Where Did Franklin The Turtle Originate As A Character?

Sunlight through smudged classroom windows, the smell of crayons, and a pile of picture books—that’s the scene where 'Franklin the Turtle' clicked for us. I used to bring the books out during circle time, and something about Franklin’s small worries and mellow solutions made kids quiet down faster than any sticker chart. The stories are short, clear, and centered on feelings: being scared of the dark, losing a tooth, or learning to share. Those moments are gold for a class because they’re real and easy for little ones to imitate. What sealed it, though, was the gentle rhythm. The illustrations invite kids to point out little details, and the repeated cast—Bear, Rabbit, Franklin’s family—gives a cozy familiarity. We turned one of the books into a puppet show once; later that week, half the class was reenacting scenes during free play. That kind of carryover from reading to play is exactly why 'Franklin the Turtle' became a classroom favorite in my experience. It teaches without lecturing, and the kids keep coming back for the comfort and the tiny moral wins.

The kid in me still perks up whenever someone brings up 'Franklin' — and yeah, the little turtle was voiced by Noah Reid in the original Canadian cartoon. He was the warm, slightly shy kid-next-door kind of voice that made Franklin feel genuine and comforting. Noah Reid voiced Franklin through the original run and also in the movie 'Franklin and the Green Knight', bringing that same gentle tone that a lot of us grew up with. It's a fun bit of trivia I like to drop when chatting with friends about where actors end up: Reid later became well known as an adult actor and musician, especially for playing Patrick in 'Schitt's Creek'. So when you hear that friendly, earnest tone from young Franklin, there's this odd, delightful bridge to his later work. Also worth noting — like many children's shows, different dubs and localized versions sometimes used other voice actors, but if you watched the original English-language series, it was Noah Reid who gave Franklin his voice. If you ever rewatch an episode, listen for that particular warmth; it’s oddly nostalgic.

Bedtime these days usually includes a stack of picture books and an episode of 'Franklin' on my kid's tablet, so I've been comparing the two a lot. The books—short, illustrated stories like 'Franklin in the Dark'—are quiet and intimate. They often focus on one small worry or lesson and leave room for the reader to sit with the pictures and the feelings. Franklin in the books feels a bit slower, more reflective; the narration fills in his thoughts in a way that lets little readers imagine the tone. The TV show opens things up. Episodes expand a single-book idea into a 10–15 minute plot and pepper it with extra jokes, songs, and side characters. The visuals are brighter, the dialogue is punchier, and Franklin's social world gets larger—there's more back-and-forth, repeated motifs for learning, and sometimes entirely new stories not in the books. I like both: the books for cozy focus, the show for lively examples and silly bits that make kids laugh, and together they bring Franklin's world to life in different but complementary ways.

Lately I've been on a little mission to find where to stream 'Franklin' for my niece, and here's what I've learned that actually works for most people. The easiest bets are places that sell or rent episodes: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV/iTunes, and Google Play often have whole seasons of 'Franklin' available to buy or rent — sometimes a few episodes will be included with a Prime subscription depending on region. Another avenue I love is checking my public library apps (Hoopla and Kanopy have surprised me more than once with classic kids' shows). Those let you stream for free with a library card. Also look for the reboot 'Franklin and Friends' separately; it’s often listed on the same storefronts but under a different title. If you want free options, search YouTube for official channel uploads and check free ad-supported services like Tubi or Pluto TV — availability rotates, though. My little trick: use a site like JustWatch to see current streaming options for your country before throwing money at something.

I still hum that little tune when I see a turtle toy at the store. If you’re talking about the classic kids’ show, the theme is most commonly just listed as the 'Franklin' theme (or sometimes shown in credits as the 'Theme from Franklin'). There isn’t a fancy standalone title like a pop single might have — it’s basically the show’s theme song, written to introduce Franklin and his friends and set a cozy, gentle vibe. There are a couple of variations floating around: the original 2D series that a lot of us grew up with has the familiar warm, sing-along melody, while the later reboot 'Franklin and Friends' has an updated musical intro that people sometimes call the 'Franklin and Friends' theme. If you want to grab it, looking at the end credits of an episode or searching "Franklin theme song" on YouTube will usually turn up the exact version you remember. For me, it’s pure nostalgia—one of those tiny songs that instantly takes me back to snack time and storytime.

I still get a little smile thinking about the warm, simple way 'Franklin' handled sharing — some episodes hit that theme right on the nose. If you want a starting point, look for 'Franklin Shares' (it's based on Paulette Bourgeois's book of the same name). In that episode Franklin wrestles with wanting a toy for himself and learning how much better it feels to take turns and let friends play too. Other episodes that touch sharing indirectly are ones where Franklin has to give up something he loves or learns to be fair: the 'blanket' storylines (often called 'Franklin's Blanket' or similar) and the birthday/party episodes where he learns about invitations, taking turns, and group play. Titles sometimes change between the books, the Canadian series, and regional releases, so I usually search for the episode by description if the exact title doesn’t pop up. If you’re curating a playlist for kids, mix 'Franklin Shares' with an episode about taking turns or cooperation — the lessons reinforce each other. Also consider the picture books like 'Franklin Shares' to pair with the show; reading plus watching helps the idea stick in a cozy, real-world way.

I still get that warm, fuzzy feeling when I spot a 'Franklin the Turtle' item online — so yes, you can sometimes find new Franklin toys, but they aren’t as common as the big, current cartoon merch. I’ve seen new-in-box Franklin plushes, small figurines, and a few playsets pop up from time to time on sites that sell older or licensed kids’ stuff. The rebooted show 'Franklin and Friends' sporadically had licensed toys, so searches for both 'Franklin the Turtle' and 'Franklin and Friends' help. If you’re hunting, your best bets are online marketplaces and specialty sellers: filter for “new” on Amazon, check small retailers that sell children’s classics, and watch eBay for new-old-stock listings. Etsy sometimes has newly-made plush inspired by Franklin (unofficial), and bookstore chains or Scholastic-related outlets occasionally carry newer books and small toys tied to promotional lines. If you want a mint, look for “new with tags” or factory-sealed listings and verify seller reviews — I’ve learned the hard way that photos can be deceiving. Happy hunting — and if you find a great deal, tell me where you scored it!

I still get a little giddy seeing Franklin books on a library shelf — there's something warm about those round, friendly turtle illustrations. Paulette Bourgeois wrote them and Brenda Clark illustrated them, and the very first book that put Franklin on the map is 'Franklin in the Dark'. From there they built dozens of picture books, board books, and early-reader titles that tackle everyday kid problems: making friends, feeling scared, dealing with bossiness, fibbing, trying new things, and so on. Some of the staples you’ll likely find are 'Franklin in the Dark', 'Franklin Goes to School', 'Franklin Rides a Bike', 'Franklin Fibs', and 'Franklin and the Thunderstorm'. There are also themed collections and treasury editions that bundle several short stories — perfect for bedtime. I often recommend starting with 'Franklin in the Dark' if a child is scared of the dark, or 'Franklin Rides a Bike' when they're learning to pedal. Most public libraries have multiple Franklin titles, and bookstores/online retailers carry both single books and box sets. If you want tactile options for toddlers, look for the board-book versions; older kids might enjoy early-reader adaptations or the chapter-style books that continue Franklin’s adventures.