A Picture Book of Benjamin Franklin

Picture Book Biography

by David A. Adler, Alexandra Wallner (Illustrator), John Wallner (Illustrator)

Surveys the life of Benjamin Franklin, highlighting his work as an inventor and statesman.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Picture Books, 2nd Grade, Childrens, Science

32 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Hannah Gies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it made me feel like I know Benjamin Franklin personally. I teared up at the end: "When Benjamin Franklin wrote his will, he called himself "Benjamin Franklin, printer." But people all over the world knew him as more than a printer."

[Catherine]

Benjamin Franklin is about the life of the inventor Benjamin Franklin. The story is historical because it talks about a person who actually existed and what was said about him was true. The images help imply this because the features are accurate to the time Franklin was alive. I liked it because it made historical facts enjoyable to read.

[Meagan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this thinking I might use it to teach my first graders about Ben Franklin this week. I didn't find anything I disliked about it, but in the end I didn't read it to them. Although it was the simplest and most level-appropriate book on him I could find, I didn't find much inspiring or thought provoking about it that I thought would enhance their learning much. I guess I rate this book just OK.

[Jeanie Cullip · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading, A Picture Book of Christopher Columbus, I was excited to see David Adler's A Picture Book of Benjamin Franklin. This biographical picture book is an excellent way for students of all ages to learn about Benjamin Franklin, I too learned a few things in reading this book. His life is such an inspiration, to read of all the things in which he did:

Printer
Husband to Deborah Read
Father to William, Francis, and Sarah
Author of Poor Richard's Almanack
Assisted in the setup of Philadelphia's first fire and police departments
Assisted in the setup of the first hospital in America
Assisted in the first lending library
Postmaster of all 13 American colonies
Invented the Franklin Stove, bifocal glasses, and the lightning rod
Proved Lightning = electricity
Discussed colonies with England advisor's
Assisted in writing the Declaration of Independence
Requested France to help America in its fight for independence
Assisted writing the peace treaty with England
Delegate to the Constitutional Convention
Wrote his Autobiography
Spoke against slavery
As I look at this list, I am very grateful for all the things he had done; which continues to be beneficial today (as I read my book from the public library by light with my bifocal glasses).

Just as other books in this series, it is a simple way to introduce the man who is on our 100 dollar bill. After reading, I would make sure to note; there are historians who question whether Benjamin Franklin actually flew a kite during a thunderstorm, but it is generally accepted that he did. This could lead into an important discussion of different perspectives of history. Which is why we should read many different primary and secondary resources to gain new insights when studying history.

[Israel Waltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre-Biography
Grade-Middle Grade
A Picture Book of Benjamin Franklin is a great read. it presents us a basic outline of Benjamin Franklin the printer, writer, Publisher, diplomat, and inventor. This Book does a great job of using illustrations to further the understanding of the reader. An example of this from the book is when they talked about the arm extender, for getting books. Instead of describing it in a few more words the author decided to have the illustrator work it into the picture. This book also talks about some of the little-known facts like he is one of seventeen or that he invented something when he was a child. Now this book is written in a way that does not show any fault in Franklin but I guess that this just follows what Benjamin Franklin once said: “Speak ill of no man, but speak all the good you know of everybody.”
I would recommend this book.

[Samantha Ocampo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is about Benjamin Franklin’s home and school life which is what led him to his career and all his inventions. While he is most known for the invention of electricity, this book covers the other multiple inventions that he created that we still use today. Franklin’s journey is simply told here from his family to his job and all things he’s done for us. It is a very good picture book for students to use to know and understand who Franklin was but there could be more personal information to make it seem more his thoughts.

[Grace Tarnow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Biography
Grade Range: 2-4
This book takes an important historical figure and makes him more "relatable". They talk about his childhood- growing up with family struggles and expectations and how this sometimes clashed with his ever growing curiosity with life. The book is rich with information, going quickly through his life. It could be easily incorporated with many social studies standards!

[Allison Tubaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: biography
Grades: k-3

Benjamin Franklin by David A.Adler is an informational biography about Benjamin Franklin who was an inventor and played a big role in history. In order to find out what he invented you should read this book. The illustrations are also very good and colorful and will keep children engaged. you can use this as an introduction to science or history.

