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The Wide-Mouthed Frog: A Pop-Up Book
This laugh-out-loud funny pop-up book takes on a traditional American tale about a wide-mouth frog and is sure to delight, with each spread featuring a different animal
From the Okefenokee Swamp comes a frog with a wide mouth that he just loves to use. He's particularly interested in the eating habits of other creatures found in the great outdoors, from the blue-feathere bird to a furry brown mouse. Until one day, he meets a big green animal with lots of teeth who finds wide-mouthed frogs simply delicious.
From the Okefenokee Swamp comes a frog with a wide mouth that he just loves to use. He's particularly interested in the eating habits of other creatures found in the great outdoors, from the blue-feathere bird to a furry brown mouse. Until one day, he meets a big green animal with lots of teeth who finds wide-mouthed frogs simply delicious.
16 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1995
13 people are currently reading
1377 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
November 3, 2011
I thought I would start keeping track of the books I've read with my four year old, Dominic that we love reading together.
I am a passionate reader and it seems to be contagious... it's spread though-out the house. It starts slow little things here and there…my husband sees me reading a book with a smile. But the outbreak is bad when it comes to the younger members of the house hold…maybe its genetic?
I have always read with my children as my mother read to me and there are some children’s books that you bond with, The Wide-Mouthed Frog is one of those books for me. I do the voices of all the different animals in the book and he opens the last page that pops up with a huge splash and says “SPLASH”. I always love when he lets me read him this book.
The copy I have is actually a hand me down from my 13 year old Andrew… and yeah we bonded over the book as well. We have used and abused the book so much that many of the pop-up’s are taped and have to be manually activated. Maybe it’s time for a new copy!
This book is not sentimental and most likely won’t teach your child a lesson… unless you count learning how to immerse yourself into a book and become part of the story, and joining your child in their imagination and going on an adventure together, a lesson…
I am a passionate reader and it seems to be contagious... it's spread though-out the house. It starts slow little things here and there…my husband sees me reading a book with a smile. But the outbreak is bad when it comes to the younger members of the house hold…maybe its genetic?
I have always read with my children as my mother read to me and there are some children’s books that you bond with, The Wide-Mouthed Frog is one of those books for me. I do the voices of all the different animals in the book and he opens the last page that pops up with a huge splash and says “SPLASH”. I always love when he lets me read him this book.
The copy I have is actually a hand me down from my 13 year old Andrew… and yeah we bonded over the book as well. We have used and abused the book so much that many of the pop-up’s are taped and have to be manually activated. Maybe it’s time for a new copy!
This book is not sentimental and most likely won’t teach your child a lesson… unless you count learning how to immerse yourself into a book and become part of the story, and joining your child in their imagination and going on an adventure together, a lesson…
February 4, 2013
2 yr old twins loved it as well as my five year old. pop ups were fantastic. animals had mouths that you could make talk by opening and closing book, and the alligator mouth was so big it fascinated them all. only problem is that I can see this book getting beat up quickly. I'd recommend an adult keeping it on a high shelf for safe keeping.
February 23, 2019
Holy crap, this was unexpectedly hilarious.
August 29, 2017
Adorable! My 5 year old came home from his first day of Kindergarten and couldn't stop telling me about the Wide-Mouthed Frog! Fast forward a few days later and he's still talking about it. I attended back to school night and his kindergarten teacher said the kids beg her everyday to read this book to them. So I felt like I needed to get this and read it with Lee. What a joy to watch him excited by every turn of the page! Each of his older siblings took a turn reading it to him. I'm sure he will remember this as an adult!
August 25, 2017
I love this pop-up! I use it during story time with toddlers and preschoolers and they always enjoy hearing it, sometimes again and again! Pairs well with a frog puppet and frog craft for spring and summer.
May 24, 2017
Die grappie met sy variasies mag oorbekend wees, veral as jy iemand van enkelsyferouderdom in die familie het wat die kuns van grappe vertel ontdek, maar dit maak glad nie saak nie: dit is die tegniese uitvoering van die vertelling wat hierdie boek so skouspelagtig maak. Die diere hap regtig na jou, veral die krokodil, en die slot is met een woord uitspattig. Koop twee sodat jy 'n rugsteunkopié het wanneer die eerste een voosgelees is!
The joke may be familiar, but it is the technical finesse and detail of the pop-up effects that make this book so spectacular. Worth hiding a second copy away - the first one may just succumb to being over-read!
