"The Hatmaker's Sign" by Candace Fleming was about Thomas Jefferson writing the Declaration of Independence. He thought it was the best thing he had ever written. When it went before the Continental Congress, they argued over his writing and we very unsure of it. He became mad and flustered. That's when Benjamin Franklin came along and told a story about John Thompson. That story enlightened Thomas Jefferson and made things easier to cope with. Meeting before the Continental Congress again to decide what they were going to do, they decided they liked it and were going to continue on with it. This book differs from the other book, because this book merely talked about Thomas Jefferson writing the Declaration of Independence, and his feelings of intimidation and frustration of it. ( )

46 months - A nice story with a good moral about not being able to make everyone happy. ( )

Summary:
This picture book tells a tale Benjamin Franklin shared with Thomas Jefferson to ease Jefferson’s hurt feelings after the Continental Congress edited his writing of the Declaration of Independence. The story describes a hat maker who couldn’t get his shop sign right because everyone kept giving him their opinion.
Instructional Use:
Could use to teach leads, to see how stories are retold, how writing can be sequenced and transitioned, or show details that teach content. Could also have the students write an author note for the story. Repetition of phrases. Grades 5-6 ( )

This picture book recounts a tale Benjamin Franklin shared with Thomas Jefferson to ease Jefferson’s hurt feelings after the Continental Congress edited his writing of the Declaration of Independence. The tale tells of a hat maker who just couldn’t get his shop sign right because everyone had an opinion to offer. ( )

A hatmaker designs a sign for his shop that he thinks would be perfect for his store window, but along the way, people tell him that he should change this and that until his sign is just a blank piece of paper. He eventually goes back to his initial sign. This book shows that sometimes your first idea is the best idea and that people will have criticisms along the way. If you are happy with your work, you don't have to take peoples' suggestions. Take pride in the work you have done. ( )