HOW BEN FRANKLIN STOLE THE LIGHTNING Rosalyn Schanzer, illustrated by Ingrid Godon (HarperCollins)Although the life of Ben Franklin offers enough fodder for several biographies, the author chose to focus on his scientific inquiry to create a picture book children are sure to get a charge out of. Schanzer's conversational tone coupled with a sense of suspense as to exactly what invention allowed Franklin to steal lightning from the sky make this story a page-turner. Franklin is depicted as a visionary, initiating the first fire department, first lending library, being the inventor of bifocals, the second hand on the clock, odometers…the list goes on and on and on, the book clearly making the point that there is no American today that is not touched daily in one way or another by this man's initiative. The cartoonish illustrations show Franklin in all sizes and in all sorts of poses, versatile and jolly, fitting to the man and lots of fun for the lucky reader. From the endpapers featuring Franklin's original drawings for possible experiments to the detailed end notes, the author's enthusiasm for her subject is clear, and contagious. This book offers young children a truly great American hero, and an example of someone who made the most of time by loving to learn and sharing what he learned with all who would benefit. And what exactly did he invent that "stole lightning" and saved countless lives (including his own family's)? Read it and see! A little chatty-chat about electrical safety wouldn't be out of order, either. (6 and up)
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