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Finklehopper Frog
Jogging is the thing to do in town, and Finklehopper Frog is eager to join in. To mark the occasion, Finkle finds an extra special jogging suit then hits the road. He hippied and he hoppied and he sang a sweet ker-chog,until he started wondering is THIS the way to jog? Finklehopper'¬?s doubts grow until one smart bunny helps Finkle discover that being part of the crowd doesn'¬?t mean casting aside your own froggy style. Catchy, rhythmic prose and peppy vernacular are paired with bright illustrations of a distinctive animal community in what is sure to become an all-time read-aloud favorite.Recipient of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio'¬?s Gold Award. Lively diversity title. Highlights physical exercise for young children.
30 pages, Hardcover
First published March 4, 2003
1 person is currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Irene Livingston
3 books2 followersBrian Lies is the author and/or illustrator of more than twenty children's books, including the New York Times bestsellers BATS AT THE BEACH and BATS AT THE LIBRARY (named the Indie Choice Best Picture Book of 2008)."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
May 10, 2013
The first time I read this book to my daughter she was one week old. Her mother lived in Dallas, I lived in San Francisco, and every day I would call and read her this book so that she would learn to know my voice. It is a great book about being yourself, freedom of expression and not worrying about what others think about what you choose to do. Things a new father hopes to instill in his daughter.
If you click on my profile picture, you will see a black and white photo of me reading a book to Belinda. That book is Finklehopper Frog. She is drooling a bit, pointing at the bright and beautiful pictures in this book, lulled by the cadence of my recitation of a book that by then I know by heart.
By age four she is reading on her own and she asks to read the book to me. She doesn't yet get all the words 100% right, but she speaks the words she doesn't know phonetically and mirrors my pacing. I smile at the fatherly echoes resounding in the reverberations of a daughter's burgeoning voice.
At age five Bel is bored with Finklehopper. She tears through the book, quoting the upcoming words prior to the page turn, exactly as I did just last year. She finishes the book with a satisfied slam of the book cover. I ask her what she thinks the book is about. "It's okay to wear crazy jogging clothes?" Close enough.
When she is seven I take the book out and try to get her to read it to me. Nostalgia. Bel looks at me with a raised eyebrow that I can only imagine what it will look like when she is 19 and giving me the same look. "That is a baby book, Daddy," she says. Dismissed. Class is over.
Last weekend I am climbing a scramble on the Angel's Landing in Zion National Park, piss-my-pants frightened by the 1300 foot verticle drop off my right shoulder. I calm my jangled nerves by reciting to myself this beautiful book. It works; I live to write this review of the greatest children's book ever written.
My daughter may forget about you, Finkelhopper, but I never will. Thanks for five years of great memories.
If you click on my profile picture, you will see a black and white photo of me reading a book to Belinda. That book is Finklehopper Frog. She is drooling a bit, pointing at the bright and beautiful pictures in this book, lulled by the cadence of my recitation of a book that by then I know by heart.
By age four she is reading on her own and she asks to read the book to me. She doesn't yet get all the words 100% right, but she speaks the words she doesn't know phonetically and mirrors my pacing. I smile at the fatherly echoes resounding in the reverberations of a daughter's burgeoning voice.
At age five Bel is bored with Finklehopper. She tears through the book, quoting the upcoming words prior to the page turn, exactly as I did just last year. She finishes the book with a satisfied slam of the book cover. I ask her what she thinks the book is about. "It's okay to wear crazy jogging clothes?" Close enough.
When she is seven I take the book out and try to get her to read it to me. Nostalgia. Bel looks at me with a raised eyebrow that I can only imagine what it will look like when she is 19 and giving me the same look. "That is a baby book, Daddy," she says. Dismissed. Class is over.
Last weekend I am climbing a scramble on the Angel's Landing in Zion National Park, piss-my-pants frightened by the 1300 foot verticle drop off my right shoulder. I calm my jangled nerves by reciting to myself this beautiful book. It works; I live to write this review of the greatest children's book ever written.
My daughter may forget about you, Finkelhopper, but I never will. Thanks for five years of great memories.
March 2, 2019
Finklehopper decides to take up jogging, but quickly learns that he needs to do things his own unique way. Cute story with terrific illustrations by Brian Lies.
May 15, 2024
This book built me into the man I am today. A must read for the next generation of geniuses.
February 19, 2010
Finklehopper Frog decides to give jogging a try after reading a newspaper article about how it will improve his "hoppiness." He suits up and hits the track only to doubt his ability after some other joggers make fun of him. Luckily he runs into Ruby Rabbit who makes him see the positive side of his hopping ways.
