Paulette Bourgeois facts for kids

Paulette Bourgeois (born July 20, 1951) is a Canadian writer. She is famous for creating Franklin the Turtle. Franklin is a beloved character in picture books. These books are illustrated by Brenda Clark.

Franklin's books have sold over 60 million copies. They have been translated into 38 languages around the world. There's also a TV show, movies, and toys based on Franklin.

Paulette's Early Life and Career

Paulette Bourgeois was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She first studied Occupational therapy at the University of Western Ontario. After graduating in 1974, she worked as an occupational therapist for three years.

Then, Paulette decided to become a writer. She studied journalism at Carleton University. She worked as a reporter for a newspaper and on TV. Later, she became a freelance journalist. This means she wrote for different magazines and shows. She returned to Toronto in 1983. In 2009, she earned a special degree in creative writing.

How Franklin the Turtle Was Born

Paulette Bourgeois got the idea for Franklin after her first child, Natalie, was born. She was watching a TV show where a character said, "If I were a turtle I would be afraid of my own shell."

This idea sparked her imagination. She thought about a turtle who was afraid of small, dark places. This led to her first Franklin book, Franklin in the Dark. Brenda Clark created the wonderful pictures for the book. It was published in 1986.

Other Books by Paulette Bourgeois

Besides Franklin, Paulette Bourgeois has written many other books for kids. She wrote Changes in You and Me, which are books about growing up. Her book Oma's Quilt was even made into a short film.

She has also written many non-fiction books. These include the Amazing series and the In My Neighbourhood series. She wrote books about The Sun and The Moon. Paulette also helped create a TV show called The Bee Talker. She has written scripts for TV shows and even a movie.

In 2009, Paulette wrote a special book called You, Me and My OT. This book explains what occupational therapists do. It tells the story of a girl named Emma who has cerebral palsy. The book shows how Emma learns and plays in her classroom.

Paulette Bourgeois has two grown-up children, Natalie and Gordon. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Awards and Recognition

Paulette Bourgeois has received several important awards. In 2003, she became a Member of the Order of Canada. This is a high honor for Canadians.

In 2007, she received an honorary degree from her old university. She also got an Award of Merit from the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.

Selected Works

• On Your Mark, Get Set ...: All About the Olympics Then and Now (1987)
• The Amazing Apple Book (1987)
• The Amazing Paper Books (1989)
• Starting with Space: The Sun (1995)
• Starting with Space: The Moon (1995)
• Oma's Quilt (2001)