Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin [Hardcover]

Gene Barretta (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

The inventions and inspiration of Benjamin Franklin and how they’ve stood the test of time

 

What would you do if you lived in a community without a library, hospital, post office, or fire department? If you were Benjamin Franklin, you’d set up these organizations yourself. Franklin also designed the lightning rod, suggested the idea of daylight savings time, and invented bifocals—all inspired by his common sense and intelligence. In this informative book, Gene Barretta brings Benjamin Franklin’s genius to life, deepening our appreciation for one of the most influential figures in American history.

Now & Ben is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5–A clever, concise introduction to the contributions of this colorful colonial figure. The first spread depicts Franklin standing proudly by his family home with his wife and children smiling from within. His various occupations–writer, printer, diplomat, musician, humorist, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humanitarian–are written on the cobblestones beneath him. Next is a spread of a busy city street today, which challenges readers to guess which modern conveniences are owed to the subjects creativity. Subsequent spreads take a closer look at each invention from political cartoons, bifocals, electricity, lightning rod, and Franklin stove to daylight saving time and more. Each spread features a Now… description of a modern concept or convenience facing an early Ben… idea. Now…every automobile has an odometer to measure the distance it travels. Ben…invented the odometer when he was postmaster general so he could measure his postal routes. The fanciful final spread depicts a futuristic scene with flying-saucer vehicles and robot servers, which encourages youngsters to imagine how todays inventions will evolve in time. Engaging and humorous watercolor cartoons depict just how Franklins inventions were conceived and developed. The yellow mottled endpapers are filled with sketches of the inventions featured within. Both Alikis The Many Lives of Benjamin Franklin (S & S, 1988) and Rosalyn Schanzers How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning (HarperCollins, 2003) offer more background and biographical information, though this lively offering is sure to inspire readers to learn more about its fascinating subject.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

An authorial debut for illustrator Barretta, Now & Ben aims at the youngest readers, limiting its purview to Franklin as a slightly tubby, jolly inventor and innovator. Each left-hand page describes and illustrates one of Franklin's contributions as we know it ("Now . . . our newspapers are filled with illustrations"); the opposite page goes back in time to reveal the Franklin connection ("Ben . . . was the first to print a political cartoon in America"). Most young children won't grasp the play on the phrase now and then but will zero in instead on the well-chosen examples, which include bifocals and lightning rods as well as lesser-known notions (a rocking chair that churned butter!), all appealingly rendered in Barretta's relaxed, cartoonlike watercolors. This will be a punchy read-aloud to lighten up American history units, though teachers wanting more details will need to look elsewhere as the book's biographical context is scattershot and no end matter is provided. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (March 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805079173
• ISBN-13: 978-0805079173
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,066,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gene Barretta is an award-winning author and illustrator of several children's books. His awards include The 2007 Carolyn W. Field Award and the 2009-2010 Tennessee Volunteer Book Award.
Gene began his career as an illustrator for other authors before releasing his first manuscript in 2006, "Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin."
Before he entered the publishing world, Gene completed several animated films for Sesame Street and illustrated for the show Between The Lions.
More recently, he has designed characters for The Jim Henson Company.
He currently resides outside of Philadelphia, PA with his wife, Leslie and son, Benjamin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Big Ben, May 24, 2006

By 

Anne B. Levy "bookbuds.net" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin (Hardcover)

Ben Franklin's probably the #1 subject of picture book biographies that cross my desk. He's picturesque -- both visually and as a bio subject. This is the first book I've chosen to review, however, because of its clever format and quirky execution.

On one side is "Now" -- the modern amenities we take for granted, such as odometers, second hands, bifocals, lightening rods and even public libraries. The "Ben" side shows Franklin puttering, tinkering, and hunkering down over his inventions, which include all of the above, plus charting the Gulf Stream, organizing the Post Office, and all that fun with lightening and kites and stuff.

Such a clever fellow, that Ben!

And that's not even getting into his statesmanship and political thinking, which the author treats lightly to focus on the man's inventive genius.

The "Now" side of the page is perky and vibrant in bright blues, while Franklin's 18th century half is awash in faded siennas, the color of aging documents, except for Ben in his blue coat, creating a visual link between our era and his.

I know from the brief time I lived in a Philly suburb how omnipresent are the many reminders of the man's influence, from Indepedence Hall to the Franklin Museum. The city's infused with awe for the man who was arguably our nuttiest Founding Father. But aren't the oddballs the ones you most want to know?

Like Barretta, a Philly resident, you won't be able to resist getting better acquainted.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now & Ben, January 7, 2007

By 

L. Mielcarek - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin (Hardcover)

This book has great illustrations. The students I teach spent time looking through all of the details. The stories are accurate and include a fun sense of humor. Students from grade 4-6 also enjoyed the book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My children loved it!!!, March 24, 2006

By 

Diane Marie Kelly - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin (Hardcover)

My children (ages 6 - 10) loved the story of Ben Franklin. They enjoyed learning of Ben's inventions and it was fun to talk about how they have evolved over time. The children especially loved the last scene depicting how things will evolve as they grow older. The illustrations and colors on every page were great for the imagination and provided so much insight to every part of the story. Great Job. A+