FROG FACE

Frog’s good mood is spoiled when the other animals misinterpret her expression.

Cozy and alone in her underground home, Frog is completely at ease. Readers would be forgiven for assuming she’s feeling blue, though, based on her dour expression. “The thing was,” an omniscient narrator explains, “Frog just had a frowny face. It’d been that way since she was an itty, bitty little egg.” On this morning, an empty cabinet sends Frog out on a search for snacks. As usual, the friendly animals she passes pepper her with questions (“Why the long face?”), advice (“You should be smiling”), and offers of hugs, and before long, her wonderful mood turns foul. Will anyone see beyond Frog’s frown? Children will enjoy the cast of expressive but utterly unaware African animals—each of whom thinks their comment is helpful—and may pick up on some important food for thought: Commentary on others’ appearances isn't always welcome, and our outward countenances often conceal complex inner landscapes. Russo’s witty illustrations emphasize every emotion through details such as shifts in weather, dramatic facial expressions (Frog’s may not change, but the other animals’ sure do), and movement tumbling across spreads. Best of all, Frog does indeed meet a friend who thinks she’s perfect, resting frog face and all.

A hilarious and heartfelt invitation to celebrate ourselves as we are, outside and in.