“It was as if Ben could see into the future. Almost everything he created is still around today.” Author Gene Barretta’s witty play on words provides a framework for sharing information about sixteen of Franklin’s creations, discoveries, or improvements on existing ideas, most of which are still around in one form or another. “ Now . . . chairs come in all shapes and sizes. Ben . . . designed two chairs that are still very useful. The writing chair combined a desk and chair into one. The library chair was a combination chair and stepladder.” (Not as enduring were two of Franklin’s rocking chair designs: one had a fan on top to keep the sitter cool; the other churned butter while rocking.) Barretta’s illustrations manage to be both funny and informative, adding to this lighthearted look at Franklin’s inventive mind. (Ages 6–10)