Most people know Ben Franklin best as a politician and an inventor, but did you know that he was an avid reader and writer as well? Even though he left school when he was only ten years old, he had such a thirst for learning that he found ways to teach himself anything and everything through books.
It was not easy to find books 280 years ago, and so Ben, the perpetual problem solver, came up with the idea of a public library. He founded The Library Company of Philadelphia in 1731, which still exists today.
So, in honor of one of the most inspirational role models ever, I'd like to share of few of his many great biographies for children between the ages of 7 and 12:
The picture book, How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning, by Rosalyn Schanzer, is not only beautifully illustrated, but it presents the extensive details of his life in a fun and engaging manner. While some biographies might intimidate children with so many words, this particular book will inspire them to learn through an extraordinary combination of vibrant illustrations, humor, and great writing.
The chapter book, National Geographic History Chapters: Ben Franklin: Printer, Author, Inventor, Politician, by Pamela Rushby, is a perfect resource for a child who is writing her own biography. The information is presented in a clear, concise manner that can be absorbed a little bit at a time through short chapters. The illustrations and primary source documents included are a perfect complement to the information presented. In addition, the author provides a time line, a report guide on "How to Write an A+ Report," a glossary, an index, and a list of books and online resources at the end o f the book.
For children who are interested in further reading, and who like a graphic novel type style of a chapter book, you also might want to try Who Was Ben Franklin, by Dennis Brindell Fradin. Please note that, while some children might love this format, it's presented in a way that might confuse younger readers.
Here are some online resources you also might want to take a look at:
When we help children to make connections between books, technology, art, and the real world, we are helping them to become critical thinkers and problem solvers. And who can be a better role model for this type of thinking than Benjamin Franklin himself?
Whether or not you ever are lucky enough to make the trip to Philadelphia, I hope you enjoy some of these resources with your child. There's nothing like learning together as a family, and Ben Franklin can surely lead the way...
By the way, you can kick off Halloween, and find other nonfiction books, at Lori Calabrese's blog today.
Enjoy!