The joke may be familiar, but it is the technical finesse and detail of the pop-up effects that make this book so spectacular. Worth hiding a second copy away - the first one may just succumb to being over-read!
December 29, 2024
"The Wide-Mouthed Frog" is an absolute delight in our bedtime routine!🥰 My children and I love the playful story and colorful illustrations. The engaging tale of the curious frog and his wide-mouthed adventures never fails to bring smiles and laughter. It's a charming book that we treasure, making bedtime a fun and memorable experience every night. This book is on repeat every night! 🐸💖🎶
December 21, 2021
It’s a pop up. Need I say more?
July 19, 2017
the pop ups in this are fantastic. My almost 4 year old and I both loved it!
December 2, 2025
This is a cute frog pop up book.
September 29, 2016
1)Book summary, in your own words (3 pts)
-The Wide-Mouthed Frog is a book about none other, a wide-mouthed frog. The wide-mouthed frog's name is never mentioned, and instead, for humor, the phrase "the wide-mouthed frog" is repeated over and over again. The frog has a healthy diet of eating flies, but he is very curious about what the other animals in the pond like to eat. He runs into several animals along the way, one of them being an alligator who enjoys... wide-mouthed frogs. So, the frog has to make a quick escape in order to avoid being the alligator's dinner.
2) Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
- Kindergarten-2nd grade.
- Students who love animals would love the book.
3) Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
- In a Science classroom learning about the food chain.
4) Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
- Students that rely on/enjoy illustrations in books.
5) Small group use (literaturecircles) (1 pt)
- Students could read in small groups with each student reading the part of one of the animals.
6) Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
- Carpet reading, introduction to lesson.
7) Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
-What Does an Animal Eat? By Lawrence F. Lowery. (about food chain)
-The Long-Nosed Pig By Keith Faulkner (another pop-up book with similar story)
8) Multimedia connections (audio book, movie) available (1 pt)
-No movie or audio book available
-The Wide-Mouthed Frog is a book about none other, a wide-mouthed frog. The wide-mouthed frog's name is never mentioned, and instead, for humor, the phrase "the wide-mouthed frog" is repeated over and over again. The frog has a healthy diet of eating flies, but he is very curious about what the other animals in the pond like to eat. He runs into several animals along the way, one of them being an alligator who enjoys... wide-mouthed frogs. So, the frog has to make a quick escape in order to avoid being the alligator's dinner.
2) Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
- Kindergarten-2nd grade.
- Students who love animals would love the book.
3) Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
- In a Science classroom learning about the food chain.
4) Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
- Students that rely on/enjoy illustrations in books.
5) Small group use (literaturecircles) (1 pt)
- Students could read in small groups with each student reading the part of one of the animals.
6) Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
- Carpet reading, introduction to lesson.
7) Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
-What Does an Animal Eat? By Lawrence F. Lowery. (about food chain)
-The Long-Nosed Pig By Keith Faulkner (another pop-up book with similar story)
8) Multimedia connections (audio book, movie) available (1 pt)
-No movie or audio book available
August 4, 2010
"I'm a wide-mouthed frog, and I eat flies!" said the wide-mouthed pop-up frog, sticking out his tongue. And he's curious to know what other animals eat, too. But the wide-mouthed frog must think fast when he comes across a wide-mouthed-frog-eating alligator! After reading this fun pop-up book, I had requests for "again!"
Read
April 20, 2015In this pop-up book, a curious frog meets several animals. He inquires what each animal eats until he comes across an alligator. When he asks what the alligator eats, his reply is he eats "delicious wide-mouthed frogs". The frog then promptly saves himself by jumping into the water. The book would be a great read aloud for younger students.
September 26, 2016
This enjoyable pop up decides to visit his fellow animals to see what they like to eat. As we're introduced to each one they open their mouth wide open as they list what they like to place inside. But when Frog meets up with Alligator and finds out what he likes to eat things get interesting. A quick, fun pop up for your little ones to enjoy while perhaps eating all the things they like to.
March 16, 2009
This sturdy pop-up book is sure to please with its "splashy" ending! The pages can double as "puppets" as the reader gently moves the pages slightly open and closed and flips back and forth between characters. Best read-aloud choice of this folktale favorite.
May 23, 2013
CLASSSIC! Gotta have, gotta read, gotta perform! My personal favorite of all Faulkner's stories. Great for animals, water, eating, or just plain scared! themes. Toddlers, preschoolers, school-age, adults. All love this book.
