TADPOLE TO FROG

Little ones can see a tadpole become a frog in this lift-the-flap board book.

Full-page photographs depict the life cycle of a frog. Starting with a photograph of a male and a female frog mating, budding herpetologists can follow as the resulting eggs hatch and tadpoles emerge. Then, in a series of side-by-side flaps of increasing size, readers can see the gradual changes the tadpole undergoes on its way to becoming a frog. On the backside of each flap the text informs readers what the changes are: “Soon, tiny legs start to sprout… / and the tadpole’s tail begins to shrink.” Finally the metamorphosis is complete; after two years the frog is an adult, and it “hop, hop, hops away!” The white text against a purple background is easily read, and it is likewise simply stated yet accurate. The photographs are clear and eye-catching. The last spread introduces the Curator-in-Charge in the Department of Herpetology at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, perhaps inspiring future career choices.

No frills and to the point yet a nice addition to the young naturalist’s bookshelf.