February 2008 Book Club Selection
Print/braille edition, $16.95
Ages 4-8
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.
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"). The juxtaposition of present and past effectively reinforces the continued relevance of Franklin's inventions and underscores the extraordinary range and depth of his ingenuity and practicality, deepening our appreciation for one of the most influential and colorful figures in American history.
Aimed at younger readers, this lively offering is sure to inspire them to learn more about its fascinating subject.
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