In the Franklin Classic Storybook that started it all, poor little Franklin has one of the most common childhood afflictions – he is afraid of the dark. This is particularly distressing for Franklin as he happens to be a turtle, and the darkness he fears is, of course, inside his own shell. Bravely, with shell in tow, he sets forth to seek help and in the course of his travels discovers a bird who is afraid of heights, a polar bear who is afraid of the cold, and even a hydrophobic duck. In the end, Franklin discovers that everybody is afraid of something, even his own mother, and his response to what he has learned is guaranteed to draw a smile.
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Dancing Turtle: A Folktale from Brazil
After being caught by a hunter, a clever turtle uses her wits and her talent playing the flute to trick the hunter’s children into helping her escape.
Hajime in the North Woods
Baby Hajime spends a night talking and laughing with the animals in the North Woods but chooses to return to his parents in the morning.
The Rabbit and the Dragon King
Thanks to a quick-witted rabbit and a seaworthy turtle, an ill dragon king regains his desire to live. This is one of the most popular folktales in Korea.
The Turtle and the Two Ducks: Animal Fables Retold from La Fontaine
The fables of La Fontaine are one of the great treasures of French literature. Based on Aesop’s legendary tales, La Fontaine’s stories capture the charm, the humor, and the wisdom of the seventeenth century. This book offers prose adaptations of the fables of La Fontaine’s most beloved poems.
Remembering Crystal
Crystal had lived in the garden for many years and she was growing old–Zelda was just starting out in life and though she was young, she and Crystal were best friends, but one day Crystal was not in the garden, she had died; in this gentle, beautifully illustrated story, children learn, with Zelda, that true friendship is a gift that doesn’t die.
Anansi’s Party Time
Anansi is throwing a party. He invites Turtle, but plays so many tricks on him that Turtle can’t have any fun. So turtle decides to get even and throws a part of his own.
The Race of the Century
Tom Tortoise challenges Flash Harry Hare, But while Flash Harry gets distracted signing autographs for his adoring fans, stopping for photo ops, and snacking, Tom Tortoise keeps going, slowly and steadily, to win the race.