Franklin the turtle wants a pet and when his parents finally agree, they are surprised at the pet that Franklin chooses.

Franklin, a turtle, loses his special blue blanket, and even though he has his father's old yellow blanket, he has trouble sleeping until he finds his blanket again. He decides he likes living in a house where blankets are special to family members.

Franklin is missing out on a lot of fun because he cannot ride his bike without training wheels, but when his mother points out that learning new things takes a lot of work, he decides to try again.

Franklin is afraid of thunderstorms. When a storm approaches while he is playing at Fox's house, a flash of lightning sends Franklin into his shell. He refuses to come out -- even for snacks -- until his friends make him laugh with their tall tales about what causes storms. And when Beaver explains what really causes thunder and lightning, Franklin begins to feel much safer.