00:00Franklin Goes to School by Paulette Bourgeois
00:30illustrated by Brenda Clark.
00:35Franklin could count by twos and tie his shoes.
00:39He could zip zippers and button buttons.
00:42But Franklin was worried about starting school.
00:45And that was a problem because Franklin was going to school for the very first time.
00:54Franklin woke up with the sun.
00:56It's my very first day of school, he told Goldie, his fish.
01:01Franklin packed his new pencil case with a ruler and a pencil,
01:05an eraser and twelve colored pencils that he had sharpened himself.
01:09Then he woke his parents.
01:15Hurry, he said to his parents. I cannot be late for school.
01:20Franklin's mother looked at the clock.
01:22Even the teacher is not awake, she laughed. It is too early.
01:27You must be very excited, said Franklin's father.
01:31Franklin nodded.
01:36It was so early that there was time to make a big breakfast.
01:40You'll need a full tummy to work at school, said Franklin's father.
01:45Franklin was not hungry.
01:47I already have a full tummy, he said.
01:50It feels like it is full of jumping frogs.
01:53Franklin's mother gave him a hug.
01:56I felt that way on my first day of school.
01:59But the funny feeling went away.
02:01Franklin ate a little.
02:03He double-checked his book bag.
02:05Finally, it was time to go to school.
02:10Halfway to the bus stop, Franklin clutched his tummy.
02:14I don't want to go, he said.
02:17Franklin's father gave him a hug.
02:19That's how I felt when I started school, he said.
02:23Look, all your friends are waiting for the bus.
02:29There was a big crowd at the bus stop.
02:32There were brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers.
02:36Beaver was carrying her favorite book.
02:39I can read it, she said.
02:41All of it? asked Bear.
02:44Yes, she answered proudly.
02:46Franklin rubbed his tummy.
02:50Rabbit pulled out a brand new notebook.
02:54My big sister showed me how to write my numbers, he said.
02:58All of them? asked Fox.
03:01Most of them, boasted Rabbit.
03:04Franklin looked at his mother.
03:06I want to go home, he said.
03:09We will be here after school to hear about all the things you did today, she said.
03:14When the bus arrived, Rabbit grabbed his sister's hand and climbed on board.
03:19Bear stood on the steps and waved goodbye again and again.
03:23Franklin hugged his mother, then his father.
03:26He kept hugging even after his friends had found seats.
03:33As the bus pulled away, Franklin looked out the window.
03:37He didn't know if he was ready for school.
03:39Do you think the teacher will yell? wondered Rabbit, who jumped at loud noises.
03:43Do you think there's a bathroom at school? asked Beaver, fidgeting in her seat.
03:48I hope somebody has an extra snack, said Bear, who had already eaten his.
03:53Franklin did not say anything.
03:56The bus ride seemed very, very long.
04:01When they arrived, Rabbit and his sister were sitting on a bench.
04:05When they arrived, their teacher was waiting.
04:08Mr. Owl said hello in a gentle voice.
04:11He showed them where to hang their coats and where to sit.
04:14He showed them where to find the bathroom and offered everyone a piece of fruit.
04:19Then, Beaver and Bear went to the reading and writing center.
04:23Rabbit went to the play kitchen, but Franklin stayed in his seat.
04:26What would you like to do today, Franklin? asked Mr. Owl.
04:30I don't know, said Franklin, rubbing his tummy.
04:33I can't write all the numbers like Rabbit can.
04:36I can't read like Beaver can.
04:39Rabbit and Beaver will learn new things at school, and so will you.
04:43Franklin started to doodle.
04:46I can see that you are a very good reader, Mr. Owl.
04:50I can see that you are a very good reader, Mr. Owl.
04:54I can see that you are a very good artist, said the teacher.
05:01Franklin sat up taller.
05:04I know all my colors, too, he said.
05:07What color is this? asked Mr. Owl, holding up a colored pencil.
05:11It's a special blue, said Franklin.
05:14It is turquoise.
05:16Now you have taught me something, said Mr. Owl.
05:20Is there something special you would like to learn?
05:24There were so many things Franklin wanted to learn that he had trouble deciding.
05:29Finally, he asked Mr. Owl to help him read his favorite book.
05:33Franklin made a building of blocks.
05:36He sorted the money in the classroom store and painted four pictures.
05:41One for the teacher, one for himself, and two for his parents.
05:45It was a wonderful day.
05:54Franklin sat at the back of the bus all the way home.
05:58He bumped up and down.
06:00He was so busy having fun that he almost forgot to get off at his stop.
06:05His parents were waiting.
06:07How is your tummy? they asked.
06:09Franklin looked puzzled.
06:11It had been such a good day that he had forgotten all about his jumpy tummy.
06:16My tummy is empty, he said.
06:19That's a feeling that will go away, too, said Franklin's father.
06:24I made this for you, said Franklin's mother.
06:28She gave Franklin his favorite snack, fly pie.
06:32And I made this for you, said Franklin.
06:35He gave his parents two pictures and two big hugs.
06:53Thank you so much for watching.
