Ben Franklin: His Wit and Wisdom from A–Z

Alphabetically arranged, but far more than just an alphabet book, this guide to the life of Ben Franklin covers his upbringing, his prominence in early America, his many inventions, and his beliefs and writings. Given the breadth of Franklin's accomplishments, it shouldn't be surprising that each letter gets more than one word: N stands for newspaper, the New-England Courant (one of Franklin's papers); navigation (tied to his love of ships); and nude ("To his regret, ‘air baths' never caught on in colonial America"). O'Brien's ink and watercolor images contribute ample humor, and Schroeder creates a well-rounded, fascinating portrait of an iconic American. Ages 6–10. (Apr.)