A 2010 California Young reader Nominee, A Frog Thing by Eric Drachman is the sweetest tale of a frog named Frank who wasn’t satisfied just doing ordinary frog things. He wanted to fly, but he was a frog and frogs can’t fly.
Follow along as Frank jumps and runs and leaps and dives until he finally finds his place in the pond.
When Frank rescues a baby bird that falls into the pond, its mother is so grateful and admiring of Frank’s swimming skills that she takes him for the ride of his life. Frank clings to a twig as the bird and one of her friends lift it and him into the air to glide, swoop, and dive high above his pond.
“When their flight was finished, the mother bird pulled Frank close. ‘You are a very special frog,’ she said, and with a whoosh of her wings, flew back to her nest.”
The companion CD will transport listeners into Frank’s world with sound effects and wonderful performances by children and adults, while the delicate illustrations by James Muscarello, rendered in gouache, colored pencil, and pastels show a frog in motion with dreamy accuracy.
I really appreciated the message found in this children’s book of capturing the balance between shooting for your dreams, while at the same time understanding your gifts and limitations.
“Frank had wanted to fly. But he was a frog. And frogs can’t fly… But they sure can swim!”This stands as my favorite of author Drachman’s books and should be enjoyed by the children in your life. Appropriate for ages preschool on up to second grade.
GENRE: Picture Book
Link here for Classroom Resources Enjoy Reader’s Theater script for A Frog Thing here
