Franklin Plays Hockey

Franklin TV Storybooks #14

by Sharon Jennings (Adapted By), Mark Koren (Illustrator), John Lei (Illustrator)

Franklin discovers there's more than one way to be a winner.

Franklin invites neophyte player Skunk to join his side in a neighborhood hockey game, but he soon regrets it. Skunk can't skate fast, or pass the puck, or shoot on net. Because of Skunk, Franklin's team loses the game--an unacceptable result for Franklin, who is used to winning. He is about to let the dejected Skunk walk away from the team when he recalls that it was only through practice that he became a good player himself. The next day, Franklin gives Skunk another chance and learns that there is more than one way to feel like a winner.

Genres: Sports, Childrens, Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

Sharon Jennings is a children's book author. She has published over 70 books in 27 years. She teaches writing at Ryerson University. She was President of The Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP) for three terms.

Reviews

[Rod Brown]

Franklin loves playing on his hockey team because they always win. But two new players reverse the normal course of events, and sore loser Franklin finds himself pondering the merits of teamwork.

I'm not a big fan of Franklin, but this little tale actually manages to show Franklin exploring his feelings and reacting with some nuance to a common playground situation.

Side note: We received this book for free as an apology from Scholastic in a classroom book order when our desired book was running late. I have no record of reading it to my daughter, so I'm assuming my wife did.


FOR REFERENCE:

Based on the TV episode Franklin Plays Hockey (Season 4, Episode 5), written by Brian Lasenby. Based on the Franklin books by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark.

[Sarah]

Ok so as much as I don't like Franklin books and as much as I especially don't like these TV Franklin books, this was a really good book. We talked about hockey and the items you need to play hockey and then the book was about practicing and that's how you get better. Really good.

[Carly Andersen]

Am I…crying???

[madziar]

Franklin i Miś są genialnymi graczami w hokeja. Gdy do drużyny dołączył Skunks, który nie za dobrze sobie radzi na lodzie, Franklin początkowo jest na niego zły, ale po namyśle przekonuje Misia, że oni też kiedyś zaczynali ze starszymi - więc przyszła pora, by sami stali się nauczycielami.

[Ryan Treaster]

This is a good book which talks about the idea of teamwork and working together. Franklin decides to let a new player on the team and ends up losing their hockey game. Although Franklin was unhappy, he stuck with Skunk and realized he had turned into a good player and helped the team.

Reading Level- Early
Curricular Uses- Independent or read aloud
Social Issues- Talks about the idea of teamwork. Teamwork is important as a child and as an adult. Working together can allow much more to be accomplished in life.

[Shannon]

This one is about sportsmanship, namely being patient with a new player and remembering that you too were once the inexperienced rookie. Skunk joins Franklin and his friends for a "pick up" came of hockey on the local pond. Skunk isn't an experienced player and her blunders cost Franklin and Bear the game. Later Franklin reflects on how Jack Rabbit and the other "big kids" took him and Bear "under their wing" and taught them to play. He decides to do the same for Skunk, realizing that one can't improve without practice. He begins to give back.

[Jessica Thorley]

The Franklin series are enjoyable kids books. I chose to read Franklin Plays Hockey and I liked it. The book is about Franklin who is the start player on his hockey team, and has a hard time playing with the beginning players who aren't as good as he is. Franklin has to take time to realize that he was not always good at hockey and practice makes you better. Franklin learns a great lesson in the book. This book is more for younger kids, but it is also accpetable for older readers.

[Brandin]

Genre: Picture book/fiction

Topic/Theme: Teamwork, competition, friendship, loyalty, responsibility, integrity

Grade Level: K-3

Classroom Use: Read aloud, independent reading

Comments: Great read aloud to cover teamwork and the decisions that come along with it.

[Julie Misner]

Great message about teamwork and sportsmanship!