Froggy's Worst Playdate

PreS-Gr 2—Froggy is back and his Saturday is about to take a turn that he didn't expect. When Froggy's friends are unavailable to play, Mom Frog takes things into her own hands. Much to her son's dismay, she has arranged for Dad Frog to take Froggy and Frogilina to see a movie: The Frog Prince. Froggy's flip-flopping emotions catapult him through his day as he struggles to decide if this play date with a girl really is the worst play date ever. London continues with his effective use of onomatopoeia in this new Froggy tale (Viking, 2013). Predictably, Froggy dresses himself with "zip! zoop! zut!" In addition, repetition and personification offer teachers abundant fodder for writing lessons. Narrator John McDonough's musicality enhances the tale's humor with his creative use of pauses and pitch. His raspy voice perfectly suits the characters. Frank Remkiewicz's colorful cartoon illustrations add to the fun. An ideal blending of London's personification and McDonough's characterization.—Terri Perper, Middletown Public Library, MD