Module 11/SLIS 5420: Informational Books

Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin


Written and Illustrated by Gene Barretta


Summary

Barretta introduces the many inventions of Benjamin Franklin to younger readers through the use of clever illustrations and narrative. Each invention or innovation is represented by the pun, "Now and Ben,"while illustrations depict Franklin's inventions or innovations on one side of the spread, and their modern equivalants on the other side. The book ends with a futuristic montage that will delight readers as they imagine how Franklin's inventions will evolve in the future.

My Impressions

Now and Ben offers a unique view of many of Benjamin Franklin's inventions that will delight young readers. Although he repeatedly uses a bad pun to illustrate his point, Barretta links Franklin's to concepts and contraptions that modern children can relate to. The illustrations are fun and clever, and overall, the book is a fun addition to American history.

Reviews

A clever, concise introduction to the contributions of this colorful colonial figure... Engaging and humorous watercolor cartoons depict just how Franklins inventions were conceived and developed. The yellow mottled endpapers are filled with sketches of the inventions featured within.... this lively offering is sure to inspire readers to learn more about its fascinating subject.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools for School Library Journal.

An authorial debut for illustrator Barretta, Now & Ben aims at the youngest readers, limiting its purview to Franklin as a slightly tubby, jolly inventor and innovator. Each left-hand page describes and illustrates one of Franklin's contributions as we know it ("Now . . . our newspapers are filled with illustrations"); the opposite page goes back in time to reveal the Franklin connection ("Ben . . . was the first to print a political cartoon in America"). Most young children won't grasp the play on the phrase now and then but will zero in instead on the well-chosen examples, which include bifocals and lightning rods as well as lesser-known notions (a rocking chair that churned butter!), all appealingly rendered in Barretta's relaxed, cartoonlike watercolors. This will be a punchy read-aloud to lighten up American history units, though teachers wanting more details will need to look elsewhere as the book's biographical context is scattershot and no end matter is provided. Jennifer Mattson for Booklist.

Activities

Bring physical examples or representations of many of Franklin's inventions or innovations to show to the students. For example: bifocal lenses, "the grabber," political cartoons, swim flippers, a map of the gulf stream, etc.

Bibliography

Barretta, Gene. Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin. New York: Henry Holt & Company, 2006. ISBN: 0805079173