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Forget the birds and the bees--frog spawn is where it's at! When a little girl and her mother read a story about a frog that grows bigger and bigger and bigger, they decide to watch some real frogs growing. Armed with a bucket, they head to a nearby pond and scoop up some of the "gray jelly stuff" floating on top. ("Yuck!" the girl says.) Over the next week or so, the spawn, now in a fish tank at home, develop into tadpoles, and then frogs. When the frogs start hopping onto stones so they can breathe air, it's time to return them to the pond. Vivian French's simple, amusing text (in a handprinted-style typeface) infuses life, humor, and plenty of personality into this environmentally sound, scientifically accurate introduction to frog metamorphosis. The girl's view of her evolving friends ("There were feathery things on their heads, and I could see their eyes") blends seamlessly with the explanatory text ("The feathery things are called gills, and they're what underwater animals use for breathing"). Illustrated by the talented Alison Bartlett, this terrifically appealing picture book features color-drenched double-page spreads with big, childlike, anatomically correct paintings. French and Bartlett have written and illustrated many well-loved books for children, including several other vibrant team efforts, including Oliver's Fruit Salad and Oliver's Vegetables. Frog lovers, rejoice! (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter |
