I judged this book by its cover. I saw it displayed at the library, and brought it home. Delightful!
One Frog Sang
Written by Shirley Parenteau
Illustrated by Cynthia Jabar
Candlewick 2007
Ages: 3-8
Themes: Animals, frogs, counting
Synopsis: (from Random House) On a wet spring night, one big frog sings KA-BLU-URP! Two tiny frogs sing PREEP, PREEP, three young frogs sing RIBBIT, RIBBIT, all the way up to ten frogs who trill PEEP, PEEP as a frog chorus fills the air with grunts and croaks and chirps. The night is resonant until . . . a car splashes down the street and all the frogs, from ten down to one, are hushed! Shirley Parenteau offers a joyfully cacophonous counting-up and counting-down story, vibrantly illustrated by Cynthia Jabar.
Opening: All the frogs hunkered low while spring rains stormed by. Then when the night became still…
1 One big frog leaped onto a high garden wall, sucked in air, and blew out a song: Ka-blu-urp.
2 Two tiny frogs joined in from a windowpane, shrieking, Preep, preep, in voices as loud as a crowd.
Resources: Click HERE for an online coloring page. Click HERE for a literacy guide. Scroll down a little to find all sorts of extension and literacy activities. It is an excellent guide.
Why I Like This Book: The first thing that struck me is how much kids will love this book. It’s an awesome read-aloud. It has great onomatopoeia in the form of the MOST fun frog sounds EVER! And it teaches counting. The story is so cute. I could see the whole thing…the frogs making their various sounds and then a car comes by…silence…then the frogs start up again. That’s how it happens when you hear a frog and get close…the frog gets quiet until he thinks it’s okay to sing again. And the illustrations? Let’s just put it this way…I wanted to kiss every frog in the book from cover to cover. That would’ve been over 140 frog kisses. I restrained myself and only kissed the frog on the last spread! (No he didn’t turn into a charming prince, but remained a very charming frog.)
Susanna Leonard Hill features Perfect Picture Book Friday on her blog. This is a wonderful resource if you are wondering what books to give as gifts, needing material for a lesson, or just looking for a great book to read. Here is a list of books by category. Each book listed has a link to a review, information about that book, and resources for activities. There is also an alphabetical list.
Penny, you’ve convinced me to get this book. It sounds absolutely marvellous. I’m pinning it so I don’t forget:)
Thanks for dropping by my blog with all your sweet compliments.
Take care!
Barbara
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers Blog Designs
Great! I hope that you like it as much as I do.
I love frogs! this sounds like it would be a great read aloud book the kids would love.
It is a perfect read aloud, Janet. I hope you get a chance to read it.
I sure like that cover!! I would have picked it out too! And those sounds to go along with it! yes, a good read aloud, read along — thanks for sharing this one!
Very fun reading! Sure to please :-)
Not sure if someone mentioned this but if you google around you can actually hear frog sounds from various species! Lots of fun!! Jug-a-rum is what the bullfrog says (I think!). Kids enjoy this.
This is a MUST READ for me!!! I like the cover!
Thanks for coming over, Erik! The cover is great…it really hooked me!
Looks like a fun book. Off to the library website I go.
Yea! I hope your library has it…all libraries should in my opinion :-)
Ka-blu-urp! I’m not sure I could come up with 10 frog sounds. This book sounds very inventive.
I know what you mean, Kirsten. She was very creative!
I clicked on the link for your blog and immediately began to smile. You used the word delightful. I agree, this cover is delightful. My goodness, just thinking about sharing this book with preschoolers and imagining their giggles from the ten different frog sounds is so exciting. I’m excited about this book, Penny!
By the way, there’s a twenty foot drop behind my home that houses a retention pond. And in that retention ponds are the loudest frogs you’d ever want to hear. I can’t wait for spring so I can raise my window and fall asleep to their songs. :)
You’re lucky to be able to fall asleep to frog songs! I know your preschoolers will love this book! Glad you’re excited about it, Pam!
There is something inherently charming about frogs…even if they never turn into a prince! Thanks for the recommendation, Penny!
Isn’t that the truth! I used to love catching them at our ponds when I was a little girl. It was such a challenge! I didn’t keep them…I let them go, but they’re just so darn cute. And just for the record…I didn’t kiss them either :-)
I used to live near a “frog pond” and have always had a soft spot for them. I think I will love this book and my kids will, too!
I hope they enjoy the book, Laura…I think it’s pretty much guaranteed that they will.
This sounds great, Penny! I’ll look for this one to read to my daughter.
She will love it! I think all kids would find it fun and ask for rereads!
Once again,you’ve picked a delightful book. The cover is very inviting. Love the combination of a symphony of nature’s sounds with counting. Lovely choice, Penny.
Thanks, Pat! The cover invited me to take it home! And I’m so glad I did!
Sounds abound? Putting it on hold!
Great! I think you’ll be hoppy :-)
This sounds delightful, Penny! I love all the onomatopoeia! I’m impressed that the author came up with 10 different frog sounds :) And you’ve made me think of peepers in springtime which has reminded me on this cold, raw, sleet-is-on-the-way day that spring will come :) Thanks!
Yes, spring will eventually come with all its delights…in the meantime this book will bring pages of delight to any day!
What a fun sounding book for Enzo. On one of my travels, I hear frogs that sounded like champagne bottle popping. Can’t wait to get this one.
Champagne bottle popping? That is fun! Hope Enzo loves it!
He does look very kissable, Penny and I just love al that onomatopoeia!
Me too! Kids really like onomatopoeia. I mean…just saying onomatopoeia is fun!
Cute one, Penny! I’m fascinated with author’s interpretation of creature sounds…
They fit every frog. It’s amazing :-)
Hop, hop hurray! Sounds like a fun read and the cover frog IS cute enough to smooch!
Isn’t he? He has his own special charm. Hope you get to read the book!
“Hop, hop hurray!” – Good one Ms. Mealey! ;)
Cathy is the cleverest! Such a quick wit she has!
Thank you for this book and the link to Susanna’s blog. Do you know the poem I mentioned on Laura’s blog? “Frog” by Mary Ann Hoberman? It sounds like a great match. My students love everything about “Frog”! Learn it easily, want to say it over and over, Love doing the “fast” version all together. Great curriculum connection, too.
I wasn’t familiar with that poem! But I found it on the Internet and just loved it. Thanks for telling me about it. I love Mary Hoberman anyway and have read everything our library has that she has written!
Actually I see a connection between “Frog” and some of your great poems!! I just saw your video at NWR!! So great so meet you in person. Someday I will have a blog going, hopefully soon!! Always look forward to meeting you on Thursdays! My goal is to be a regular as often as I can!!
I love Thursdays! I am saving all of my 15 word poems in a folder for inspiration and possible revision into longer works. I love seeing everyone’s “takes” on the photo Laura presents!
Speaking of blogs…do you follow David A. Harrison. You should check out this post where J. Patrick Lewis issued a challenge. It is just so much fun!
http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/8941/
I love how excited you are about this frog book, Penny. Sounds croaktastic!
What a charming sunny book and that frog on the front cover does look smoochable. Love your light, enthusiastic and endearing review Penny.
Thanks, Diane! Glad you enjoyed my review and hope you enjoy the book.