Franklin's Bicycle Helmet

by Paulette Bourgeois, Brenda Clark (Illustrator), Sean Jeffrey (Illustrator)

Franklin can hardly wait to show off his new bicycle helmet at the Bike Safety Rally until he overhears Fox and Beaver making fun of it, but Rabbit offers Franklin some words of encouragement.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2000

About the author

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bourgeois graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational therapy from the University of Western Ontario in 1974. She was a psychiatric occupational therapist for three years before deciding to focus on her writing. She studied journalism at Carlton University then worked as a reporter for the Ottawa Citizen and CBC Television. She became a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C. contributing pieces to Chatelaine, Canadian Living, Reader's Digest and Maclean's. She returned to Toronto in 1983.

In 2003, she became a Member of the Order of Canada and in 2007, she received an Honourary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, the University of Western Ontario.

Reviews

[melhara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This children's picture book, which has also been adapted as the second half of Season 2, Episode 7 of Franklin, follows Franklin as he picks out a new bicycle helmet with a flashing red light on top. He then proceeds to change his mind about wearing it out of fear that his friends will make fun of him.

This book offered good lessons on bicycle safety (wearing a helmet that fits correctly), sticking up for your friends, and doing what makes you happy instead of succumbing to peer pressure.

*** #14 of my 2022 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - Read a book whose movie or TV adaptation you’ve seen (but haven’t read the book). ***

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Part of a personal challenge to read all of my boyfriend's and his sister's childhood books before we donate and give them away.

[Dev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little story perfect for ages 3-6!

[Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Franklin succumbs to peer pressure, and barely (hah) thanks the selfless friend who tries to help him in his manufactured moment of need.

In the story, peer pressure is presented as a negative force. At times, society's judgement is useful as a way to correct behavior gently. Sporting the helmet that even Franklin's mother attempted to warn him away from was his first mistake, because that really looks like a nonsense helmet. Particularly on a turtle.

[Kailey Gehres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Fiction

Age group: 3-7 (Preschool-2nd grade)

Unique features: This book is a great lesson to kids about wearing their helmet when riding a bike. Also, I really like the illustrations throughout this book!

[Brenda Cregor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Franklin is a sweet character who is the proxy for the children who read of his life adventures in this series, so they will know they are not alone...no matter what.

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book in the Franklin the Turtle series. Fun and cute.

[Răzvan Ursuleanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mi-a plăcut mult ideea unei cărți în trei viteze.

Viteza cea mai mare e cea a băiatului meu, care gonește pe bicicletă atât de repede, încât nu are rost să încerc să-l prind, aștept pur și simplu să se întoarcă la un anumit moment dat.

Viteza medie este cea a lui Franklin care, deși e o broască țestoasă, se deplasează totuși cu oarece rapiditate pe bicicleta sa.

Iar viteza cea mai mică este a mea, pentru că eu prefer să stau absolut nemișcat și să citesc despre concursurile de alergare ale altora, îmi este foarte comod să fac sport în acest fel.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good lessons in safe biking and in ignoring teasing and mean comments from other kids.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bear is too good of a friend for Franklin.

[Špela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Všeč mi je nostalgičen in pomirjujoč občutek, ki ga ustvari zgodba. Ilustracije Frančka, njegovih staršev itd. so mi top.

Zagotovo zgodba, ki se jo lahko prebere znova in znova.

[Madkropotkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son's AR material. He really liked Franklin.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max liked this book, and I liked that it gave us a chance to talk about feeling embarrassed and sticking up for our friends.

[Leiera Monae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's Reading Adventures Book Club, Summer 2014

*D.E.A.R. Time -- Read with 7 year olds*

06.05.2014

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't love it. Don't think the kids actually loved it but it was alright.

[Cws]

JEAR2-Bou