Books Like Franklin in the Dark
Families who loved Franklin in the Dark by Paulette Bourgeois often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved Franklin in the Dark by Paulette Bourgeois often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a private fear or feeling 'wrong' because they aren't meeting a specific expectation of bravery. Franklin is a turtle who is afraid of small, dark places, which is a significant problem because he has to sleep inside his shell. To avoid his fear, he drags his shell behind him, feeling deep shame about being different from other turtles. As Franklin journeys to find a solution, he meets various animals who reveal that they also have specific fears, despite appearing confident. This story provides a beautiful opening to discuss how courage isn't the absence of fear, but finding a way to move forward despite it. It is perfectly calibrated for preschoolers and early elementary students who are beginning to navigate social comparisons and bedtime anxieties.
