FROGS SING SONGS

by Yvonne Winer & illustrated by Tony Oliver ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2003

In their fourth entry in this nature series, collaborators Winer and Oliver (Birds Build Nests, 2002, etc.) again utilize their successful format to explore the world of frogs through lyrical rhyming text and exquisitely detailed watercolor paintings. Winer’s patterned text uses five lines for each verse, conveying basic information about how, when, where, and why frogs make their distinctive sounds. A few of the rhymes are strained, but the repetitive structure and rich vocabulary will work well for reading aloud in classroom situations. Oliver’s meticulous watercolor illustrations show every wrinkle and wart, with varying perspectives that add another layer of interest. Each full-page illustration shows a different frog within its particular environment, often with the distinctive addition of another interesting creature or plant. One particularly memorable painting shows an Asian horned frog in the foreground camouflaged within brown leaves, juxtaposed against the surprising backdrop of a tiger’s striped face. Each frog is also shown in a smaller, single illustration above the verses, and these illustrations are used as the key to two final pages of more specific information about each type of frog, including their Latin names. An illustration of the frog life cycle is incorporated into the title page, and a bibliography of additional resources is appended, including both print and online sources. (Nonfiction. 5-8)

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2003

ISBN: 1-57091-548-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Charlesbridge

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2003

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS