PreS-K Franklin Tortoise's anxiety as he senses an approaching thunderstorm is not appeased by Fox, Hawk, or Beaver, all of whom find inclement weather rather exciting. They reassure their friend that there is nothing to worry about once they are inside a snug burrow. Franklin, nevertheless, retreats into his shell until they tell him that the noise from thunder is just cloud giants bowling and playing drums in the sky and that lightning is made by cloud giants turning their lights off and on. Owl, though, has a more scientific explanation that amazes them all. Soon the storm subsides and a rainbow appears. The simple story is accompanied by garishly bright illustrations of somewhat precious animals at play. Patricia Polacco's Thundercake (Philomel, 1990) addresses the subject with considerably more charm, but for additional material, where Franklin books are popular, this one might be an option. Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY.