The Frog Book

October 1, 2018
A prolific author/illustrator couple explores the world of frogs.Once again, Jenkins and Page prove their ability to choose interesting examples, write short, child-friendly explanations, and portray salient features of animals with deftly cut and torn paper images set on white paper. They introduce frogs as "creatures of two worlds," water and land. The next spread displays half-sized images of 10 of the more than 5,500 frog species currently identified, showing an adult human hand in comparison. In two subsequent spreads, they highlight distinguishing characteristics of frogs as well as of the subset that are called toads, and they define the three major groups of amphibians: frogs and toads, salamanders and newts, and caecilians. They show development from egg through tadpole to adult. Then come examples of remarkable behaviors, drawn from varied environments around the world. These behaviors include adaptations for attracting a mate, caring (or not caring) for eggs, habitat, diet, and defenses. Finally, in a spread on threats, they compare frogs to a "canary in a coal mine" (explaining the reference). A concluding table lists all 30 frogs shown, with body length, diet, and range and acts as an index by indicating page numbers where these frogs can be found. (Helpfully and fairly unusually, for a picture book, there are numbers on every spread.) The backmatter also includes a good list of other books for young readers as well as internet sources.Another appealing title in a long series of demonstrations of nature's wonders. (Informational picture book. 4-9)

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Gr 1-5-Arresting illustrations and informative text offer a fascinating introduction to the world of frogs. With more than 5,500 species, these amphibians can be found on every continent but Antarctica. In addition to spreads explaining the complex process of metamorphosis and a frog's basic body structure, the book includes examples of species of many colors, shapes, and sizes. The authors explore unusual ways frogs attract mates, help their offspring survive, and defend themselves from enemies, and explain where they live and what they eat. Frog eyes draw readers' gaze to the pages, the colors and patterns of the collage illustrations demanding attention. Small silhouettes help visualize the relative size of various species large and small through, for instance, an image comparing a frog to an adult's hand. As in Jenkins's acclaimed The Beetle Book, the compelling graphic design, hand-lettered text, and multiple images on oversize pages effectively present the surprising diversity of the small creatures. The book ends on a somber note about current threats of extinction to many species. A helpful chart provides data about the size, diet, and location of each frog pictured. VERDICT Eye-catching visuals and intriguing material make this overview of all things frog a first-rate choice.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University Library, Mankato

Starred review from December 15, 2018
Grades 1-4 *Starred Review* As if frogs themselves weren't sufficient draws, this picture book offers vibrant, attention-�getting illustrations that hop off pages. Dozens of these intriguing amphibians are portrayed in their amazing array of natural colors, boldly highlighted against crisp, white backgrounds. Some are rendered half life-size, others full, including a meowing night frog about the size of a ladybug and an African Goliath bullfrog that spills over the edge of its page. Each gorgeous specimen is labeled, and the accompanying text covers basic information about environments, food, mating rituals, egg to tadpole to frog metamorphosis, oddities and extremes, defense systems, and endangered and extinct statuses. A culminating chart lists the critters by their often wonderful names (the pied warty frog and crucifix toad are just a few striking examples), corresponding page number, metric body length, diet, and range. A list of sources for further information is also included. The font is on the small side and might initially frustrate beginning readers, but the awesome torn- and cut-paper collages should spark curiosity and encourage further perusal. This is an attractive addition to the frog canon, a crowd-pleasing, perpetually popular subject, from the reliably excellent team of Jenkins and Page (see the Caldecott Honor Book What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? 2003).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)