  | Pros & cons of being a frog Author: DeGennaro, Sue | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
A shy boy becomes friends with an unusual girl after she suggests that he dress as a frog, but his frustration when they work on his costume chases her away.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 2.70 Points: .5 Quiz: 186834 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (05/15/16)
School Library Journal (07/01/16)
Booklist (08/01/16)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 07/01/2016 K-Gr 2—Camille REALLY loves math. Some days she speaks only in numbers (23 is yes, and 17 is no), and she sings the times tables when she is hungry. Her best friend, while not so math obsessed, is equally unique and wears an animal costume all day at school. When Camille notices that he is being plagued by a rambunctious puppy, because he is currently donning a cat costume, she persuades him to choose another animal. After some false starts with a shark and a giraffe, they hit upon the frog as the perfect costume. Of course, frogs are not solitary creatures, so Camille must dress as one, too. With all the measuring and sewing, a fight ensues, but all is quickly resolved for a happy ending. Originally published in Australia, this is award-winning illustrator deGennaro's first book that she also penned. Set against a soothing beige backdrop, the illustrations are rendered in collage, Conte crayon, and pencil and ink. They are detailed yet playful and invite readers to linger over each page. Marvelous images of numbers and graphs are peppered throughout, and the sketches of frogs beg to be closely examined. VERDICT The book has a familiar theme, but it is the illustrations that make it special. Hand it to kids and families who gravitate to picture books with intricate and fascinating images.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 08/01/2016 In this playful, multilayered story about friendship, a boy who likes to dress up as animals meets a girl who loves numbers. When our narrator first meets Camille, he’s dressed as a cat and is being chased by a dog (“It was more attention than I wanted”). Camille, who “loves math so much that some days she only talks in numbers,” suggests he try a new animal, and the two forge a friendship as they try to make a perfect frog costume. When the frustrations of the task lead to a spat, the boy drafts an apology via a list of the pros and cons of being a frog. The collage illustrations are detailed and whimsical. Math-loving Camille is often depicted against a backdrop of graphs and numbers. “I’ve worked out that 23 is yes and 17 is no,” says the boy, and when the two fight, Camille storms off the page, a cluster of 17s floating along behind her. Lively, visually appealing, and an ultimately affirming tale of friendship. - Copyright 2016 Booklist.