February 1, 2010
This is a great book for kids because it is a pop-up book, which is so engaging for the kids. Also, my class made a paper bag puppet of a frog with a big tongue that sticks out just like the book...a lot of fun!
May 6, 2010
Great for read-alouds...stretching your mouth as wide as it can go when the frog asks "What Do You Eat?"...until he comes to the alligator, it is a different story all together.
Used for "Frog Fever" Family Storytime-May, 2010.
Used for "Frog Fever" Family Storytime-May, 2010.
June 17, 2011
From my experience, toddlers seem to really enjoy this book a lot. The pop-up details are fun for children but it's best to have adults read this one aloud... it's easy for children to tear the pages since they are pop-up. Very cute and easy to comprehend for young children.
August 29, 2025
Reminded me of a joke my mom used to tell. So funny!
2016 Read with Naomi and Julia.
1/14/25 Read with Skylar
8/28/25 Read with Skylar
2016 Read with Naomi and Julia.
1/14/25 Read with Skylar
8/28/25 Read with Skylar
May 14, 2022
Cute interactive book with kids! They loved kissing the frogs, haha!
September 24, 2017
Title: The Wide-mouthed Frog
Author: Keith Faulkner
Illustrator: Jonathan Lambert
Genre: pop up book
Theme(s): animals
Opening line/sentence: ‘“I am a wide-mouthed frog and I eat flies,” said the wide-mouthed frog.’
Brief Book Summary: Each page features an animal that explains what they like to eat. The main character (the wide-mouthed frog) is very arrogant until he meets a predator (the crocodile), which sends him right back to his pond.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Horn Book Reviews
(http://www.hornbookguide.com/cgi-bin/...)
A wide-mouthed frog asks a bird, a mouse, and an alligator what they eat. Each animal is shown with a mouth that moves as the pages are opened and closed. When the alligator responds that he eats wide-mouthed frogs, the frog's mouth suddenly becomes tiny, and he leaps into the pond for a surprise pop-out splash on the last double-page spread. Bold, bright figures against white backgrounds will show up well for story hours.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Horn Book Reviews
(http://www.hornbookguide.com/cgi-bin/...)
A frog goes exploring, asking all the animals he meets, "Who are you, and what do you eat?" After they reply, he shouts, "Well, I'm a big wide-mouthed frog! And I eat flies!" But when the cocky frog encounters a crocodile who eats wide-mouthed frogs, he quickly changes his tune. The book offers no details about the origin of this funny story, which is accompanied by bright, energetic illustrations.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews give a great summary of this pop-up book. They didn’t really give opinions. The first review mentions that the pictures would be great for a read aloud, which I agree with.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The bright, colorful pictures along with the pop-up features makes this a great read for younger children. It is a fairly quick read, with minimal words and an easy-to-follow plot about a frog, mouse, and crocodile and what they eat.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This book could be used to teach children about arrogance, or what different animals eat. I think this book is better for children to explore on their own, rather than as a read aloud selection because of the pop-up features. It could be used in a reading/writing workshop where children could practice discussing with their peers, or predicting.
Author: Keith Faulkner
Illustrator: Jonathan Lambert
Genre: pop up book
Theme(s): animals
Opening line/sentence: ‘“I am a wide-mouthed frog and I eat flies,” said the wide-mouthed frog.’
Brief Book Summary: Each page features an animal that explains what they like to eat. The main character (the wide-mouthed frog) is very arrogant until he meets a predator (the crocodile), which sends him right back to his pond.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Horn Book Reviews
(http://www.hornbookguide.com/cgi-bin/...)
A wide-mouthed frog asks a bird, a mouse, and an alligator what they eat. Each animal is shown with a mouth that moves as the pages are opened and closed. When the alligator responds that he eats wide-mouthed frogs, the frog's mouth suddenly becomes tiny, and he leaps into the pond for a surprise pop-out splash on the last double-page spread. Bold, bright figures against white backgrounds will show up well for story hours.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Horn Book Reviews
(http://www.hornbookguide.com/cgi-bin/...)
