FROG GIRL

Based on the traditions of the Northwest Pacific native people, this engrossing tale warns of the consequences of man manipulating nature. When a young girl travels magically to the underworld of the frogs, she is warned by ``Grandmother'' that an impending volcano is the consequence of the girl's people stealing frogs from the lake. The girl returns, in the nick of time, to rescue her people from the lava and discovers the frogs that boys in her village have stolen. When she sets them free, Grandmother is appeased, and rain squelches the volcano's fire. The illustrations set the tone of this book: Deep greens, rich maroons, and dark grays, along with the looming faces of the totems, create a seriousness and a sense of foreboding. An afterword provides information about the folklore on which the story is based, and mythic motives within the tale. It's exquisite and resonant. (Picture book. 4-10)