This book has great rhythm and rhyme and is excellent for read-alouds in the primary grades. Both my morning and afternoon reading groups were glued to the colorful pictures and story and many asked to read it during independent reading time. It was also the spring board for some excellent conversations about differences and acceptance.
This book has great rhythm and rhyme and is excellent for read-alouds in the primary grades. Both my morning and afternoon reading groups were glued to the colorful pictures and story and many asked to read it during independent reading time. It was also the spring board for some excellent conversations about differences and acceptance.
picture-books
July 11, 2023Preschool Storytime
Attendees: 45
Date: 5.01.23
Theme: Frogs
Introduction and announcements: My Hands say hello
Book one: Finklehopper Frog by Irene Livingston
Song/rhyme/game one: Little Green Frog
Glub, Glub went the little green frog one day!
Glub, glub went the little green!
Glub, glub went the little green frog one day!
And the frog went Glub, Glub, Glub!
BUT!
We all know frogs go,
Lahdeedahdeedah!
Lahdeedahdeedah!
Lahdeedahdeedah!
We all know frogs go,
Lahdeedahdeedah!
They don’t go Glub, Glub, Glub!
Book two: Red-Eyed Tree Frog by Joy Cowley
Song/rhyme/game two: I know a chicken by Laurie Beckner
Book three: Excuse Me! By Lisa Kopelke
Song/ rhyme/ game three: Wag your tail by super simple songs
Activity: https://www.printablee.com/postpic/20...
Attendees: 45
Date: 5.01.23
Theme: Frogs
Introduction and announcements: My Hands say hello
Book one: Finklehopper Frog by Irene Livingston
Song/rhyme/game one: Little Green Frog
Glub, Glub went the little green frog one day!
Glub, glub went the little green!
Glub, glub went the little green frog one day!
And the frog went Glub, Glub, Glub!
BUT!
We all know frogs go,
Lahdeedahdeedah!
Lahdeedahdeedah!
Lahdeedahdeedah!
We all know frogs go,
Lahdeedahdeedah!
They don’t go Glub, Glub, Glub!
Book two: Red-Eyed Tree Frog by Joy Cowley
Song/rhyme/game two: I know a chicken by Laurie Beckner
Book three: Excuse Me! By Lisa Kopelke
Song/ rhyme/ game three: Wag your tail by super simple songs
Activity: https://www.printablee.com/postpic/20...
August 12, 2020
Delightfully illustrated and written in rhyme, this colorful book will soon grab your child's attention. Finklehopper Frog sees that his neighbors are out jogging. Not wanting to be left out, Finklehopper purchases himself a very jazzy and noticeable jogging outfit. Of course, we all know that frogs cannot jog! They hop! The other animals soon start making fun of him, not only in the way he is dressed but in how he "jogs". Even though his heart becomes heavy, Finklehopper continues on. Who will he meet to encourage him?
This well-written book with a large font gets the point across that whilst we may all do things a little differently, there is room for all. I borrowed this book from our local library. I was not required to write a review but chose to do so. Hoppy reading! Thanks, Liz
This well-written book with a large font gets the point across that whilst we may all do things a little differently, there is room for all. I borrowed this book from our local library. I was not required to write a review but chose to do so. Hoppy reading! Thanks, Liz
April 4, 2020
“So, Finklehopper, keep on doing what you always do, ‘cause hopping in the way to go, the perfect way for you.”
Looking out the window, Finklehopper Frog is excited to see all the joggers going by and wants to join them. So he goes to the store to buy a special suit to jog in. But when he begins his hippy hoppy kind of jogging, others make fun of him. “... you’re only hoppin’. That is not the way to jog.” And “Your jogging suit is goofy.” But Finklehopper is determined not to let the others discourage him. Then he meets Ruby Rabbit and she loves his style.
A simple book with a good message.
Looking out the window, Finklehopper Frog is excited to see all the joggers going by and wants to join them. So he goes to the store to buy a special suit to jog in. But when he begins his hippy hoppy kind of jogging, others make fun of him. “... you’re only hoppin’. That is not the way to jog.” And “Your jogging suit is goofy.” But Finklehopper is determined not to let the others discourage him. Then he meets Ruby Rabbit and she loves his style.
A simple book with a good message.
March 16, 2021
Modern Fantasy
Grades Pre-K-2
I'm actually in love with this book. Not only is it super cute, but it teaches a great lesson about understanding that everyone has different talents and abilities, and that there is room for everyone! This is one of those books that I am definitely adding to my "MUST BUY" list because I need it for my classroom! I would love to read this book as a read aloud and turn it into a discussion about understanding and anti-bullying! If you read this, it is definitely worth reading out loud.
