While the lessons are a bit on the corny and obvious side, they are probably reasonable ones for children to learn. Since the characters are in the upper age range for preschoolers, they will appeal to preschoolers (most of whom will be grappling with similar problems to Franklin) between the ages of 3-5. The stories are based on the books by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark, and were written with the aim of helping children through various development issues.
Reviewed by Magdalena Ball

Rated: G
Duration: 32 mins.
2002
PAL Format only
A$9.95

Franklin is a green cartoon turtle, about 6 years old. He has lots of friends and does the kinds of things that most kids his age do. Most of the episodes feature Franklin making minor mistakes and learning a lesson, sometimes with the help of his friends, and sometimes with the help of his parents. In this one, he races his bicycle with his friends, and wins the first time, but when his friend the Beaver, and his other friends Rabbit and Bear learn how to ride without training wheels, Franklin wants to try too. It isn't as easy as it looks, and when Franklin can't do it the first time he tries, he gets angry and stomps off, and gives up. Since all of his friends can ride without training wheels, Franklin avoids them and plays by himself for a while. The lesson here is an obvious one - you have to practice and keep trying to get good at something new, and naturally Franklin learns it in the end, especially after seeing all of his friends struggle to do some of the things which Franklin is good at.

Another episode concerns Franklin's problem with messiness. Franklin and his friends play lots of games, but because he is so messy, and doesn't clean up his room, he keeps losing things. This curtails the fun somewhat, and also irritates his friends and his parents, who keep nagging him to clean up, until of course, he does. In the last episode on this video, Franklin's Blanket, Franklin has to learn to do without his beloved blanket when it blows off the washing line.

While the lessons are a bit on the corny and obvious side, they are probably reasonable ones for children to learn. Since the characters are in the upper age range for preschoolers, they will appeal to preschoolers (most of whom will be grappling with similar problems to Franklin) between the ages of 3-5. The stories are based on the books by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark, and were written with the aim of helping children through various development issues.

Franklin Rides a Bike is part of the ABC Fun for Kids range which includes Arthur, Pony Tales, Blinky Bill, Miffy and Little Monsters. The range is all priced at $A9.95.

For more information on Franklin, including colouring pages, games and a secret club, visit:
http://www.franklintheturtle.com/index.asp