  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 05/01/2018 K-Gr 3—Kelly, winner of numerous awards for her nature books for children, now introduces the amazing activities that encompass the life of a frog. This picture book uses simple, informative text and detailed illustrations to introduce the many varieties of frog species and their life cycles. ("Baby frogs called tadpoles…emerge with gills to help them breathe in water and tails to help them swim.") This incredible metamorphosis is illustrated in detail as a tadpole loses its fishy tail and gills and becomes a frog. Kelly peppers the text with unusual facts and bits of scientific trivia ("the golden poison frog is only as big as a paper clip, but the toxin it carries can kill 20,000 mice or 10 people"). Borin has perfectly captured the lives of frogs and their various habitats by creating attractive watercolor illustrations in a design that is reminiscent of an artist's sketchbook. The detailed drawings will encourage students to look closely as they discover different patterns and textures. Each picture shows a particular species, which Kelly carefully names even as she describes common behaviors. Also included is current information on frog disappearances and conservation efforts to save endangered ones. The simple text and detailed illustrations make this is a fun and informative tour through the exciting amphibian world. VERDICT Perfect for young researchers and a welcome addition to all libraries.—Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 05/15/2018 Kelly introduces this amphibious family, distinguishing between frogs and toads (a type of frog), describing their physical features, explaining what they eat (and what eats them), and offering examples of protective adaptations. Some frogs employ camouflage; others have toes that facilitate climbing, burrowing, or gliding; a few can hibernate during extremely dry or cold weather; and still others are poisonous. She also describes their life cycle, emphasizing the tremendous variety among species, and notes threats from pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change. Borin’s inviting artwork, rendered in watercolor, marker pen, and pencil, features bright colors and depicts the textures and shadings of various species, resulting in an impressionistic feel. A few illustrations portray cutaway views, with most unlabeled. The text makes good use of color (red for basic text, black for longer explanations) and is broken up into smaller sections, positioned around the art. Although back matter is sparse, and several spreads position frogs from around the world together in the same habitat, this makes an attractive addition to the amphibian shelf. - Copyright 2018 Booklist. Loading...
 |