Review: Peter the Easter Frog by Erin Dealey

 Oh, wow! Easter weekend is already here. This year is flying by already, but isn't that always the case? Still, there's no way I can let the season go by without a fitting read. Today's review takes a humorous twist. When I heard the title on this one, I couldn't help but smile and thought, maybe, it will have you smiling, too.

Take a hop along with me and let's see what this one holds.

PETER THE EASTER FROG

by Erin Dealey

Illustrated by G. Brian Karas

Atheneum Books

Picture Book Holiday

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

In this hilarious picture book, a group of basket-bearing, egg-delivering animal friends give the Easter Bunny a run for his money—led by Peter Easter Frog!

Here comes Peter Easter Frog, hopping down his favorite log. Hippity, hoppity, Easter’s on its—wait. Easter FROG?

Peter Easter Frog loves, loves, LOVES Easter, and sharing is caring, AND he’s just as good a hopper as any ol’ rabbit, so he decides to pass out some of his own Easter eggs. Why should Bunny have all the fun, anyway? Turtle, Cow, Dog, and Chipmunk all agree. But what happens when the Easter Bunny finds out?

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BOOK BLINK

                                     * hops along the song 'Here Comes Peter Cottontail'

                                     * short, direct text

                                     * humorous while packing a good message

                                     * silly phrases thrown in

MY TIDBITS

The idea of a frog playing Easter Bunny makes a hippity-hoppity, wonderful adventure.

Peter has decided that the Easter Bunny isn't the only one who should have fun delivering eggs. So, off he goes with his own basket. One by one, he meets various animals, and each one is more than a bit curious about his Easter egg-citement. But his enthusiasm is catchy, and soon he might not be the only one playing Easter Bunny. But what happens when the real bunny shows up?

Light-hearted fun is what drives this one forward. Peter is a very enthusiastic frog, and it's impossible not to wish him well on his new venture while secretly wanting to jump into those pages and join him. And he's right...why should the Easter Bunny have all the fun? Fun definitely flies high as he not only crosses the path of several animals (great for animal fans), but humor pricks and pokes in the most delightful ways as he continues his journey and mission. 

The author incorporates huge hints at the song, Here Comes Peter Cottontail. While listeners don't necessarily need to be familiar with it before reading this, it definitely makes it more fun if they...or the reader...does. But it's still fun for those who don't. The text is kept short, making it great for even younger listeners, and the humor bounces along with the promise of more than just a couple of smiles. It's simply a fun, cute read. And it does pack a great message at the end without becoming preachy in any way.

The illustrations dance along right with the text. These are kept more bordered in and hold detail without overtaking the entire page. They hit exactly where needed and perfectly swing in, letting the tale unfold. They are definitely also great for young listeners to grab up on their own and experience the tale through flipping the pages. 

It makes a great read-aloud and is sure to add tons of humor as well as bring Easter joy.

And here they are...

The Author...

Erin Dealey is a children’s book author of many genres, from board books to YA. She grew up in Oakland, California, and lasted one full day as an employee at a Pineapple Factory in Hawaii. Visit her at ErinDealey.com.

The Illustrator...

G. Brian Karas has illustrated many children’s books, including Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! And Tippy-Tippy-Tippy, Hide! by Candace Fleming; Incredible Me by Kathi Appelt; the High-Rise Private Eyes series by Cynthia Rylant; and Ivan by Catherine Applegate, which was a New York Times bestseller. His books have been named ALA Notables, Booklist Editor Choices, SLJ Best Books, and Boston Globe Horn Book Honor books. He lives in upstate New York. Visit him online at GBrianKaras.com.