FROG MEETS DOG

An early reader for the earliest of readers.

Trasler’s cartoon illustrations heighten the humor of her spare text, which has ample rhymes and assonance to support new decoders. While the title indicates just one frog, readers see that a trio of frogs (each evidently named Frog) is leery when Dog arrives on the scene, eager to play. Dog tries to befriend them, saying, “Hi. / Hi. / Hi,” to each one in turn in speech-balloon text. The illustrations show amphibious rebuffs, and then Dog, defeated, says, “SIGH.” The intrepid pup then tries to “Hop / Hop / Hop” like the frogs, but the result is a “FLOP.” An attempt to emulate the frogs as they “Leap / Leap / Leap” ends with a plunge into a “DEEP” pond. An effort to “Jump / Jump / Jump” results in a “THUMP” on a paper-wasp nest. “Go. / Go. / Go,” say the newly stung frogs. “Oh,” says Dog, slinking off, also bearing signs of several wasp stings. Frog, Frog, and Frog soon rue their words, however, when Bear arrives—whereupon Dog saves them by hurling the paper-wasp nest at Bear. “Ow! / Ow! / Ow!” yells Bear. “WOW!” say the frogs, who now welcome Dog to play with them and help their canine rescuer find success in keeping up with them. Step-by-step backmatter drawing instructions invite readers to draw the frogs, inviting an added layer of engagement with the book.

Reader, meet Frogs and Dog—you won’t be sorry.