What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?

Based on the 1976 picture book by Margot Tomes, What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? is a delightful iconographic paean to one of our most colorful Founding Fathers. Narrated by Jean Fritz, the program traces Franklin's story from his birth in 1706, through his apprenticeship at his brother's print shop (from which he ran away at the age of 17) to his own adventures in the printing business, his wide array of inventions, his world wandering political embassies, and his hand in creating the U.S. Constitution late in life. There's wonderful attention to interesting details: as a youth, we learn, Franklin spent the considerable fortune of 6 cents to go see a lion face to face. After reading a book about swimming, he created a number of truly weird strokes himself. And, while hosting an "electrical picnic" in which a turkey was meant to be fried, Franklin himself took the jolt and was rendered unconscious. This was, after all, the man who created the lightning rod for the express purpose of inviting lightning to strike his house. a little eccentric, and more than a little lucky, Franklin was also a true Renaissance man whose contributions we still cherish today. An excellent program for ages 6 and up. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)