Are Franklin The Turtle Toys Still Sold New?

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.

Oh man, I still get a little giddy hunting through dusty toy aisles for weird merch like that. From what I've seen, pirate-themed 'SpongeBob SquarePants' toys aren't a common sight in mainstream stores anymore — most of the original pirate variants were part of limited runs or promotional sets years ago, so big chains usually stock the current waves (new episodes, movie tie-ins, seasonal stuff) rather than niche throwbacks. That said, they're not extinct. I found one years back at a vintage toy shop tucked between gum-ball machine prizes and action figures, so secondhand and collectible stores are a great bet. Online marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, and some collector groups on Facebook tend to be where the rarer pirate versions pop up. If you prefer retail, check specialty pop culture shops, convention dealers, and smaller toy boutiques; they sometimes bring in older or themed pieces. Also watch Halloween and costume sections — sometimes retailers re-release pirate-style merchandise around fall. A few tips from my own scavenging: use varied search terms (’pirate SpongeBob figure’, ’SpongeBob pirate toy’, ’SpongeBob treasure’), set alerts on eBay or Google Shopping, and always inspect photos for authenticity—there are plenty of knockoffs. If you want something immediate and cute, consider making a quick DIY: a regular SpongeBob figure plus a tiny pirate hat and a cardboard cutlass can pass for playtime fun. Happy hunting — it feels awesome to stumble on one unexpectedly, like finding buried treasure.

On a rainy afternoon when my kiddo and I were stacking picture books, I pulled out an old favorite and felt that warm little jolt of recognition — Franklin didn’t start on TV or as a plush toy, he began on the page. The character was created by Canadian writer Paulette Bourgeois with illustrations by Brenda Clark; the first book, 'Franklin in the Dark', was published in 1986. Bourgeois wrote tender, everyday childhood dilemmas and Clark’s soft, expressive drawings gave Franklin his look and personality: a shy, curious little turtle learning to face common fears and grow up a bit each story. I love how grounded the original books are. They’re about scraped knees, making friends, and dealing with feelings, which is why producers later adapted Franklin into the popular animated series 'Franklin' and the later CGI 'Franklin and Friends'. Seeing the difference between the paper originals and the TV versions made me appreciate how stories travel — and how a Canadian picture book became a childhood staple in so many countries. If you’re into charming, low-key childhood stories, start with 'Franklin in the Dark' and watch how small moments become memorable lessons.

Turtle doll collectibles? Oh, they’re absolutely out there, and some are downright adorable! I stumbled upon this limited-edition plush from 'Animal Crossing' a while back—it’s a soft, chubby little guy with a tiny leaf umbrella. There’s also a niche market for handmade crocheted turtle dolls on Etsy, where artists go wild with textures and colors. If you’re into vintage stuff, I’ve seen retro rubber turtle toys from the ’80s pop up on eBay, complete with that nostalgic squeaker. For something more high-end, Japanese capsule toys occasionally feature miniature turtle mascots, like the ones from 'Sumikko Gurashi.' And let’s not forget the creepy-cool realm of artist resin figures—some sculptors turn turtles into surreal, moonlit creatures with gemstone shells. Half my shelf space is dedicated to these finds, and I’ve got no regrets.

Hunting for a slurping turtle plush lately? I went down this adorable rabbit hole and found that the thing people call a “slurping turtle” most often shows up as either an indie novelty plush or a limited-run prize/merch item rather than a permanent catalog piece from one big mainstream company. My quick breakdown: independent plush makers on Etsy and commission artists on Twitter/Instagram are the top places for whimsical, custom designs that actually show a turtle slurping something (ramen, bubble tea, etc.). Japanese prize brands like Taito and Sega sometimes release quirky turtle-themed plushes in crane games that get reseller listings on Yahoo! Auctions Japan or Mandarake. Bigger plush brands — GUND, Jellycat, Aurora — will have turtle plushes, but they’re usually classic styles, not slurping gimmicks. If you want a manufactured retail option, keep an eye on Amuse and San-X drops; they occasionally do character-y food/turtle mashups for seasonal campaigns. Squishmallows sometimes releases turtle characters with cute faces that fans modify or stage as “slurping” in photos, which is a neat workaround. For immediate buys, Amazon, eBay, Mercari (JP and US), and AliExpress carry both genuine and knockoff novelty plushes, so check reviews and seller photos closely. My personal tip: set alerts on eBay and follow a few plush makers on social to catch commissions or limited drops — I snagged my favorite weird turtle that way. Nothing beats seeing a silly little turtle mid-slurp on my shelf; it always makes me smile.

I love shopping for kids' toys, especially unique ones like toy turtles! My go-to spots are usually specialty toy stores or local shops that focus on eco-friendly products—they often have adorable handcrafted wooden turtles or soft plush ones that are super safe for little hands. Online, Etsy is fantastic for finding handmade or vintage-style turtle toys with personality. Amazon, of course, has everything from bath-time rubber turtles to interactive robotic ones. Just make sure to check reviews for safety and durability—kids can be rough on their favorites! Another idea? Check out aquarium or zoo gift shops! They sometimes carry educational toy turtles that come with fun facts about real species. It’s a sneaky way to mix playtime and learning. I once found a glow-in-the-dark turtle at a science museum shop, and it became my nephew’s bedtime staple for months.

I still smile thinking about how gentle and straightforward Franklin was. When I go back to 'Franklin' picture books and the TV episodes, a handful of lines always pop into my head because they felt like tiny life lessons wrapped in simple words. Some of the most memorable quotes (often paraphrased from episodes and books) are: 'It's okay to be afraid' from 'Franklin in the Dark'—that gentle reassurance when he faces nighttime; 'Friends can help you through anything' from various stories about teamwork; and 'I made a mistake, but I can try again' spoken in moments when he learns responsibility. What I love about these lines is how ordinary they sound but how much comfort they carry. Franklin's sayings are short, comforting, and often tied to a scene where a child learns to share, apologize, or be brave. Other repeatable lines include simple refrains like 'Can we try together?' or 'That wasn't fair,' which give kids vocabulary for feelings. Whenever I tuck my niece into bed with a Franklin book, those phrases light up the conversation—easy to remember and perfect for little hearts learning big emotions.

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.

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.

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.