A Ben of All Trades: The Most Inventive Boyhood of Benjamin Franklin


Book Description

A rousing biography from Michael J. Rosen and Matt Tavares reveals how Benjamin Franklin’s boyhood shaped his amazingly multifaceted life. Young Benjamin Franklin wants to be a sailor, but his father won’t hear of it. The other trades he tries — candle maker, joiner, boot closer, turner — bore him through and through. Curious and inventive, Ben prefers to read, swim, fly his kite, and fly his kite while swimming. But each time he fails to find a profession, he takes some important bit of knowledge with him. That tendency is exactly what leads him to become the astonishingly versatile genius we remember today. Inspired by The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Michael J. Rosen’s wry tale captures Ben’s spirit in evocative yet playful language, while illustrations by Matt Tavares follow Ben from the workbench to the water in vivid detail. A love story to the value of variety, A Ben of All Trades sheds light on an unconventional path to greatness and humanizes a towering figure in American history.




Time For Kids: Benjamin Franklin


Book Description

Take a close-up look at Benjamin Franklin, a jack-of-all-trades who served his country well. Interviews with experts and lively writing deliver the accurate reporting you expect from TIME For Kids®. Historical reproductions and contemporary photographs capture the life of this ingenious man and show how he made life better and safer for Americans today. Read about more remarkable Americans:




Ben Franklin


Book Description

A biography of the young Philadelphia printer who grew up to become a world-renowned author, diplomat, scientist, and inventor, and one of the founding fathers of the United States.




Now & Ben


Book Description

Describes many of the inventions of Ben Franklin, some of which are still being used today.




Who Was Ben Franklin?


Book Description

Ben Franklin was the scientist who, with the help of a kite, discovered that lightning is electricity. He was also a statesman, an inventor, a printer, and an author-a man of such amazingly varied talents that some people claimed he had magical powers! Full of all the details kids will want to know, the true story of Benjamin Franklin is by turns sad and funny, but always honest and awe-inspiring.




The Story of Benjamin Franklin


Book Description

Discover the life of Benjamin Franklin—a story about curiosity, big ideas, and helping others for kids ages 6 to 9 Benjamin Franklin was a brilliant inventor, scientist, writer, and founding father. Before his ideas made him a legend, Benjamin was a young boy who enjoyed learning, helping others, and problem-solving. He was always finding clever ways to make the world a better place, from inventing the lightning rod to helping write the U.S. Constitution. Explore how Benjamin Franklin went from being a thoughtful kid growing up in Boston to an American hero who created the country's first public library, post office, hospital, and fire station in this biography for kids. Independent reading—This Benjamin Franklin biography is broken down into short chapters and simple language so kids 6 to 9 can read and learn on their own. Critical thinking—Kids will learn the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of Benjamin's life, find definitions of new words, discussion questions, and more. A lasting legacy—Learn about how Benjamin Franklin changed the world for future generations, including you. How will Benjamin's creative mind inspire you? Discover activists, artists, athletes, and more from across history with the rest of the Story Of series, including famous figures like: Alexander Hamilton, Eliza Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln.







The Printer Boy


Book Description




Ben Franklin and His First Kite


Book Description

In this engaging tale about the inventive young Ben Franklin, ten-year-old Ben tries to cross the pond using a kite. Full-color illustrations.




What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?


Book Description

A fun historic tale by Newbery Honor-winning author, Jean Fritz! No matter how busy he was, Ben Franklin always found time to try out new ideas: a remote-control lock (so he could lock his door without getting out of bed), a rocking chair with a fan over it (to keep flies away), and a windmill (to turn his roast meat on its spit). Aside from being a mad of ideas, he was an ambassador to England, a printer, an almanac maker, a politician, and even a vegetarian (for a time, anyway). "This biography is distinguished by its humanizing detail [and] amusing tone." - School Library Journal