Customer Reviews

What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? By Jean Fritz. Illustrated by Margot Tomes. Coward- McCann, Inc., 1976. 47 pages.

Did you know that Ben Franklin had a hunch that a kite could act as a sail if one held it while swimming and another that ants could communicate with each other? But, as Newbery Honor Award winner and highly regarded biographer Jean Fritz points out, "A Big Idea . . . meant little to Ben Franklin unless he could put it to everyday use." Capitalizing on reader's prior knowledge while wetting young appetites with a hint of what's to come, Fritz presents a non-fictionalized Franklin. How "lucky" it was that Franklin's street had a name, states Fritz, because "people like to know where and when famous men are born." Fritz's signature humor and anecdotal style abound, respecting her audience's intelligence. She writes, "England was treating America as if it were a country of apprentices." Her humor-encrusted comparisons illuminate abstract concepts, making this book a leading contender for a read aloud to third and fourth graders or for the fifth or sixth grader who craves a challenging but accessible read. Independent young minds must distinguish truths "sacred and undeniable" by Jefferson's pen from "self evident" ones with Franklin's correction. Tomes' illustrations help the reader visualize technical wording. Frustrating, would be Franklin's flexible, fishy swimming positions without Tomes' guidance. As a special treat, Franklin's personal handwriting acts as explanatory captions adjacent to pictures of his inventions. As usual, Fritz provides a child-centered notes page that includes supplementary information and points out accounts that disagree as she presents this delightful hero of American Independence.

I was so impressed with the descriptive wording of this book. I'm not a normal biography reader, but this worked perfectly for my 3rd graders. It held there interest, made them laugh, and actually taught them something! A great read for all ages.

This is a fun book that shopuld help your youngster develop an interest in American History. It is easy to read an has great illustratiions. You will not be disappointed with this purchase.

As a child I loved this book and I recently picked it up for nostalgia's sake. While I still like the illustrations and the story itself, I can't help but notice the frequency of poor grammar and clunky sentence structure. Where were the editors and proofreaders? How did this book make it to shelves without corrections? Anyway, it's still enjoyable... if a bit sloppy.

My 7 year old and I LOVED this book, and have a newfound respect for this Founding Father. We are eager to read more and learn more about Ben Franklin, and this book was a splendid starting point. Highly recommended! We are also looking forward to reading more of this authors titles.

What an excellent book for introducing one American Patriot to children! I enjoyed reading this book with my children. Laughs were enjoyed by all. There are several books like this one by Jean Fritz if you have a child with varying interests in historical figures. They are all well written.

At less than fifty pages, a basic biography of this great man that's suitable for intermediate grade students. The basic information is here, his early life, his many interests and contributions, and more than a little focus on his work with electricity. Pretty basic, pretty accurate, gives some sense of Franklin and his times, but is not well suited as an attention-grabber. A youngster having to do a report on a famous American, would do well to start here. It's accurate and readable.

Jean Fritz states that Ben Franklin possessed "a naturally happy disposition and made friends easily."

Well, that's the same way I'd describe Jean Fritz's wonderful and humorous What's The Big Idea, Ben Franklin? Once again, this skilled author presents some of the stories of American history in a manner that stimulates the hunger for more learning in young readers.

This book is a classic.

I thought Whats the Big Idea Ben Franklin , by Jean Fritz was a preaty well written book. I'll give it four stars out of five. His magnificent contributions to human life wanted me to keep turn the page more and more. I was esspecially impressed with his discoverence of proved electrical theories. If electric was never proved by theory, life today would not be the same. I thought this was a preaty good book and if some one is interested in this book about famous history they shoule definatly go to their local library and check this book out.

Ben Frinklin was very smart,brave,and curious. He thought of inventions and did many experiments. He was brave because he did dangerous experiments. He was curious about different inventions, that is why he did all his experiments.