Hey, It's Franklin!

I've seen "Franklin" several times on Nick Jr., and it is one of the better cartoons intended especially for young children. Though the characters are different, it seems to go hand in hand with "Little Bear". This time the main character is a turtle, not a bear -- although his best friend is a bear. Along with his parents and friends, Franklin learns an important lesson in each episode: fire safety, patience, perseverance, doing things by yourself...Each story is 10-15 minutes long and has a nice mix of fun and education, the lesson always being tightly integrated into the story. The bright background and bouncy music, not to mention the adorable characters, make this an ideal show for youngsters in their preschool years. One odd thing: Why is Franklin's name Franklin when all of his friends bear the name of their species - Bear, Otter, Beaver, Snail, Mrs. Muskrat, etc.? Oh, well. I guess that just makes him all the more special.