To Bob and Robin, for the love we share — B.C.
Franklin Says I Love You
Written by Paulette Bourgeois
Illustrated by Brenda Clark
Kids Can Press
FRANKLIN thought he was very lucky. He thought he had the best pet goldfish. He thought he had the best friends and the best stuffed dog. But, most of all, Franklin thought he had the best mother in the whole wide world.
Franklin’s mother baked fly pie, just for him.
Franklin’s mother played catch, even when she was busy.
And Franklin’s mother always read him two stories before bed, even when she was tired.
So when Granny told Franklin that his mother’s birthday was the very next day, he decided to give her the best present ever.
Franklin wanted to show his mother how much he loved her.
Every year, Franklin made a birthday present for his mother.
She had loved her macaroni necklace.
She had hung Franklin’s self-portrait on the wall.
She had even worn her birthday hat shopping.
This year, Franklin decided to buy his mother something fancy.
He emptied his piggy bank and went to town.
Franklin looked in all the stores.
But everything cost too much.
“How can I show my mother I love her,” he wondered, “without a fancy present?”
So Franklin went looking for help.
He walked along the path and over the bridge until he came to Bear’s house.
“Bear,” said Franklin, “how can I show my mother I love her without a fancy present?”
“I always make my mother breakfast in bed,” said Bear.
But Franklin’s mother had told him that she didn’t like crumbs in bed.
Franklin walked through the berry patch until he came to Snail’s house.
“Snail,” said Franklin, “how can I show my mother I love her without a fancy present?”
“I always bring my mother flowers,” said Snail.
But Franklin had given his mother a bouquet of dandelions just the day before.
Franklin walked across the meadow until he came to Beaver’s house.
“Beaver,” said Franklin, “how can I show my mother I love her without a fancy present?”
“I always draw my mother a picture with hearts and flowers and X’s and O’s.”
“X’s and O’s?” asked Franklin.
“Kisses and hugs,” explained Beaver.
But Franklin always hugged his mother when he came home from school, and he kissed her every night.
Franklin walked around the pond until he came to Goose’s house.
“Goose,” said Franklin, “how can I show my mother I love her without a fancy present?”
“I always make my mother some pretty jewelry,” said Goose.
But Franklin’s mother already had a macaroni necklace and a string of pearls.
Franklin was tired and hungry.
He walked all the way home.
His mother’s birthday was the next morning, and Franklin still didn’t have a present.
Franklin asked his father, “How can I show Mother that I love her without a fancy present?”
“You do nice things for her every day,” answered Franklin’s father. “Why do you ask?”
“Because tomorrow is her birthday,” said Franklin.
His father looked surprised.
“Why don’t you and your sister make her a card?” he suggested. “I’ll run to the store.”
Franklin helped Harriet make a card, but he did most of the work.
Sometimes he wished he was little like Harriet. She never worried about anything.
Early the next morning, Franklin had an idea. He would do everything his friends suggested.
He made his mother a pretty brooch.
He drew her a picture with double X’s and O’s.
He cut fresh flowers from her garden.
And he put her breakfast on a tray.
Franklin tried his very best.
Franklin and Harriet sang “Happy Birthday” to their mother.
Then she ate her breakfast in bed and brushed away the crumbs.
She pinned her brooch on her pajamas.
She said she loved Harriet’s card, Franklin’s picture and the tool kit from Franklin’s father.
“You’ve made this a wonderful day,” said Franklin’s mother.
But Franklin wasn’t finished giving presents. He planned one more thing — something he’d thought of all by himself.
Franklin gave his mother a hug and a kiss, and then he said, “I love you.”
“Those three little words are better than any fancy present,” said Franklin’s mother.
Right then, Franklin knew he’d found the best way of all to show his mother he loved her.
Franklin is a trademark of Kids Can Press Ltd.
Text © 2002 Contextx Inc.
Illustrations © 2002 Brenda Clark Illustrator Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means without, the prior written permission of Kids Can Press Ltd. or, in case of photocopying or other reprographic copying, a license from The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Access Copyright). For an Access Copyright license, visit www.accesscopyright.ca or call toll free to 1-800-893-5777.
Kids Can Press acknowledges the financial support of the Ontario Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts and the Government of Canada, through the BPIDP, for our publishing activity.
Published in Canada by
Kids Can Press Ltd.
25 Dockside Drive
Toronto, ON M5A 0B5
Edited by Tara Walker
The hardcover edition of this book is smyth sewn casebound.
The paperback edition of this book is limp sewn with a drawn-on cover.
Manufactured in Buji, Shenzhen, China, in 10/2010 by WKT Company
CM 02 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
CDN PA 02 9 8 7 6 5 4
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Bourgeois, Paulette
Franklin says I love you / written by Paulette Bourgeois ;
illustrated by Brenda Clark.
ISBN: 978-1-4532-1958-4
1. Franklin (Fictitious character : Bourgeois) – Juvenile fiction. I. Clark,
Brenda II. Title.
PS8553.O85477F886 2011 jC813’.54 C2010-906674-X
Kids Can Press is a Corus™ Entertainment company
Table of Contents
Franklin is every young child’s friend. Children instantly connect with the little turtle’s sense of adventure and enjoy seeing him work through familiar dilemmas—fear of the dark, first-day-of-school jitters—in his own way. Franklin’s books have made friends all over the world, selling more than 65 million copies in over 30 languages.