Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin

Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin

Written and illustrated by: Gene Barretta

Square Fish, 2006

40 pages

Picture Book: Non-Fiction

I chose this book because Benjamin Franklin is one of the most interesting historical figures of America. America would not be what it is today without Benjamin Franklin and his many inventions and contributions to society. This book tells about Ben’s inventions and how each one is being used today. What would our society be like today without Benjamin Franklin? This book shows just how much one person can do for his country. Not only did Benjamin Franklin create several useful inventions, he played key roles in writing the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

Gene Baretta is the illustrator and writer of this book. Gene’s medium is watercolor. All of the illustrations for this book were painted with watercolor on paper. Gene Barretta’s illustrations are accurate portrayals of Ben Franklin’s time as well as the 21^st century. Bright, vivid colors are used throughout the book. Most pages have the “Now” pictures and the “Then” pictures on the right.

This book is appropriate for ages 5-9. I would read this book to a 3^rd grade class for a science lesson. This book would be a great way to discuss electricity and the way that Benjamin Franklin learned about electricity with a kite, string, and key. I could also read this book to 3^rd graders for a creative writing lesson. I would read this book to my students and prompt them to write by saying, “What would society be like without Benjamin Franklin’s inventions?” This book could also be utilized as an introduction to a 2^nd grade history lesson about the Declaration of Independence. I would read this book to my students before I started the lesson and discuss the great contribution that Benjamin Franklin made to the Declaration of Independence.