Grades Pre-K-2
I'm actually in love with this book. Not only is it super cute, but it teaches a great lesson about understanding that everyone has different talents and abilities, and that there is room for everyone! This is one of those books that I am definitely adding to my "MUST BUY" list because I need it for my classroom! I would love to read this book as a read aloud and turn it into a discussion about understanding and anti-bullying! If you read this, it is definitely worth reading out loud.
January 8, 2020
I’m about to teach the frog life cycle to my 1st graders and came across this as a supplemental theme read aloud. I like that it helps teach about the importance and influence of our words (teasing vs. encouraging) and that we’re all talented and gifted in different ways. I did NOT like the use of the word stupid and there are other books to reach these things and support frog life cycles. That was the main reason it received 3 instead of 5 stars.
November 21, 2017
We bought this book when my first son was born in 2003 and have loved reading to all our kids still to this day. It is my husbands favorite and he knows it by heart! He’s actually standing here making breakfast and repeating sections of the book. He said I really wish I could tell the author how much we love this book....so I hope she reads this 🙂
April 17, 2021
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Grade: K-2
Finklehopper frog is such a funny story but also has a great message. I related to wanting to fit in both in how you do things and what you where. It shares the message that only you can be you and people should accept you for who you are.
Grade: K-2
Finklehopper frog is such a funny story but also has a great message. I related to wanting to fit in both in how you do things and what you where. It shares the message that only you can be you and people should accept you for who you are.
January 6, 2017
Cute story about how a frog wants to take up jogging and buys a jogging suit. Then he has to overcome some haters. Cute story with a good moral!
July 9, 2019
I loved this book!
March 19, 2020
*Funny Book
*creativity
*Real Friends
*Do things your own way
*Hobbies
*What people like
*creativity
*Real Friends
*Do things your own way
*Hobbies
*What people like
February 22, 2023
Maddie says she likes the message of being yourself and not being a bully, but she didn’t like that the animals were wearing shoes.
February 12, 2011
This would be a great story to not only read aloud just for fun, but also to assist in a language arts lesson. The story also has a nice moral to it at the end. It is about a frog named Finklehopper who looks out his window to see that everyone was out for a jog. Finklehopper gets excited and goes to the store to buy a jogging suit, but it cannot be just any old jogging suit. It has to be snazzy. He found the perfect one, pink and purple dots all over it. Then he was off for a jog. First he ran into dog and then cat who both made fun of Finklehopper telling him that he did not know how to jog. "And man, you're only hoppin'. That is not the way to jog!" Then he meets Ruby the rabbit who also hops and the story ends well. See fun! The story is full of rhyming words as well. It's a great way to engage students in their learning about rhyming words. Students could even create their own story about Finklehopper for those who really know how to rhyme!
July 31, 2011
It's a good story, and the illustrations are fantastic, but having been a runner for 40 years I hate it when running is referred to as "jogging." I guess it was necessary in this book, in order to rhyme with "frog." In this rhyming story, Finklehopper Frog notices that all the neighborhood creatures are "jogging" so he goes out and buys a jazzy jogging suit and sets out to join them. He is met with derision for his suit (pretty horrible, actually) and the way he runs. Then Ruby Rabbit comes hopping along and puts Finklehopper Frog's mind at ease. He's not a runner - hopping is what he does best. You could spend hours just looking at these colorful, detailed illustrations. The newspaper headlines are amusing, the contents of Mrs. Chimpanzee's clothing store are all-inclusive when it comes to size or type of animal. And the animals themselves show a lot of personality and pizzazz.
September 4, 2013
9/4/13 ** If you haven't read this book, hop your way to your favorite bookstore or library and check it out. I've been reading and enjoying this light-hearted but important book since my focal students in my dissertation study first used it with their first grade students.
Finklehopper Frog has caught the jogging craze and he hops his way to the nearest store to get the swellest jogging suit he can find. No sooner does he join his peers, than the negative comments start - his clothes are outrageous, he doesn't know how to jog, he doesn't belong. Fortunately, a fellow hopper, Ruby Rabbit, comes along and recognizes that frogs hop, they don't jog. Readers intuit multiple themes: be yourself, brush off the mean comments of others, don't try to change the way you naturally do things.
The rhyming jingles on each page are a pleasure to read repeatedly, feeling the way the sounds roll off the tongue.
Well, what are you waiting for - hop on over to a library or bookstore!
