JIMMY, THE PICKPOCKET OF THE PALACE

In this sequel to the charming Prince of the Pond (1992), Jimmy, frog-son of the frog prince, must save the pond from the evil Hag, who is working on a spell to dry it up so she can find her lost magic ring. In the process, Jimmy finds himself turned into a human boy, a condition not at all to his liking. He is put to work in the palace, alternately aided and hindered by the tempestuous princess Sally. There he meets the fascinating prince; he is sympathetic, seems to know an awful lot about frogs, and may know something about Jimmy's missing father. Told in the first person by Jimmy, this enchanting story has a gentle, offbeat humor, much of which stems from Jimmy's retention of froggy characteristics while he is a boy. It also lends the proceedings an ineffable sweetness perfectly complemented by Schachner's b&w illustrations. With enough action, suspense, and humor for younger readers, this successful successor is certain to satisfy old fans and win new friends for the frog prince and his brood. (Fiction. 7-10)