Book Summary

Ever wonder what frogs do at night? This book has the answer! Frogs are shown being lifted from their normal boring lives in a pond on lilypads, only to be transported to fantastical places. They enjoy scaring the pants off of a late-night snacker, stealing the remote from an old lady watching TV, racing a dog, and wearing someone's laundry like a cape! When they return to the pond, the other frogs are jealous. They wish they could go on an adventure too! The pigs get their turn the following Tuesday.

Content

This book is intended for ages 2-6. It would also make for a fun cause-and-effect lesson for students in grades 1-3. The points of view are not as complex as some of his other books.  This book appeals to a wide range and diversity of cultures because the only background knowledge needed involves frogs and how police detectives conduct an investigation.

Illustrations

The pictures are important. Without them, the book would not exist! The pictures help extend the story by adding to the humor of the situation. The expressions on the frogs' faces are priceless and give the reader an understanding of how much fun the frogs are having on their adventure. The illustrations also convey how jealous and put out the frogs that were left behind are.

Format

The text in this book is very limited. It is only used to describe the time frame during which the events occurred. Some of the pages depict several phases of action by cutting up the page into comic-book-like windows.

Overall Evaluation

Overall, I do love the imagination that went into this book, but I love Flotsam so much more than this book. It is a great addition to the classroom library for pre-readers, who may engage in story-telling without knowing how to read a single word. It also encourages students to read other David Wiesner books. I would say the moral is that you never fully live until you leave home, wherever that may be for you.

For Future Professionals to Use With Children

This book could be used to help teach cause and effect or the sequencing of events.