Perfect Picture Book Friday-One Frog Sang

Posted on by Penny Parker Klostermann

I judged this book by its cover. I saw it displayed at the library, and brought it home. Delightful!

one frog san

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.

45 thoughts on “Perfect Picture Book Friday-One Frog Sang”

  4. 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.

    Like

  8. 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!

    Like

    1. 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. 🙂

      Like

  9. There is something inherently charming about frogs…even if they never turn into a prince! Thanks for the recommendation, Penny!

    Like

    1. 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 🙂

      Like

  10. 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!

    Like

  14. 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!

    Like

  15. 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.

    Like

  19. 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.

    Like

    1. 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!

      Like

      1. 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!!

        Like

Comments are closed.