The Secret of the Stone Frog

Gr 2-4–Leah and her younger brother, Alan, awake to find their beds relocated to the middle of a lush forest. They soon come across a stone frog that guides them toward their home. It’s not easy. Their long, strange trip is full of bees, fanciful lions, and a subway ride with dressed-up sea life–all presented in out-of-whack proportions. After they make a narrow escape when an entire town–buildings, streets, and all–comes alive, the story ends with our hero and heroine back in their beds as a new day begins. The Alice in Wonderland comparisons are clear, as the children encounter unusual characters and bizarre situations in their travels. It’s a world long on enchantment but rather short on plot. The black-and-white pen-and-ink illustrations are astounding in their intricacy. Tiny pen strokes amass to create rich landscapes and characters. The plot may come second, but the journey here is the whole point. A surprising, and visually stunning, trip. Travis Jonker