FROGGY FOR PRESIDENT!

The irrepressible Froggy runs for class president.

Froggy, seeing a poster at school for the class-president election, decides to run. When his teacher, Ms. Witherspoon, asks him what his platform is, he—in the silly humor readers have come to expect from Froggy—hops onto his desk and says, “This is!” After Ms. Witherspoon offers clarification, Froggy aims for more recess and snacks. Meanwhile, Frogilina also decides to run for class president, and her well-thought-out platform addresses issues of a more socially conscious nature. The familiar shticks of Froggy forgetting to put his clothes on, first seen in Froggy Gets Dressed (1992), and Froggy’s mother yelling “Frrooggyy”—seen in nearly all 29 previous Froggy books—are on display here, as is, of course, frequent onomatopoeia as Froggy makes his way through the day. They don’t feel worn, however—they feel like comfortable old friends. Remkiewicz’s brightly colored illustrations make excellent use of a variety of presentations—spots, full-page bleeds, and double-page spreads—and the lively cast of characters that inhabits Froggy-world does double duty as supporting characters and as visual segues to page turns. Other than a final endpaper showing Froggy and Frogilina holding a “Vote” sign, the empowerment aspect of voting isn’t addressed; rather, the story hints at the importance of wise platforms and endorses the idea of working together.

A lighter take on elections that’s full of Froggy favorites.