JUST A FROG

On this farm, there’s a place for everyone.

As the rooster crows, pink-skinned young Sophie awakens and begins feeding her loquacious menagerie, each of whom contributes to farm life in a different way (the cow provides fresh milk, the hens lay eggs, and so forth). Her chores complete, Sophie lies down on a blanket with a book, ready to relax amid the upbeat sounds of her animal pals. But the croaking of the frog irritates her; frustrated, she screams, “YOU’RE NOT NEEDED HERE!” Dejected, the frog hops away, and soon the farm falls into disarray. Mosquitoes—usually kept in check by the frog—bother the chickens, who refuse to lay eggs. The dog won’t herd the sheep, who eat all the veggies. And with no vegetables, the cow won’t give milk. Realizing her mistake, Sophie apologizes to the frog, and soon order is restored. Gently introducing readers to the subject of natural ecosystems—and the idea that even those who seem unimportant have much to contribute—Ścibek’s text scans well, featuring an abundance of onomatopoeia, while her digitally colored pen-and-ink illustrations rely on hyperexpressive faces and dramatic layouts to humorous effect; the tranquil scenes before the frog’s departure feature plenty of white space, while later spreads are cramped and chaotic.

A playful tale with a sound message: Every member of the community has a role to play.