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Ben Franklin's Big Splash: The Mostly True Story of His First Invention Hardcover – September 1, 2014

by Barb Rosenstock (Author), S.D. Schindler (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 28 ratings
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A National Science Teachers Association, Best STEM Book

Every inventor has to start somewhere, and one of the greatest innovators in our history was no exception. Ben Franklin developed his first invention while doing what he loved best: swimming! Ben's Big Splash is the story of Franklin's first invention, his journey through the scientific method, and the surprising successes that result when you're willing to make mistakes. Barb Rosenstock’s rhythmic, whimsical style is the perfect complement to S. D. Schindler’s pen and ink and watercolor illustrations. Together they recreate history in an engaging and unique way. Both author and illustrator worked closely with Franklin experts, and the book includes Franklin quotes, an extensive author’s note, timeline, and bibliography.
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  1. Reading age
    7 - 10 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 5
  5. Lexile measure
    1070L
  6. Dimensions
    8.75 x 0.38 x 10.81 inches
  7. Publisher
    Calkins Creek
  8. Publication date
    September 1, 2014
  9. ISBN-10
    1620914468
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1620914465
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

★ ". . . The alliterative, sibilant text is a rollicking read to share aloud with young students . . . The watercolor and ink artwork conveys joy and motion, with young Ben splashing into the water, gleefully trying out his fins. An extensive bibliography, source notes for quotations, and a time line of Franklin's life add to the veracity and strength of this story. This is a fun introduction to one of the nation's founding fathers and a solid addition to collections needing a different perspective on this American icon." --School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Is another picture book about Ben Franklin really needed? The answer is yes, as unlike many of its predecessors, this one takes a fresh approach by focusing on a single childhood fascination--swimming. . . Emphatic, alliterative verbs accentuate both his enthusiasm and his methodical nature. . . The finely detailed ink-and-watercolor illustrations, varying type sizes and colors, and clever page design effectively an delightfully depict this significant American scientist. . . As inventive as Ben himself, this presentation is awash with delight and definitely makes a big splash." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

" . . . Here's a slightly fictionalized tale to celebrate one of Ben's less-heralded accomplishments: self-taught swimmer. . . The text's tone is light and optimistic. Select words and phrases appear in larger colorful type, which, together with Schindler's lively ink and watercolor paintings, gives the book a breezy feel. . . " --The Horn Book Magazine

About the Author

Barb Rosenstock loves inventing stories. Her award-winning picture books include: Fearless, The Littlest Mountain, The Camping Trip that Changed America, Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library, The Noi

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Calkins Creek; Illustrated edition (September 1, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1620914468
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1620914465
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 10 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1070L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 5
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.75 x 0.38 x 10.81 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 28 ratings

About the author

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Barb Rosenstock

Barb Rosenstock

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Barb Rosenstock writes true stories for today’s kids. She’s the author of many award-winning picture books including the Caldecott Honor title, THE NOISY PAINT BOX, illustrated by Mary Grandpré, the first in series of picture books about famous artists. THE SECRET KINGDOM and OTIS AND WILL DISCOVER THE DEEP were recently honored by the NCTE Orbis Pictus committee and THROUGH THE WINDOW received a Sydney Taylor honor. Barb loves to visit schools and share ideas about reading and writing with students. She lives with her family near Chicago.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
28 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Mumsey295
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun, new approach to Ben Franklin
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2015
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This book looks at Ben Franklin in a fun, new way. Both my son and I enjoyed learning a few new things about one of our country's founding fathers.
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Shopaholic
5.0 out of 5 stars Having heard of this event prior, I was ecstatic ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2016
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Having heard of this event prior, I was ecstatic to see it in print. Barb Rosenstock did the story justice!!
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Kaye F. O'Brien
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2017
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Thanks
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LPS
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting tale of Ben Franklin's first invention
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2014
I liked this story--I had never heard of this episode from Ben Franklin's life. The language play is fun, though I resisted the constant "s" alliteration. Finally I just gave in and went with it. I'm still not sure quite how I feel about it (even though I'm an alliteration fan when it comes to poetry), but I bet it's really fun to read aloud to kids.

The CIP info was incomplete, so I'm not sure if this is categorized as literature or nonfiction--I assume literature. I appreciated the Author's Note explaining what was fact and what was imagined.
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Dion
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2015
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Excellent product and price
One person found this helpful
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Sunday C
5.0 out of 5 stars Use for discussion with text-dependent questions and as a mentor for writing biographically-based narratives
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2015
Great read aloud in the primary and even intermediate grades or a book for partner reading and discussion of main ideas like "How does this book reveal Franklin's curiosity about the world?" and "How does Franklin's method for perfecting an invention relate to scientific processes we've studied in class?"

Also, Rosenstock's author's note reveals how she used a specific primary source--a letter Franklin wrote to a fellow scientist in 1773 and other information available about Franklin-to imagine this story. This could serve as a launch pad for students' interpretation of primary sources and writing of their own biographically-based fictional narratives about a historical figure. This research and writing experience would require students to synthesize ideas from multiple texts and then write around a main idea they want to convey to a reader about their figure.
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Sarah Glenn Fortson
5.0 out of 5 stars ... all of Barb Rosenstock's picture book biographies and I love them! I recently reread Ben Franklin's Big Splash ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2016
I've read all of Barb Rosenstock's picture book biographies and I love them! I recently reread Ben Franklin's Big Splash and as always found myself laughing out loud.
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Carol Simon Levin
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful introduction to the "try try again" determination of our astonishingly inventive founding father!
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2015
Loved this rollicking alliterative introduction to the indefatigable young Ben (and to the scientific method/engineering process)! I used it as a kick-off to my program on inventors and inventions for elementary students. Details here: http://carolsimonlevin.blogspot.com/2015/04/mothers-fathers-of-invention-if-at.html
BTW, did anyone else draw a text-to-text connection to "Froggy Gets Dressed" by Jonathon London in Ben's stripping down to go swimming?
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