Beware of the Frog

Gr 1—4—A sweet little old lady lives in a house in the woods. Her only protection? The sign says it all—"Beware of Frog." When the timid lady's house is approached by a greedy goblin looking to steal things, he's promptly consumed by the guard frog. A smelly troll and a giant hunger ogre arrive and encounter the same fate. The old lady is thrilled. Now she can live in peace and safety. When she grants the frog's wish for a kiss, things don't turn out at all as you would expect. This is a humorous cumulative tale by William Bee (Candlewick, 2008) featuring rhyming villains and a surprise ending that will set children and adults giggling. Bee's computer-edited illustrations are intricate and whimsical, with lots of hidden details. In a conversation with the author, Bee explains how he got the idea for the story and how it evolved over time. He also reveals that a snail is hidden on each page, which is sure to send children scrambling for the book. This delightful production could easily start children writing their own tales about other unusual guard animals.-—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA