FOO, THE FLYING FROG OF WASHTUB POND

Foo Frog, Sue-Lin Salamander and Mao-Mao Mudpuppy share a special web-footed friendship. They were born on exactly the same spot on the banks of Washtub Pond, at exactly the same time and exactly the same size. But all too soon, everything begins to change. Foo Frog grows bigger. Along with his tummy, his head grows too. Just like Aesop’s age-old arrogant frog, Foo boasts proudly, “I must be the biggest animal in the whole wide world!” He puffs himself up to prove it. But is he? The rumbling Kuong! Kuong! Kuong! of the elephant’s footsteps tell otherwise. Bold swirls of wind and buoyant brush strokes effortlessly lift Foo into the air, sending him soaring over the pond. Yang’s bright, folk-art–style gouache illustrations and animated sound effects enliven this fable. Young readers will delight in spotting other tiny, whimsical characters along the journey—especially Washtub Pond’s keenly observant snail. Luckily for Foo, this story ends in sweet lessons of friendship and humility, not a fatal burst. (Picture book. 4-8)