FICTION

Frog and Fly

Six Slurpy Stories
by Jeff MACK
Frog and Fly: Six Slurpy Stories. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Philomel. Mar. 2012. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25617-2. LC 2011003488.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2—Frog always seems to get the better of Fly in these scenarios. But never fear, Fly outwits him in the end. Frog manages to set Fly up for a punch line that involves Frog "slurping" him up in five funny ways. In the last scene, though, Fly manages to get Frog to stick his tongue on a "frog-slurping" bear and sees him slurped up in the end. Each of the short stories has minimal text, making this book suitable for beginning readers, but the humorous antics of Frog and Fly will be enjoyed by preschoolers as well. Bright, cartoonlike illustrations fill the pages, some of which have two panels clearly delineated by white frames, adding to the cartoon feel. This would be a fun reader's theater for storytime or classroom use.—Amy Commers, South St. Paul Public Library, MN
It's survival of the cleverest in these six short stories. Laid out in easy-to-read comic-book panels, the simple text focuses on several scenarios between a fly and the hungry frog that wants to slurp him up. Just when you think the fly is doomed every time, the frog gets his comeuppance in the final story and readers get a good laugh. Multi-media cartoons amusingly depict the conflicts.
Jeff Mack combines humor with an economy of language in bold, cartoon-panel illustrations. The simple vocabulary is perfect for beginning readers, and small artistic details, such as Fly’s wide-eyed expression every time he realizes he is about to be eaten, are fresh and funny. Readers will be satisfied that Frog finally gets his comeuppance in the last chapter. Kids may be inspired to come up with their own Frog and Fly stories.

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