New York: Holiday House, 2018
The beautiful watercolor and pen illustrations are the highest of the numerous highlights in this book about frogs. They show many species of the world’s frogs, inside and out, along with what frogs eat, what eats them, how they reproduce, where they live, and how they protect themselves. Kelly includes straightforward facts that elementary students will love; for instance, the golden poison frog is only as big as a paper clip but carries enough toxin to kill 10 people.
The last double page spread addresses dangers that threaten the survival of many frog species, and the narrative wraps up with a hopeful message of conservation. On the index page, there are suggestions for those who would like to help save frogs that include helping keep wetlands trash-free and not eating frog legs. And April 28th is Save the Frogs Day when schools host educational frog activities. Fun!
A Frog’s Life is a fine example of nonfiction for early elementary students. They can explore this book on their own or have the more detailed text read to them. A must-have addition to any elementary collection.
Dewey: 597.8 Interest Level: K-3
Reviews and Awards: Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal starred.
Older readers might like: Amphibian by Barry Clark from DK Eyewitness Books
Young Adults might like: Reptiles and Amphibians from the Facts at Your Fingertips: Endangered Animals series from Brown Bear Books.
Fiction pairing: A Hippy-Hoppy Toad by Peggy Archer.
On the Web:
Frog Conservation Project kid page has educational coloring pages and, for those that are looking for a more ambitious project, there are also instructions for creating a simple pond. http://frog.cienega.org/home/problem-ponds/building-a-native-pond
Frogs: The Thin Green Line from PBS explores frogs and suggests ways to help them survive.