Froggy Plays Soccer

March 1, 1999
PreS-Gr 1-This sixth installment about the lovable frog uses a favorite sport as its theme. Froggy has joined the Dream Team, coached by his father and a friend's mother. On the day they play the Wild Things for the City Cup, he dons his gear (pulling on his underwear with a "zap" and his socks with a "zoop") and heads for the field. These sound effects and the repetitive refrain, "Head it! Boot it! Knee it! Shoot it! BUT DON'T USE YOUR HANDS," will appeal to listeners of this read-aloud. The audience will understandingly blush alongside Froggy when he gets so wrapped up in the action that he forgets the chant and accidentally catches the soccer ball to prevent a goal. Remkiewicz's bright cartoon illustrations capture the characters' enjoyment of the game through their expressive faces. An amusing story sure to please Froggy fans and maybe win a few new ones.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

March 1, 1999
Ages 3^-6. In his sixth outing, Froggy (seen most recently in "Froggy's First Kiss" [1998]) is eager to help his Dream Team defeat the Wild Things and win the City Cup. Dad urges him to "Head it! / Boot it! / Knee it! / Shoot it! / BUT DON'T USE YOUR HANDS!" Predictably, Froggy can't do anything right--when he's not paying close attention, he misses an important kick; later, while he's tying his shoe, a soccer ball knocks him down; and when he catches the ball with his hands, the other team scores on a penalty kick. Luckily, after another reminder from Dad, Froggy's skills resurface, and he kicks the winning goal, redeeming himself in the eyes of the team. Remkiewicz's brightly colored artwork enhances London's humorous text, and young listeners, many of whom play soccer themselves, will identify with Froggy's frustrations. A good choice for story hours or reading aloud, this should be popular with Froggy's legion of fans. ((Reviewed March 1, 1999))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1999, American Library Association.)