Growing Frogs
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Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA -- School Library Journal, 5/1/2008
Growing Frogs. video or DVD. 10 min. with tchr’s. guide. Nutmeg Media. 2007. video: ISBN 1-933938-47-1, DVD: ISBN 1-933938-38-2. $49.95.
K-Gr 3–The croaking of frogs is one of the great sounds of warmer weather, but environmental concerns threaten the loss of that chorus. Vivian French introduces young readers to a frog’s life cycle through her delightful picture book (Candlewick, 2000). A young girl and her mother gather a little frog spawn, set up an aquarium, and then watch the various stages from tadpole to frog develop before releasing the frogs into the pond. Each stage is well documented in child-friendly, descriptive text and beautifully illustrated by Alison Bartlett in cheerful colors. The text is read in a bright, expressive voice with original background music and a few sound effects. The book’s illustrations are scanned iconographically. Information is included on growing your own frogs, urging young readers to take spawn only from man-made ponds. A “Did You Know?” section provides additional information about frogs. This program will help to acquaint children with frogs and might inspire them to work to preserve them. A valuable addition to class units.
