Franklin and the Radio (Franklin and Friends)
Franklin And Friends Series
on Goodreads (18)
What’s inside...
When Franklin sees the amazing job his friend Fox did in fixing up a broken radio that Franklin had discarded, he has second thoughts and accepts the radio back from Fox. However, Franklin soon feels uncomfortable keeping the radio that Fox worked so hard on and eventually decides that it makes Fox happier than him, learning a valuable lesson about decision-making and regret. This story, part of the Franklin and Friends series, teaches young readers about kindness, integrity, and fairness, and also touches on environmental themes of reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Franklin feel when he first saw the radio, and how did his feelings change throughout the story?
What would you do if you found something new like Franklin did, and who would you ask for help to understand it better?
Why is it important to ask for help when we don't understand something, just like Franklin did?
How did Franklin’s friends help him with the radio? What does this tell us about friendship?
If you were to find a new gadget, what would it be and how would you learn to use it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressions and voice modulations to match the emotions that Franklin experiences in the story to help your child connect with the character.
Relate the story to your child's personal experiences with new objects or technology, facilitating a deeper personal connection to the story.
Encourage your child to explain how they would feel and react in a similar situation as Franklin, fostering empathy and self-awareness.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and asking for help, using examples from the book to illustrate these values.
Post-reading, engage in a fun activity where you and your child explore a 'new' gadget or object at home, applying the lessons learned from the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Franklin learns the importance of taking care of his belongings after unintentionally breaking his friend's radio.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to be careful with their own and others' possessions, fostering a sense of responsibility.
Example Lesson: Honesty
Explanation: Franklin chooses to be honest and admits to breaking the radio, despite fearing the repercussions.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of honesty, encouraging them to tell the truth even when it is difficult.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Franklin and his friends work together to fix the broken radio, demonstrating teamwork and critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Children learn to collaborate and find solutions to problems, skills that are applicable in school projects and other group activities.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: Despite the initial upset, Franklin's friends forgive him, showing the resilience and supportive nature of true friendship.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of forgiveness and maintaining friendships through challenging times.