Happy Friday, Everyone!
It has gotten suddenly hot where I live, like summer just decided to show up without warning!
I don’t know about you, but when we were kids, summer was a time for wading in the brook (which was always surprisingly cold even when the weather was scorching!) trying (unsuccessfully!) to catch minnows, darting along the edge of the lawn at twilight trying (slightly less unsuccessfully!) to catch fireflies, and squidging through mud at the edge of ponds trying (mostly unsuccessfully!) to catch frogs!
Today’s Perfect Picture Book is all about frogs, although I confess I don’t think I ever saw any of these beauties near any pond I ever frequented! 😊
Title: Frog Song
Written By: Brenda Z. Guiberson
Illustrated By: Gennady Spirin
Henry Holt & Co, 2013, Nonfiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: nonfiction, nature, frogs, language fun (onomatopoeia), environmental protection
Opening: “Frogs have a song for trees, bogs, burrows, and logs. When frogs have enough moisture to keep gooey eggs, squirmy tadpoles, and hoppity adults from drying out, they can sing almost anywhere. Croak! Ribbit! Bzzzt! Plonk! Brack! Thrum-rum!“
Brief Synopsis: From the jacket: “Since the time of the dinosaurs, frogs have added their ribbits and bellows to the music of the earth. Frogs are astonishing in their variety and are crucial to ecosystems from Chile to Borneo to Australia. This onomatopoeic text, accompanied by stunning illustrations, introduces young readers to these fascinating creatures.”
Links To Resources: the back of the book contains a bibliography of useful resources, a discussion of “frogs in trouble” (endangered frogs and the ecosystems they depend on), a list of online sources for frog facts, and a beautiful pictorial and informational two-page spread about frogs of the world.
Why I Like This Book: Usually I choose picture books for the story or the language. This one I chose first and foremost for the illustrations. They are absolutely beyond description – unbelievably gorgeous! But in addition, the text is poetic and beautiful, filled with fun onomatopoetic words that kids will enjoy chiming in with and repeating, and the book is full of interesting information about all kinds of frogs all over the world. A great choice for the budding herpetologist in your house or for a classroom or library.
Text copyright Brenda Z. Guiberson 2013, Illustration copyright Gennady Spirin 2013
I hope you like it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
I love that you often share older books that shouldn’t be forgotten. Thank you, Susanna. It’s gotten hot here in NH also…but I’m loving it because I’m still thawing out from the winter cold.
Our frogs had been singing out their hearts a few weeks ago, but our unseasonally cool weather seems to have caused them to still for now. Looking forward to the chorus returning soon. I love the images you shared. Hope my library has the book.
What an amazing example of the new nonfiction – lyrical and informative!
Once again thank you, Susanna, for bringing another exquisite book to our attention. Between the educational content and the captivating illustrations, this book is beautiful! And the title is spot on!
Oh, the frog songs we hear here! Just common little garden/ditch bank versions, but once they get to singing in the evenings, wow. That song is croaked out by hundreds of froggy voices. Lovely!
I love this book! what a perfect book for this time of year.
Wow! What a choice, Susanna! The realistic illustrations are so gorgeous, and when matched with this lovely text really make magic, don’t they? Great pick! This reminded me of visiting my brother and sister’s house on many acres out in the country where there was a large pond. One night we were all outside and suddenly the frogs and crickets and cicadas started singing. And then there were all these tiny, bright green frogs everywhere. Our son and one of his cousins built them a little house, but the frogs didn’t want to stay inside its walls, LOL. It was a humid, midwestern night when the sky falls down around your shoulders. I’ll have to ask him if he remembers it.
I adore frogs and toads! I can’t believe those are illustrations! They look like photos. Amazing talent!
Wow – I also thought these were photographs and not illustrations! Looks informative and fun – I love onomatopoeia! Thanks for sharing, Susanna!
I love seeing “older” books reviewed! It is hard to imagine the pictures are illustrated and not photographs. They are amazing. 🙂
A perfect book for early summer! I love listening to frog song drifting in through a window on a warm night. And what amazing illustrations. Putting this on my list to find and pore over. Thanks, as always, Susanna!