Franklin and the TV Show

Franklin desperately wants to appear on a children's TV show that's coming to town to film. He practices his special talent and prepares for his potential moment in the spotlight. His friends and family support his television aspirations while helping him navigate the ups and downs of the audition process. The story follows Franklin as he works to achieve his goal while managing expectations and nerves. The story addresses universal childhood experiences of pursuing dreams and handling both success and disappointment. Through Franklin's journey, young readers learn about self-expression, perseverance, and the value of support from loved ones.

Parents appreciate how this Franklin story helps children understand limits on TV viewing and screen time in an accessible way. Reviewers on Goodreads note the book demonstrates natural consequences rather than lecturing about TV habits. Readers like: - Realistic portrayal of a child's attachment to TV shows - Franklin learns the lesson himself through experience - Clear message without being preachy - Familiar situations kids can relate to Readers dislike: - Some find it dated in the age of streaming/mobile devices - A few say the message is too obvious for older kids Ratings: Goodreads: 3.96/5 (56 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (15 ratings) One parent reviewer noted: "This helped my 5-year-old understand why we have TV rules at home. She connected with Franklin's experience." The book is harder to find than other Franklin titles, with fewer total reviews online compared to other books in the series.

Arthur's TV Trouble by Marc Brown Arthur learns about TV commercials and managing expectations, mirroring Franklin's experiences with screen time and life lessons.

Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel Two amphibian friends navigate everyday situations and friendship challenges through five connected stories.

Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik A young bear encounters daily adventures with family and friends in this gentle series of interconnected tales.

George and Martha by James Marshall Two hippo friends experience ups and downs in their friendship through relatable situations and misunderstandings.

Mouse TV by Matt Novak A family of mice discovers the impact of television on their daily lives and relationships with each other.

🦊 Author Paulette Bourgeois was inspired to create Franklin after watching an episode of M*A*S*H where a character couldn't zip up his sleeping bag, leading to Franklin's iconic fear of crawling into his shell. 🎨 The Franklin book series has sold over 65 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 38 languages. 📺 The Franklin television series, based on the books, ran for six seasons and became one of Canada's most successful children's TV exports. 🐢 Though Franklin is a turtle who can walk upright, go to school, and wear clothes, the books maintain scientific accuracy in some ways - he has the correct number of claws and shell segments for a turtle. ✍️ Before becoming a children's author, Paulette Bourgeois worked as a psychiatric occupational therapist and later as a journalist, which influenced her approach to writing stories that help children deal with everyday fears and challenges.