Plot Summary
While little frog, with his hands on his hips in determined stubbornness, proclaims that he no longer wants to be a frog, Daddy frog handles the news with the unperturbed control of a father who has been here before. As the petulant amphibian explores possible identities that he might adopt, Dad is there to remind him of who he truly is. explores with hilarity the drawbacks and benefits of being yourself.
Personal Reaction
I adore the father's stoic reaction to each new, ridiculous suggestion that little frog throws out. I can picture Dad's eyes rolling at each proclamation.
Memorable Literary Element
Petty does the entire book in dialogue, large, colorful, easy-to-read words in over-sized speech bubbles. This is a perfect starting place for emergent and pre-emergent readers.
Illustrations
Illustrations are simple, yet bold and full of expression. While little frog, with his hands on his hips in determined stubbornness, proclaims that he doesn't want to be a frog anymore, Daddy frog handles the news with the unperturbed control of a father who has been here before.
While little frog, with his hands on his hips in determined stubbornness, proclaims that he no longer wants to be a frog, Daddy frog handles the news with the unperturbed control of a father who has been here before. As the petulant amphibian explores possible identities that he might adopt, Dad is there to remind him of who he truly is. explores with hilarity the drawbacks and benefits of being yourself.
Personal Reaction
I adore the father's stoic reaction to each new, ridiculous suggestion that little frog throws out. I can picture Dad's eyes rolling at each proclamation.
Memorable Literary Element
Petty does the entire book in dialogue, large, colorful, easy-to-read words in over-sized speech bubbles. This is a perfect starting place for emergent and pre-emergent readers.
Illustrations
Illustrations are simple, yet bold and full of expression. While little frog, with his hands on his hips in determined stubbornness, proclaims that he doesn't want to be a frog anymore, Daddy frog handles the news with the unperturbed control of a father who has been here before.
Reviews/Awards
* "First-time author Petty’s dialogue between a frog father and his son makes its point about accepting one’s nature with a big grin....The story might create similar gratitude in the minds of readers—or it might just make them giggle."--Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
Fans of Mo Willems’s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and Jon Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back will love meeting this willful young frog with a serious identity crisis. Frog wants to be anything but a slimy, wet frog. A cat, perhaps. Or a rabbit. An owl? But when a hungry wolf arrives—a wolf who HATES eating frogs—our hero decides that maybe being himself isn’t so bad after all. In this very silly story with a sly message, told in hilarious dialogue between a feisty young frog and his heard-it-all-before father, young readers will identify with little Frog’s desire to be something different, while laughing along at his stubborn yet endearing schemes to prove himself right.
“…a paean to self-acceptance wrapped in snappy dialogue and illustrated with richly colored comic paintings by Mike Boldt.”--Wall Street Journal
"A lively look at self-acceptance."--Kirkus Reviews
"This amusing story ends with a laugh and a much more content frog."--School Library Journal
"Silliness and deadpan humor combine into a hopping good story of being happy with who you are."--Booklist
"Petty and Boldt provide just enough predictability to hook youngest readers, then deliver a delightful twist or two to create surprise and satisfaction—for both the green hero and the many fans he'll make with this book."--Shelf Awareness
"...this lighthearted exploration of identity will delight as a readaloud."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
* "First-time author Petty’s dialogue between a frog father and his son makes its point about accepting one’s nature with a big grin....The story might create similar gratitude in the minds of readers—or it might just make them giggle."--Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
Fans of Mo Willems’s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and Jon Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back will love meeting this willful young frog with a serious identity crisis. Frog wants to be anything but a slimy, wet frog. A cat, perhaps. Or a rabbit. An owl? But when a hungry wolf arrives—a wolf who HATES eating frogs—our hero decides that maybe being himself isn’t so bad after all. In this very silly story with a sly message, told in hilarious dialogue between a feisty young frog and his heard-it-all-before father, young readers will identify with little Frog’s desire to be something different, while laughing along at his stubborn yet endearing schemes to prove himself right.
“…a paean to self-acceptance wrapped in snappy dialogue and illustrated with richly colored comic paintings by Mike Boldt.”--Wall Street Journal
"A lively look at self-acceptance."--Kirkus Reviews
"This amusing story ends with a laugh and a much more content frog."--School Library Journal
"Silliness and deadpan humor combine into a hopping good story of being happy with who you are."--Booklist
"Petty and Boldt provide just enough predictability to hook youngest readers, then deliver a delightful twist or two to create surprise and satisfaction—for both the green hero and the many fans he'll make with this book."--Shelf Awareness
"...this lighthearted exploration of identity will delight as a readaloud."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Promotion Idea
This book would be an excellent springboard for a lesson about being yourself. You could also pair this book with The Mixed-Up Chameleon (Carle, 1975) or the humorous pop-up book The Wide-Mouthed Frog (Faulkner, 1996). Using humor to discuss an important subject often lightens the mood and allows for serious discussion. Ideas for incorporating humor into class lessons can be found here.
Self-acceptance lesson plan here.
A good video on self-acceptance for middle school aged students can be found here.
A science connection can also be made with a study of amphibians and ecosystems. The Rio Grande Community Farm offers several ideas for integration in all grade levels. That information can be found here.
This book would be an excellent springboard for a lesson about being yourself. You could also pair this book with The Mixed-Up Chameleon (Carle, 1975) or the humorous pop-up book The Wide-Mouthed Frog (Faulkner, 1996). Using humor to discuss an important subject often lightens the mood and allows for serious discussion. Ideas for incorporating humor into class lessons can be found here.
Self-acceptance lesson plan here.
A good video on self-acceptance for middle school aged students can be found here.
A science connection can also be made with a study of amphibians and ecosystems. The Rio Grande Community Farm offers several ideas for integration in all grade levels. That information can be found here.