[Alyssa Haverfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

It should be noted that Benjamin Franklin owned slaves and profited off of slave trade. This fact was left out of the book, even when addressing slavery directly. Franklin did eventually change his stance, but we mustn’t whitewash history.

Otherwise, great illustrations with so much detail and color. The pages were packed with facts that I found interesting even as an adult.

[Emma Linder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for social studies and to introduce the Revolutionary War. Benjamin Franklin would be a good individual to be an example of a growth mindset. He had grit and accomplished his dreams because of that.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction for kids to learn about Franklin. It did a good job covering many aspects of his life and his inventions.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and simple-to-read bio. Great for young readers.

[Lefty Jeans · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable audiobook for young people to learn about history.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this book. My son had to write a book review using words like, "Then" and such. Franklin had 16 sibling! He worked 20 years! He started the first police station, library and hospital! He invented bifocals! He got the kind of England to repeal the stamp tax! He was the oldest person at the Constitutional Congress! What an amazing life. I really want to read a biography of him now. And the book was good for my son, had cool drawings and simplified information. I would have switched one bit, it talks about him getting married before he sets up his own press, so there's some back and forth in time, not linear. I was really happy to read this book with my son.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the life of Benjamin Franklin. It begins when he was a young child working for his father's candle shop. he then moved on to printing and became very successful. He retired a rich man and spent the rest of his years inventing and trying to win America's freedom. I love this book because it just makes me so proud of our history. It's such an awesome example of the American dream. It's really interesting to learn of the things he created and did that I didn't even know about. I would definitely read this to my class to instill American pride in tem, and to keep the American way of life alive for our next generation.

[CH - Marvin Childress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author: David A. Adler; Illustrated: John & Alexandra Wallner; Grades: 2(readers)-4

This biography is the condensed version of the complete life of Benjamin Franklin...birth to death. It covers who he was as a child, his personality, and his genius.

I have to say, this book is very informative for a picture book. The text is easy and it reads well. I think any child would be able to gain a lot of good information from this book. I would use this for biographical reports.

[Amar #3]

David A. Adler wrote this kid friendly biography for a reason - to convince people that one person can make a difference. Benjamin Franklin was a printer, librarian, soldier, scientist, inventor, humanitarian, musician, sailor, a revolutionary, and in my opinion, a great american. Thank you, David A. Adler for showing everybody Benjamin Franklin made a HUGE dent in our everyday lives.

This is one of my favorite books, and great americans. Now tell me, will it be yours as well?

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not feel like this book was a good biography. It left out important details and at one point it skipped around. It did; however, list some of the key points of his life.

Interest Level
Grades 3 - 5
Reading Level
Grade level Equivalent: 3.1
Lexile® Measure: AD730L
DRA: 24
Guided Reading: M

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book that discusses the highlights of Ben Franklin. This would be a good resource to have in the classroom for students to use. I love how organized the book is and that it discusses events in the order they took place. I also find the back summary page to be very helpful for the reader.

[Latifah Williams]

This book can be used when talking about inventors/ scientist. The book can also be used to when doing lessons on electricity and/or lightening. It could be used in a 2-5 grade setting. The book tell the biography of Benjamin Franklin on a way that is relatable to students.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to read for K-2 students.
This book would be a great opener for a lesson on electricity or inventors/ scientists.
This book is also great for language arts because it reflects one of the three purposes of writing (Persuade Inform Entertain)

[Rocheal Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a good book for the investigation of electricity. Also a good book to introduce and study scientists. This book could be used as a model of how to study a scientist so students could partner up and explore one of their own.

[Annisaa S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

this guy is so cold

[Andrew Jameson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book Benjamin Franklin is a biogrify. It tells about all most everything in Benjimin Franklins life.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very informative book. The illustrations were not too exciting, but it was overall a good book. I even learned facts about him I never knew.

[Karley]

This would be a great read aloud for the younger elementary grades. I would use this book when exploring scientist. We could even further integrate literacy through writing about Benjamin Franklin.

[Rebecca Snodgrass · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a bit too easy for my fifth grade unit, but it would be good to keep in your library during the unit. The information in this book is good, but I've read better.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was nice but we found a few others that gave the same info in a more engaging way. If I didn't read the others I'd probably 5 star it.

[Rose Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a nice informational book for young children. It would be a good book for them to use as a report on him.

[Mandy Robek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great example to talk about contributions people people make, that are retold in biographies.