FROGGIE WENT-A-COURTIN’

In this endearing adaptation of a traditional Scottish folk song, Froggie searches the small animal kingdom for his wife. He must first suffer rejection from a mouse, turtle, bird, and chipmunk before ultimately discovering true love in a fellow frog, who does the asking. Watercolor illustrations, ripe with rich pastels, portray an often downcast and then elated Froggie. These appealing illustrations aid in following the quickly changing mood as Froggie’s hopes soar and are dashed. Trapani (What Am I? An Animal Guessing Game, not reviewed) includes clever details in the illustrations such as Froggie reading “How to Find True Love” by “I. M. Mushy” or his daily horoscope in the “Frog Journal.” Despite the subtle inclusion of these mature jokes, the story is best read (or sung) aloud to small children; included on the last page is the text put to music. Trapani differentiates this work from other retellings of Froggie by using modern American verbiage. The flow of text is just right, with each rhyming verse occupying its own page and completing a new plot twist. This is a highly enjoyable composite of visually pleasing illustrations and light, catchy text. (Picture book. 2-7)