Froggy's Worst Playdate

January 15, 2013
Fans expect a flop flop flop in every Froggy adventure, but in this latest work, Froggy's emotions flip-flop more than his webbed feet ever do. Froggy wakes up, excited to start the weekend by going outside to play. But none of his friends are home. Luckily, his mom has a solution: She has set up a play date with Frogilina. Froggy's reaction? "I'M NOT GOING!" Froggy slams the door--"BLAM!"--wails on his saxophone ("SQUAAAAAAWK") and throws a ball against the wall ("thump thump thump") to release some anger. But then he realizes that he does want to see the movie, even if Frogilina has to come along. He snaps on his favorite bowtie, slaps on some of Dad's aftershave (Froggy's true feelings come out) and heads to the theater. Froggy, of course, can't sit still for an entire movie, and somehow Frogilina manages yet again to give him a great big smooch on the cheek. EEEWWW. London deals with a classic young-child dilemma--wrestling with the embarrassment of having a crush--with sympathetic humor. A post-movie visit to an ice-cream stand feels more tacked on to provide additional sound-effect opportunities than derived organically from the story, alas. Not the most smoothly transitioned of Froggy fare, but endearing nevertheless. (Picture book. 3-5)

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July 1, 2013

PreS-Gr 2-Froggy is back and his Saturday is about to take a turn that he didn't expect. When Froggy's friends are unavailable to play, Mom Frog takes things into her own hands. Much to her son's dismay, she has arranged for Dad Frog to take Froggy and Frogilina to see a movie: The Frog Prince. Froggy's flip-flopping emotions catapult him through his day as he struggles to decide if this play date with a girl really is the worst play date ever. London continues with his effective use of onomatopoeia in this new Froggy tale (Viking, 2013). Predictably, Froggy dresses himself with "zip! zoop! zut!" In addition, repetition and personification offer teachers abundant fodder for writing lessons. Narrator John McDonough's musicality enhances the tale's humor with his creative use of pauses and pitch. His raspy voice perfectly suits the characters. Frank Remkiewicz's colorful cartoon illustrations add to the fun. An ideal blending of London's personification and McDonough's characterization.-Terri Perper, Middletown Public Library, MD

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