Franklin Plays The Game

Franklin the Turtle

by Paulette Bourgeois, Brenda Clark (Illustrations)

Franklin learns the rewards of teamwork and sportsmanship.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Sports, Fiction, Animals, Canada, School

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bourgeois graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational therapy from the University of Western Ontario in 1974. She was a psychiatric occupational therapist for three years before deciding to focus on her writing. She studied journalism at Carlton University then worked as a reporter for the Ottawa Citizen and CBC Television. She became a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C. contributing pieces to Chatelaine, Canadian Living, Reader's Digest and Maclean's. She returned to Toronto in 1983.

In 2003, she became a Member of the Order of Canada and in 2007, she received an Honourary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, the University of Western Ontario.

Reviews

[Bonnie]

HERE YOU GO ELIZABETH 😂

In this sweeping saga, Franklin once again overcomes his insecurities--this time while partaking in the spirited sport of soccer. Reaching new depths of maturity, the little turtle learns that everyone deserves a place on the team and that the ultimate goal is not to win, but to have a celebratory experience in true camaraderie and sportsmanship.

[Kristin]

In "Franklin Plays the Game", Franklin’s soccer team is stuck in a losing streak. Unfortunately, it is having a negative effect on the players self esteem. However, with some luck and cooperation, they learn the true meaning of teamwork. They first have to look at their weakness before they can see their potential and strength. As we grow, we begin to realize that everyone has different strengths and weakness. Considering how often we have to work together, it is important to realize that everyone can contribute in different ways and how to play on each other's strengths and passions. This book shows the values of teamwork and finding the positive in a negative experience. It is important to teach children the benefits of working together and how to do it. There are many times in life where circumstances will not go your way and it essential to know how to respond in an appropriate matter and how you can make choices to grow.

[Adrienne]

Good story about teamwork and how everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

[Tatiana]

A good selection for the theme of teamwork or sharing. Also useful when teaching the strategy problem/solution.

[Joanna]

I think my favorite thing about this Franklin story is that it doesn’t teach the lesson of “if you can’t do it, just keep practicing and eventually that will magically work” because sometimes we just can’t! Everyone has their various limitations and while dedication and patience and practice do sometimes lead to the results we want, sometimes we are just built different (mentally, physically, etc.). So instead, Franklin doesn’t practice kicking the ball until he magically becomes more coordinated and fast, he discovers his strength lies elsewhere—heading the ball! His other teammates who are struggling with the same things—not being able to play soccer the way they think they should—also learn their particular strengths and together they all focus on those instead. It doesn’t win them they game (which I also love because learning a lesson doesn’t automatically translate into what we expect as success), but they all feel so proud of themselves and spent the game focused on what they could do instead of what they couldn’t that they had a really good time, and that is also a success!

While I appreciate that Franklin’s friends figured out how to turn things around on their own, I was disappointed with the adult figures in the book. Each of them just talked at the kids instead of trying to figure out why things weren’t working. “Just have fun!” ignored their feelings and did nothing to actually help the kids feel better or play better. “You have to work together as a team!” didn’t tell them how they could work as a team with success since their current plays were clearly not working. The adults definitely needed to step it up!

[Zoey]

A great story about learning to work together as a team, and created a space where you can have fun. Franklin realizes that it’s not always about winning and finally understands his parents advice and just has fun. once they realize that they can work together they work together to score a goal, and then celebrate that small victory even though they lose the game because they still worked hard and they still accomplished much.

[Cara Byrne]

Franklin has dreams of being an amazing soccer player who scores goals and is star of his team, but he never quite gets there. He does learn to work with his team and enjoy the game by the end of the book.

[Lynn Davidson]

No matter how hard they tried, Franklin's soccer team couldn't win a game. One day, by accident, Franklin discovered something that just might work, and then they learned to play as a team.
I love the illustrations in the Franklin books.

[Kristen Dutkiewicz]

Franklin and his friends show us that it’s possible to have fun and not win every game.

[Piotr Ro]

Bardzo Super książka bardzo polecam

[Ruth]

love these books

[alyanna]

good book about sportsmanship for my nursery students, but a little bit long.

[Anna]

Książka ucząca współpracy i tego że nie trzeba się poddawać, tylko probować. Franklin uczy i bawi.

[Ali]

Good story with a wholesome message. While some aspects of Franklin's world might not make sense to adults, it is a great book in general with fun illustrations.

[J.B. Mathias]

I loved Franklin books as a kid, still love the artwork as an adult. The story is a mixed bag, on the one hand the message of perserverance and using your abilities to work as a team is good, but I thought it was a little too celebratory of defeat.

[KaitandMaddie]

Kait’s soccer team this summer has only won a single game, so this may have been a timely story.

2023 - I love that Canadian McDonalds gives away books in Happy Meals. We ended up with two copies of this, so they both got to do the activities at the back.

[Child960801]

Franklin loves soccer, but he and his friends aren't very good at it. However, after a game, Franklin gets an idea for a new way to play. In the end, they all have fun, even though they keep losing.

[Takishia Gabriel]

This book would be great to teach students about teamwork. A lesson on counting could also be taught with this book.

[AnneMarie]

I grew up on Franklin! I love the books. great pictures and learning lessons also

[Katie]

So Canadian

[Halina Hetman]

Перша (і поки що єдина) книжка, яку я прочитала польською.

[Julia]

classroom library