What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?

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.

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 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 good book because it has good facts about Ben Franklin. This has a varity of experiments in it. But the greatest one of all is where Ben tries to see if lightning is electricty. Ben makes history in this book. This book is written by Mrs. Jean Fritz. I hope you enjoy this book.

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.