Ben had imagination. He imagined that if he could create some fish fins to fit his eleven-year old body, he'd be able to swim just like his aquatic friends. So he sketched. He sawed. He sanded, until his wooden fins fit his hands, then his feet. He strapped on his invention and jumped in the river for a swim! Did it work? I hope you'll read this delightful picture-book biography to find out.
As a writer, I truly enjoyed seeing how the book's author, Barb Rosenstock, located such a kid-friendly fact within the volumes contained in the life of this famous man of Colonial-American history. And I loved how, in turn, she spun that event into a lively story that kids can relate to--wishing to swim like a fish. Rosenstock's clever use of alliteration throughout the entire book is a bonus that makes for an enjoyable read-aloud.
The illustrator, S.D. Schindler, does a fabulous job weaving historical facts into the book. (Love those shoes and clothes!) And the color palette gives the book a historical feel. My favorite illustration? Seeing Ben, submerged up to his nose, with his swim-fins on and three fish fleeing from him with bug-eyed wonder!
The book's layout, wonderfully designed (and published) by Calkin's Creek, is gorgeous! The text often gives a sense of water moving. And I think it's quite clever how the big, blue font hints of Ben's later-learned skill of printing.
BEN FRANKLIN'S BIG SPLASH; THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF HIS FIRST INVENTION is one picture-book biography that I'm sure kids in every elementary classroom will enjoy.
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As a writer, I truly enjoyed seeing how the book's author, Barb Rosenstock, located such a kid-friendly fact within the volumes contained in the life of this famous man of Colonial-American history. And I loved how, in turn, she spun that event into a lively story that kids can relate to--wishing to swim like a fish. Rosenstock's clever use of alliteration throughout the entire book is a bonus that makes for an enjoyable read-aloud.
The illustrator, S.D. Schindler, does a fabulous job weaving historical facts into the book. (Love those shoes and clothes!) And the color palette gives the book a historical feel. My favorite illustration? Seeing Ben, submerged up to his nose, with his swim-fins on and three fish fleeing from him with bug-eyed wonder!
The book's layout, wonderfully designed (and published) by Calkin's Creek, is gorgeous! The text often gives a sense of water moving. And I think it's quite clever how the big, blue font hints of Ben's later-learned skill of printing.
BEN FRANKLIN'S BIG SPLASH; THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF HIS FIRST INVENTION is one picture-book biography that I'm sure kids in every elementary classroom will enjoy.
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