THIS BOOK IS MINE!

The sixth book of Keres’ Finn the Frog series sees Finn squabble with his sister, who has come to visit.

Finn the Frog has become famous after starring in his own series of books. In this installment, he is excited to have his blonde, ponytailed sister Fifi come to stay... until she actually arrives. She’s a garrulous whirlwind in her pink dress and sunglasses, and before Finn knows it, Fifi has taken over his house (and story), deciding what they will eat and watch. Finn tries to be a good host, but when Fifi spills pizza cheese on his favorite chair, the two descend into an all-out sibling spat, which the reader has to break up by drawing a brick wall to separate them. Ashamed, Fifi and Finn apologize and start over. Keres relates the story entirely through dialogue, employing a black, handwritten font for Finn and louder, maroon-colored text for Fifi. While the siblings mostly converse with each other, they also address remarks directly to the reader (referred to as “kid”). Depending on the emotions being conveyed, the text appears in different sizes and slants, and not infrequently in bold. Lin’s cartoonish illustrations make astute use of blank spaces to foreground action and personality (at the story’s peak, Finn and Fifi’s argument is pure comedic theatre). Without a doubt, primary school readers will relish the tempestuous brother-sister dynamic—and perhaps even learn from it.

Dynamic and delightful…Finn is fast becoming a favorite.