The second I saw the two frogs on the cover and the lovely cattails, I knew I had to read this book. Telling by the title, it's going to involve some stubborn attitudes and arguments, but I'm willing to bet this is handled wonderfully and even with a spice of humor. That also means that there will be a great message at the end, and the blurb does mention it hits upon friendship.
So off we go to see how much this frogs splash!
(Note: This was so cute and fun! I'm going to slide it onto my possible Favorites of 2024 list just because I found the weaving between text and illustrations so well thought out.)
THIS ROCK IS MINE!
by Kaye Umansky
Illustrated by Alice McKinley
Alison Green Books
Picture Book
35 pages
ages 4 to 8
Friendship wins the day in this fabulously funny quarrel! Two frogs sit on an ordinary little rock. But . . . uh-oh! Both frogs think it's their rock - and they really don't want to share!
The frogs fight and squabble furiously. But when a hungry heron swoops down, both frogs realise it's time to find another rock . . . together!
Kaye Umansky's brilliantly simple rhyming story shows how two grumpy frogs go from fighting . . . to friendship (with lots of laughter along the way.)
Alice McKinley's hilarious illustrations bring to life every twist and turn of this wonderfully witty little drama.
Written in absolutely perfect rhyme, this story is a joy to read aloud. Every parent and child will identify with these squabbling frogs. An excellent (and very funny) lesson in how to resolve a quarrel! Kaye Umansky is one of the UK's best-loved children's authors. She is a brilliant comic writer, and is the award-winning creator of the bestselling Pongwiffy fiction series. Her superb rhyming picture books have echoes of Dr Seuss.
Alice McKinley's illustrations are full of warmth and humour, and packed with clever details to spot.
The frogs fight and squabble furiously. But when a hungry heron swoops down, both frogs realise it's time to find another rock . . . together!
Kaye Umansky's brilliantly simple rhyming story shows how two grumpy frogs go from fighting . . . to friendship (with lots of laughter along the way.)
Alice McKinley's hilarious illustrations bring to life every twist and turn of this wonderfully witty little drama.
Written in absolutely perfect rhyme, this story is a joy to read aloud. Every parent and child will identify with these squabbling frogs. An excellent (and very funny) lesson in how to resolve a quarrel! Kaye Umansky is one of the UK's best-loved children's authors. She is a brilliant comic writer, and is the award-winning creator of the bestselling Pongwiffy fiction series. Her superb rhyming picture books have echoes of Dr Seuss.
Alice McKinley's illustrations are full of warmth and humour, and packed with clever details to spot.
MY TIDBITS
Two frogs clash to prove how ridiculous some arguments are, especially when friendship might not be far away.
Two frogs are enjoying a day on a rock in the pond, each one unaware of the other's presence thanks to a thick tuft of grass...that is, until they notice each other. Unready to share the moment of peace, they both lay claim to the rock in a ridiculous argument which builds and builds. That draws attention from other pond visitors, and not in a good way. Now, the two frogs have to deal with a bigger problem than sharing a rock.
This book left a huge smile on our faces. The frogs are utterly over-the-top as they throw huge fits about who has the right to sit on the rock. The argument and very heated attitudes leave a sense of uncomfortableness, which paves the path for the message at the end and has it ringing that much more true. So, extra kudos to that weave! But even when the frogs are in their heated back-and-forth, there is more than a little humor to keep it balanced and fun.
The illustrations are handled very well. Not only are the scenes grabbing with the colors, details, and style, but they play with the situation in ways which guarantee more than a few giggles. The story flows nicely in the lightly, rhymed text and the lively dialogue between the frogs, but the illustrations add richness and delight. They lay hints and layers to the plot presented in the text to round off the story in all the right ways.
It's silly, lively, holds a tad bit of tension, and brings across a valuable message about friendship and being less selfish.
And here she is...
Kaye Umansky has written several books for children. She lives in North London, England
No comments:
Post a Comment