Hurry Up Franklin (Franklin Series)

Franklin the Turtle

by Paulette Bourgeois, Brenda Clark (Illustrator)

Franklin is very slow and get distracted on his way to Bear's birthday party.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, 20th Century, Canada, Teaching

28 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

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

[Greta is Erikasbuddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is old school Franklin and I super loved!! I love it when Franklin's turtle parents walk on all fours and carry Franklin on their backs. I also love how small Franklin is drawn in comparison to the other animals. And how Franklin's animal friends walk around on all fours and look less cartoony. This book sure did make me squee just with the artwork alone. The story is great too!

Franklin has to get to Bear's house in a hurry. He can't be late! But he's a little turtle and little turtle's don't move very fast.

Along the way a couple of Franklin's friends want to play with him. He tells them he needs to go to Bear's house but they tell them there is plenty of time. Easy for them to say... they don't have little turtle legs!!

A really cute story that will make you go squee! I loved every page :)

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I love the Franklin stories and the way they teach important lessons, I’m not sure exactly what the final message is for this story. Franklin dawdles, but he’s exploring interesting and fun things so I wouldn’t want to dampen that kind of spirit in a kiddo. When it’s time to get to a very important date at Bear’s house, he gets stopped by friends to play. He enjoys his time with each one (although he cuts his time with Fox short in order to race to Bear’s house), which also doesn’t seem like such a bad thing either. Then he meets Snail who physically can’t go any faster to get to Bear’s house and makes him cry—understandably so, since he is doing his best within his abilities. And that doesn’t feel like a great message—you need to be on time no matter what your abilities or disabilities are. And then, Franklin takes time to stop and pick berries for Bear, which is thoughtful and later appreciated by Bear. All this rushing and worry and crying, and Franklin doesn’t end up missing the surprise party. So what is this story saying exactly? Don’t make time to stop and play with friends? Do be upset if your disability makes it harder for you to be on time? Don’t stop to collect fun gifts for your friends? Except that it all works out in the end so maybe do do all those things? But stress about being on time the whole while? I don’t know. It’s confusing to me.

[Shannon]

This one is for all the dreamers who just can't get from one place to another without wandering around a little bit. My daughter is a little bit like Franklin (whereas I am always trying to hurry everything along...something I don't really love about myself but it was drilled into me from birth!). The art is great and I like the pacing and quiet reality of the Franklin books.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was Bear's special day and Franklin had to hurry to not be late. So many things distracted Franklin who was slow anyway. Then he stopped to help Snail. Now he really had to hurry! Lovely illustrations.

[J.B. Mathias · Rating 3 out of 5]

The phenomenal artwork is what really makes these books. The lessons are kind of simple and cliche the characters are kind of generic and interchangeable with any other kids story...but the pictures are absolutely beautiful.

[Re • · Rating 4 out of 5]

as per usual the illustration are BEAUTIFUL! i loved this story it was so adorable, i really loved the part with snail i was getting all watery eyed. highly recommend!

[Allie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book even though I just read it for a school projects that I'm doing for psychology.

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 5 out of 5]

عنوان ترجمه فارسی:
عجله کن فرانکلین

[Alyssa Haverfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are so beautiful! This was an adorable story about showing up for friends, focus and drive.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

love these books

[Nilsa]

آلی بود

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hurry Up, Franklin (Classic Franklin Stories Book 2) by Paulette Bourgeois -- This is on kindle unlimited. The Franklin characters with Pokey Little Puppy Vibes! Happy Reading!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 5 year old daughter really enjoys this one out of all of our Franklin books. We have read this many times this year!

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read to my 2 year old.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid Franklin story.

[Michelle Li]

no

[توبة لي · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literally me being late to everything all the time.
The illustrations are stunning. This is so sweet and nostalgic.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn’t my favorite Franklin story, but it is a good one. The build up to the ending is well done.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really remember much about the characters in Franklin, so this shows readers one of Franklin's flaws and how he combats it.

[Kristian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for children

[Cami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Metele que son pasteles.
Me gustó que al final ayudó al caracol y juntos pudieron llegar.

[Tegan (Slant Postscripts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Margo Martin]

In the book Hurry Up Franklin, Franklin goes off to Bear’s house for his special day although has trouble getting there in a timely manner. Franklin stops on a number of occasions, playing with Rabbit, Otter, and Fox. However, Franklin sees Snail on his way to Bear’s house, and Snail is crying. Snail is fearful he will not make it to Bear’s house on time, so Franklin makes it his mission to hurry, and get him there. Franklin hurries the whole way, and gets himself and Snail there in time. This story’s themes are bravery and friendship and are portrayed by Franklin when he makes it his goal to help out Snail, and get him to the party on time.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoyed watching this show when I was younger, but I don't recall reading many of the books. One thing that I think makes this book great for younger readers is that it tends to repeat itself on several pages, just switching the characters out. This makes it easier for them to get through as they are reading because they already know many of the words from the previous pages. The illustrations are also extremely vibrant and colorful, making kids get into the story more because the pictures are so realistic.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't actually own a copy of this book, but I saw a reading of it online.

This is one of the first Franklin books, and it's surprising because of how different the illustrations were from the ones in the later books. Franklin is so tiny compared to the other characters (especially Bear) and his parents walk on all fours. Nevertheless, the illustrations are lovely - and colorful. The story is also very good.

[Slayermel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Franklin is on his way to Bear's house because it's Bear's special day, and it's really important he get there on time. However he keeps getting distracted on his way there. His friends all stop and want to play with him, telling him they have time before they have to be at Bear's house, but they forget how slow Franklin is.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Franklin books should be included in any Kindergarten-1st grade classroom, and while they may not have large accompanying morals, the books deal with problems that young children often deal with. From problems at school to issues with friends and family, these books are amazing and students have gravitated to them for a long time.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE the Franklin series.

[Child960801 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edited 2025: This is still one of the early books, and you can tell in the character look for some of Franklin's friends.

Franklin, who is always slow, has to hurry to his friend Bear's house.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite childhood memories! My First grade teacher gave me a copy of this book for an improvement in printing(and I still have it nearly 20 years later!)