reading so much that he started the first subscription library in America. For a small fee, people could bor...more
H---Hardening off: When Ben was a baby, his mother dunked him in cold water three times a day. Babies were dunked all the time in colonial America. "Hardening off" was thought to keep infants healthy.
L---L is for Library: Ben loved reading so much that he started the first subscription library in America. For a small fee, people could bor...more
Making reading about history enjoyable for middle school aged children is a difficult task, but I believe Ben Franklin: His Wit and Wisdom From A-Z pulls it off quite nicely. Covering every aspect of Franklin’s life from his inventions, travels, his family, to his career as a politician, the text gives students a fairly complete picture of Franklin’s life. In the format of an alphabet book, the pace of the book is fast by the nature of moving from letter to letter. This keeps students from gett...more
While there is no shortage of books available on Ben Franklin and his amazing life, Alan Schroeder’s new picture book biography, written in an unusual almanac format uniquely suited to Franklin’s encyclopedic interests, is an attractive addition to books available for elementary school aged children. Written by Schroeder, author of other notable picture book biographies such as Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman, and illustrated by New Yorker cartoonist and children’s book illustrator John O...more
Ben Franklin, His Wit, and Wisdom From A-Z is an unconventional nonfiction book that alphabetizes facts about Franklin’s life and splices them with the wisdom of Poor Richard’s Almanac. O’Brien employs ink and condensed watercolors in a muted color palette reminiscent of days gone by to create highly textured full-bleed, double-page spreads that are as rich and diverse as the subject himself and serve as a backdrop to vignettes and frames of text. Moreover, the informality of the text’s arrangem...more
Written by Alan Schroeder and illustrated by John O'Brien (2011). Published by Holiday House. Illustrations are done in ink and condensed watercolors. This is a wonderful ABC nonfict book about the life and times of Ben Franklin. It gives a lot of history from the time period he lived in, his inventions, famil life, and quotes of what he said sprinkled throughout each page. It is easy to read and understand with a huge amount of details given abou his life. I am amazed to read about all the thin...more
What a clever way to learn about Ben Franklin! This alphabet book has all sorts of Franklin-related or Franklin-period-related words for each letter, but also includes some of his sayings, some amusing and some pointed. It surprised me to realize how many of our common sayings originated with this man. His passion for reading and creation of the first subscription library are mentioned as important parts of this incredible American. The ink and watercolor illustrations fill the pages with vivid...more
With an almanac design perfectly suited to the author of the popular Poor Richard’s Almanac, this book introduces children to one of America’s great early leaders. Rather than a straightforward chronological biography, Schroeder presents short entries arranged in alphabetical order on such topics as “newspaper”—an important interest of Franklin, and “turkey”—Franklin’s choice for the national bird. A perfect “browseable” book, each page is bursting with snippets of information, including many of...more
This is a very "browseable" book with lots of things to look at and small chunks of information to read and absorb. This is not a biography in chronological order; instead, the author highlights various significant contributions Franklin made. The illustrations complement the text very well and give readers a glimpse at colonial life. Many of Franklin's famous aphorisms are sprinkled throughout the pages as well.
Nice enough, but there are plenty of other clever books on the always fascinating Franklin.
One niggling note--the picture of Franklin carrying Deborah over the threshold in a wedding gown is cute, but incredibly inaccurate, since she was his common-law wife and they never had a wedding!
One niggling note--the picture of Franklin carrying Deborah over the threshold in a wedding gown is cute, but incredibly inaccurate, since she was his common-law wife and they never had a wedding!
A good book to add to a picture book library for older readers. It is a great resource for biographies because it shows another way to tell about the life of someone else. It also would allow kids to think about new ways to write an ABC book. Love the facts about Ben.
In format, this is an ABC book about Ben Franklin. Besides the paragraph devoted to the highlighted letter of the page, at least one of Ben's famous sayings is tucked somewhere in the illustration. Enjoyable for browsing, but lacks both an index and a list of resources used.
Inspired to read this book by a great group of third graders. This is a terrific picture book listing the many diverse accomplishments of Ben Franklin. I can't think of anyone with such a diverse resume! An incredible man.
Tons of information on one of our nation's most interesting citizens. The A-Z format was fun but I do wish the author had fleshed out some of the entries a little bit more.
A history of the life and work of Ben Franklin from A to Z with quotes of Franklin's on the side, and interesting facts from the work that he did. Quite interesting.
Great book for both kids and adults. There is so many facts about what Ben Franklin combined with wisdom and humor. What a great way to learn about history.
My students enjoyed discovering what an amazing man Ben Franklin was. From his inventions to his quotes, this book won't disappoint!
This unique biography in alphabet form was full of interested tidbits about Ben Franklin. The illustrations enhanced the text.
Lots of information. Great for browsing. Good mentor text for a NF abc book.
What a neat way to learn about an important leader in our history!
Perfect book to share with kids one of my most favorite people.
Fun, cleverly written book about Benjamin Franklin!
Fun introduction to Franklin's life and accomplishments.
Packed full of information on Ben. For each letter of the alphabet there is one or sometimes five short paragraphs on an variety topics including apprenticeship, type setting, and the Declaration of Independence.
His favorite sayings are peppered throughout the book.
This is a must for any nonfiction reader.
His favorite sayings are peppered throughout the book.
This is a must for any nonfiction reader.
Any book about the man that said, "All the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books" is a book for me. I have an affinity for high-interest alphabet books, and this is one of the best I've read. I love the Benjamin Franklin quotes that scatter the pages. It's also very informative, often giving three or more words per letter of the alphabet. Wondering how the word 'nude' fits in a book about Benjamin Franklin? Read this book to find out!
The life and work of Ben Franklin in an ABC book/ almanac format. Interesting quotes and tidbits about Franklin's life throughout. A great model for nonfiction writing and enjoyable to browse.
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ton of information about ben Franklin, use for research. 3-4 grade.
May 19, 2013
Adam Eslinger
marked it as to-read
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