THIS BOOK IS ON FIRE!

An amphibian chef serves up fancy pond fusion cuisine in Keres’ picture book.

Finn the Frog has his work cut out for him cooking a meal for a special guest. As self-professed “King of the Kitchen,” Finn’s excited to share some favorite recipes, each specific to a different culture. For each, he dresses in attire that corresponds to the dish’s region. He also reveals the sources of some surprising secret ingredients, including swamp mud and pond water—and expresses surprise that his human guest doesn’t like them. Keres paints Finn as an unflappable character who ultimately has a positive attitude, despite his efforts not turning out as expected. Lin’s illustrations capture Finn’s various excitable expressions. He also has Finn speak directly to the reader as his dinner guest, which effectively enlivens the story; one never sees the guest fully, but the person's reactions—such as a satisfying, loud belch—bring the character to life. Young readers can easily imagine themselves as Finn’s guest and decide which dish they would eat. It’s a safe bet that some might share the same attitude as Finn’s guest; adult caregivers of picky eaters will surely relate to the frog’s situation.

An appealing tale of an inspired amphibian chef.