Franklin and the Thunderstorm (Kids Can Press)
A short, gentle Franklin story that helps young kids talk about fear of thunderstorms.
The short version
- Preschoolers and early readers who are scared of thunder and lightning
- Families and classrooms already reading Franklin books
- Teachers looking for a short read aloud on courage or weather
- You want a detailed nonfiction explanation of how storms work
- Your child is past grade 2 and reading longer chapter books
What owners like
- Detailed, warm illustrations with well drawn animal characters
- Handles a common childhood fear in a gentle, familiar series format
- The thunder and lightning explanation is pitched at a child's level
Common complaints
- The science explanation leaves out parts of how lightning works
- The reassurance in the story may not ease every child's storm anxiety
Based on The Kids Can Press product page, the Apple Books listing, the Amazon listing and one independent review on The Ladybug Reads blog. Coverage of reader experience was thin..
Research scores
Scored from the maker's specs and what owners report. Drew's own notes and photos will refine these.
Ownership
- Mar 2026
First bought.
Drew's hands-on notes for this product are on the way. Long-term updates will be added to this timeline.
What it does
A 32 page Franklin the Turtle picture book about being afraid of thunderstorms, written by Paulette Bourgeois and illustrated by Brenda Clark.
- Franklin hides in his shell during a storm at Fox's house and will not come out, even for snacks
- His friends tell tall tales about what causes storms until he laughs
- Beaver then explains what really causes thunder and lightning
- Kids Can Press lists courage as the curriculum theme, with family, friends and weather as related topics
- Free story time and activity PDFs are offered on the publisher's page
A good pick for preschool to grade 2 kids who get nervous during storms, or for families already reading the Franklin series. It pairs a gentle story about friends helping with fear with a simple explanation of thunder and lightning. The science is kept very basic, and one reviewer found the reassurance may not settle every anxious child.
How it compares
Specs
- Author
- Paulette Bourgeois
- Illustrator
- Brenda Clark
- Publisher
- Kids Can Press
- Series
- Franklin Classic Storybooks
- Length
- 32 pages
- Ages
- Preschool to grade 2, per Kids Can Press
- Reading level
- Lexile 530L, guided reading level K, AR level 2.5
- Formats
- Paperback (ISBN 1554537290) and eBook
Questions
What age is Franklin and the Thunderstorm for?
Kids Can Press lists it for preschool to grade 2.
What is the reading level?
The publisher lists a Lexile of 530L, guided reading level K and an Accelerated Reader level of 2.5.
How long is the book?
It is a 32 page picture book.
Does it explain thunder and lightning?
Yes, in simple terms. Beaver explains what really causes thunder and lightning after the friends tell their tall tales.
Is there an eBook version?
Yes. Kids Can Press sells it in paperback and as an eBook, and it is on Apple Books.
Sources
- Kids Can Press: Franklin and the Thunderstorm
- Apple Books: Franklin and the Thunderstorm
- The Ladybug Reads: Review of Franklin and the Thunderstorm
- Amazon: Franklin and the Thunderstorm (1554537290)
- Kids Can Press: Franklin in the Dark
- Amazon: Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco
Researched 2026-10-02. We bought this product; our page is built from the maker's details and what owners report across reviews and forums. We never copy Amazon customer reviews.