Now & Ben

January 23, 2006
Now and then, we think about Ben," begins Barretta's (On Top of Spaghetti
) lighthearted and enlightening picture-book biography. "It was as if Ben could see into the future. Almost everything he created is still around today." The book's format echoes its title: the left-hand side of each spread highlights images and explanations of contemporary versions of Franklin's inventions ("Now"), while the facing page reveals the fellow at work on his innovations ("Ben"). Among the wide-ranging inventions, discoveries and designs included are bifocals, electricity, swimming fins, the benefits of Vitamin C, the Pennsylvania Fireplace (later renamed the Franklin stove) and the odometer ("Ben invented the odometer when he was postmaster general so he could measure his postal routes"). Barretta also mentions Franklin's pivotal role in establishing the country's first library, hospital, post office, and fire and sanitation departments, and in creating the Constitution and other key documents. The juxtaposition of present and past effectively reinforces the continued relevance of Franklin's inventions and underscores the extraordinary range and depth of his ingenuity and practicality. With its breezy format and succinct text, the book delivers facts in an assuredly kid-friendly style. The playful watercolor cartoons, often divided into panels, help to vary the pacing. A concluding futuristic spread envisions even further updated variations on Franklin's inventions. Ages 5-9.

March 1, 2006
Gr 2-5 -A clever, concise introduction to the contributions of this colorful colonial figure. The first spread depicts Franklin standing proudly by his family home with his wife and children smiling from within. His various occupations -writer, printer, diplomat, musician, humorist, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humanitarian -are written on the cobblestones beneath him. Next is a spread of a busy city street today, which challenges readers to guess which modern conveniences are owed to the subject -s creativity. Subsequent spreads take a closer look at each invention from political cartoons, bifocals, electricity, lightning rod, and Franklin stove to daylight saving time and more. Each spread features a -Now -& - description of a modern concept or convenience facing an early -Ben -& - idea. -Now -&every automobile has an odometer to measure the distance it travels. Ben -&invented the odometer when he was postmaster general so he could measure his postal routes. - The fanciful final spread depicts a futuristic scene with flying-saucer vehicles and robot servers, which encourages youngsters to imagine how today -s inventions will evolve in time. Engaging and humorous watercolor cartoons depict just how Franklin -s inventions were conceived and developed. The yellow mottled endpapers are filled with sketches of the inventions featured within. Both Aliki -s "The Many Lives of Benjamin Franklin" (S & S, 1988) and Rosalyn Schanzer -s "How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning" (HarperCollins, 2003) offer more background and biographical information, though this lively offering is sure to inspire readers to learn more about its fascinating subject. -"Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2006
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. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)