Finklehopper Frog has caught the jogging craze and he hops his way to the nearest store to get the swellest jogging suit he can find. No sooner does he join his peers, than the negative comments start - his clothes are outrageous, he doesn't know how to jog, he doesn't belong. Fortunately, a fellow hopper, Ruby Rabbit, comes along and recognizes that frogs hop, they don't jog. Readers intuit multiple themes: be yourself, brush off the mean comments of others, don't try to change the way you naturally do things.
The rhyming jingles on each page are a pleasure to read repeatedly, feeling the way the sounds roll off the tongue.
Well, what are you waiting for - hop on over to a library or bookstore!
July 16, 2015
Before I read this book I skimmed it looking at the pictures and words. The pictures are attractive, colorful, and inviting showing lots of detail. How the words were placed on the page looked as if it was going to be fun to read. I noticed there were some rhymes and overall thought it would be a good book. I read it and indeed it was a great book. It is about Finklehopper Frog who notices every one outside jogging. He decided to go get his own jogging suit, which ends up being crazy mismatched patterns. When he went out running, the dog and cat run by making fun of how he 'jogs' and his outfit. This makes him a little sad but then came the rabbit who hops instead of jogs. She tells the frog that their is not reason to change. Be yourself and there is certainly room for everyone. A teacher can use this when teaching about how everyone is different and everyone comes from different backgrounds, but you should not make fun of others or belittle them.
July 18, 2015
Livingston, Irene, and Brian Lies. Finklehopper Frog. Berkeley: Tricycle, 2003. Print. Verse book. Ages 4-8. Finklehopper Frog is a verse book about a frog who buys a colorful suit to go jogging. He learns that not everyone is made for jogging, but everyone has their own unique abilities. This story has vivid illustrations that almost tell a story of their own. They tie in well to the text, but they also have details that tell more of the story. The pictures are bright and pleasing to the eye. The story itself is charming and teaches a wonderful message of accepting who you are and understanding that everyone is different. I would use this story to teach children the beauty of differences, and that we all have talents. Even if we can’t do something someone else can, doesn’t mean we should be ashamed, there may be things that they can’t do that you can.
November 26, 2013
After watching joggers pass by, Finklehopper Frog decides he wants to give jogging a try. He goes to the store to buy a fancy new jogging suit and quickly begins his new jogging adventure. Finklehopper Frog soon runs into other animals that make fun of him for hopping rather than jogging and they also make fun of his jogging suit. Finklehopper Frog is just about to give up and then Ruby the rabbit comes along. She tells Finklehopper Frog that she loves his hopping suit and that he should keep hopping because that is what is right for him. This is a humorous book with great images that children will be sure to love. It is a good book to discuss differences and accepting others for who they are. This book would also be good to teach rhyming to students.
Read
August 9, 2019The book hops along quickly, with great rhyming and some near-tongue twisters to keep the pace. We thought this might get tiresome after all these readings, but we continue to enjoy the story as much as our toddler does. A story about being yourself with a long shelf-life.
October 30, 2008
The illustrations are incredibly entertaining in themselves. You can spend several minutes on each page just looking through the pictures and pointing out funny details. My very favorite is on the last page: a Daddy frog pushing a baby tadpole in a stroller that looks like a fish tank on wheels. Hilarious book with a great message - we're all different and that's OK!
October 12, 2012
GR Level: K
Elementary: E LIV
This is a great book about bullying and knowing who you are as an individual! When Finklehopper decides to go jogging with everyone else others make fun of his suit and his "hopping". Then somebody points out that all of us are different, and that's okay.
Elementary: E LIV
This is a great book about bullying and knowing who you are as an individual! When Finklehopper decides to go jogging with everyone else others make fun of his suit and his "hopping". Then somebody points out that all of us are different, and that's okay.
September 3, 2008
We both like this book. I like it because the message is about being yourself. My daughter likes it because of all the different animals and what they are doing and where their homes are. It's a really cute book.
June 28, 2009
What a great children's book. It's got a great message for kids. My daughter heard this story at the library during storytime and loved it so much we had to get her a copy of it. Finklehopper is now a family favorite!
July 15, 2011
Nicely-illustrated story about being true to yourself and doing your own thing. There were also several teaching moments where my kids and I stopped to discuss how some of the characters treated Finklehopper and how they could have been more caring.
October 17, 2012
This is a great book about bullying and knowing who you are as an individual! When Finklehopper decides to go jogging with everyone else others make fun of his suit and his "hopping". Then somebody points out that all of us are different, and that's okay.
April 28, 2015
Substitutes stupid with silly and I liked it a lot. We don't use the word stupid in our house so whenever it comes up I substitute. In this case it makes the dog remain unkind but less awful than the original. Otherwise fun story with a good moral.
November 3, 2007
Very fun, mainly for the illustrations. And I love frogs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews