Franklin the Turtle Series by Paulette Bourgeois, Barbara Rosenblat

With his new pencil case packed with a ruler, eraser and 12 colored pencils, Franklin is ready for his first day of school -- until it's time to board the bus. In this Franklin Classic Storybook, Franklin faces the excitement and fear of starting school.

In this Franklin Classic Storybook, Franklin sets off to Bear's house for a birthday party, but it's far from a straightforward journey. Like most preschoolers, Franklin is a dawdler, slow even for a turtle. The trip becomes an opportunity to play leapfrog with Rabbit, slip and slide in the mud with Otter, and maybe even play hide-and-seek with Fox. But just in time, Franklin remembers that he mustn't be late for Bear's special day.

In this Franklin Classic Storybook, Franklin can count forwards and backwards. He can zip zippers and button buttons. He can slide down a riverbank by himself. He can even sleep alone in his small, dark shell. And ever since he was small, he really wanted a pet.