Ben and Me

Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos is a clever 'biography' of Benjamin Franklin that captured the attention of my son. Written from a mouse's point of view, the story contains many interesting facts about the statesman. Peppered with Ben's maxims, inventions, and idiosyncrasies, this book is a great introduction to his life. Amos, the mouse, makes the story quirky and enjoyable for the younger audience. Levi and I have started memorizing a few of Ben Franklin's sayings such as:

Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.

Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.

But in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

And my personal favorite (one that gets used often in our house):

Well done is better than well said.

It is amazing how often his maxims apply to our lives!

We again wrote a selection of new words found in the pages of Ben and Me with the definitions found in the children's dictionary.

succor: help, relief

maxim: a short saying expressing a general truth or rule of conduct

laborer: worker

recollect: remember

contrive: plan, or form or make in some skillful or clever way

inclement: stormy

secluded: hidden from sight

ludicrous: funny because of being ridiculous

odious: causing hatred or strong dislike

aristocrat: a person of the upper class, richer and more powerful than the rest of a society

banished: to drive away