At age 21, Franklin C. Edwards began writing children’s books in an effort to change the future for the next generation. This lofty goal was inspired by a vision to be better and do better and influence the behavior of children early on so that they grow into adults who can truly serve the world.
It began at age 18 when Franklin’s father took him to a toy drive, where he witnessed needy kids receiving Christmas gifts. This was a defining moment, one that not only warmed his heart but simultaneously provided the impetus for the birth of the “Franklin the Helper” series. Its content explores faith-based social and emotional skills, such as honesty, gratitude, forgiveness, and proximity to God.
The concepts of self-empowerment and resiliency are embedded in easy-to-read stories, the spirit of which is captured by the accompanying expressive illustrations. What started with just a handful of books, Franklin the Helper has now bloomed into a full-fledged bookstore in Willow Bend Mall. Here, youngsters are coached on how to write and/or publish through interactive, hands-on workshops.
Today, at age 24, Franklin is a Christian author, public speaker, and entrepreneur and the proud author of 15 children’s books and one poetry book (called the Poems of Life) intended for all ages. “I feel I’ve done a lot, but need to do much more,” he reflects.
Sometimes, the proof is in the pudding—or rather, in the carefully crafted chapters that young ones hold in between their hands. For example, a few months ago, a mother shared a story about her 7-year-old child. The child was about to lie, but recalling the kernels of wisdom in the book Franklin the Helper, which reminds us to always tell the truth, the child changed her behavior. And it’s feedback like this that fuels the “why” behind both the bookstore and the business.
Besides managing the brick-and-mortar store in Plano, you will see Franklin with boots on the ground elsewhere. He speaks frequently at over 25 schools in the DFW area and has a partnership with Kroger. This enables him to travel locally, set up his book stall at various stores, and meet people face to face.
He also is partnering with Chef Adriana Williams in Houston, TX, on a book on the topic of healthy eating—yet another way to influence positive behavior and set up life-long habits in young children. “It was challenging to write a cohesive story that rhymes too. All my books rhyme because rhyming helps you remember better and helps the message to hit harder.”
The community will have another opportunity to benefit from Franklin’s work in October 2024 with the launch of a mobile bookstore. Much like an ice cream truck, the bookmobile will drive around various local neighborhoods and allow kids to have their treats and purchase books. “I prefer going out to where people are in the community rather than have people come to me.” The bookmobile will visit sporting events, libraries, farmers markets, social gatherings, etc.
The radius of impact will expand even further in the coming months as the books are being translated into Spanish and other languages to reach a global audience.
Franklin’s favorite quote from one of his books? “Just be yourself and don’t try to be like anyone else.”
For more information, visit franklinthehelper.com or call 346-278-8575.
“I feel I’ve done a lot, but need to do much more.”