A frog goes exploring, asking all the animals he meets, "Who are you, and what do you eat?" After they reply, he shouts, "Well, I'm a big wide-mouthed frog! And I eat flies!" But when the cocky frog encounters a crocodile who eats wide-mouthed frogs, he quickly changes his tune. The book offers no details about the origin of this funny story, which is accompanied by bright, energetic illustrations.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews give a great summary of this pop-up book. They didn’t really give opinions. The first review mentions that the pictures would be great for a read aloud, which I agree with.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The bright, colorful pictures along with the pop-up features makes this a great read for younger children. It is a fairly quick read, with minimal words and an easy-to-follow plot about a frog, mouse, and crocodile and what they eat.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This book could be used to teach children about arrogance, or what different animals eat. I think this book is better for children to explore on their own, rather than as a read aloud selection because of the pop-up features. It could be used in a reading/writing workshop where children could practice discussing with their peers, or predicting.
July 25, 2018
Many will be familiar with the traditional story already. If not, you can get a more traditional take by checking out The Big Wide-Mouthed Frog by Ana Martín Larrañaga.
A wide-mouthed swamp frog asks the other animals in its habitat what they like to eat. "I'm a wide-mouthed frog and I eat flies," the frog says, and a pop-up shows the reader a long tongue with a fly stuck to the end and just how wide his mouth is. We meet other animals and see and hear about their favorite foods, but eventually things take a turn when we are introduced to an alligator who eats... "delicious wide-mouthed frogs." The clever wide-mouthed frog sucks in his lips to pretend his mouth is tiny, and the final page is a pop-up of his dramatic escape (SPLASH!).
The simple story is easy to follow, and the plot and conflict are built around some basics about the food chain—a nice academic bonus. Obviously, the pop-ups and their movement provide a ton of interest and excitement. But I wouldn't purchase this book for a child who doesn't yet treat books gently or doesn't have the fine motor skills not to rip the pop-ups. Pop-up books are, unfortunately, fragile (and so almost never in library circulation), and this one is no exception.
---
I review books for children from the perspective of a parent of kids with autism. The review above is part of a longer post on books for kids who really love frogs and toads: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/frogs-...
A wide-mouthed swamp frog asks the other animals in its habitat what they like to eat. "I'm a wide-mouthed frog and I eat flies," the frog says, and a pop-up shows the reader a long tongue with a fly stuck to the end and just how wide his mouth is. We meet other animals and see and hear about their favorite foods, but eventually things take a turn when we are introduced to an alligator who eats... "delicious wide-mouthed frogs." The clever wide-mouthed frog sucks in his lips to pretend his mouth is tiny, and the final page is a pop-up of his dramatic escape (SPLASH!).
The simple story is easy to follow, and the plot and conflict are built around some basics about the food chain—a nice academic bonus. Obviously, the pop-ups and their movement provide a ton of interest and excitement. But I wouldn't purchase this book for a child who doesn't yet treat books gently or doesn't have the fine motor skills not to rip the pop-ups. Pop-up books are, unfortunately, fragile (and so almost never in library circulation), and this one is no exception.
---
I review books for children from the perspective of a parent of kids with autism. The review above is part of a longer post on books for kids who really love frogs and toads: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/frogs-...
January 25, 2023
Nanny and Alexander (aged 3)
This is a book Nanny bought for her children and Grandad many years ago.
Grandad knows a joke about the wide-mouthed Frog so when Nanny saw the book she had to get it.
Alexander has heard grandad tell his frog joke. (You have to put your fingers in your mouth and stretch it wide to be the wide-mouthed frog.)
The wide mouthed frog asks the animals he meets what they like to eat.
The animals in the book are all pop ups which Alexander likes. Nanny lets he touch them gently.
He particularly likes the big crocodile – it’s his favourite page. He likes to look in the crocodile’s mouth (gently). Nanny’s favourite page is when the frog jumps into the water with a great big splash!
Grandad likes it when the wide mouth frog puckers up his lips and says; ”You don’t see many of those about do you?” after the crocodile says he eats wide-mouthed frogs.
This is a book Nanny bought for her children and Grandad many years ago.
Grandad knows a joke about the wide-mouthed Frog so when Nanny saw the book she had to get it.
Alexander has heard grandad tell his frog joke. (You have to put your fingers in your mouth and stretch it wide to be the wide-mouthed frog.)
The wide mouthed frog asks the animals he meets what they like to eat.
The animals in the book are all pop ups which Alexander likes. Nanny lets he touch them gently.
He particularly likes the big crocodile – it’s his favourite page. He likes to look in the crocodile’s mouth (gently). Nanny’s favourite page is when the frog jumps into the water with a great big splash!
Grandad likes it when the wide mouth frog puckers up his lips and says; ”You don’t see many of those about do you?” after the crocodile says he eats wide-mouthed frogs.
June 15, 2024
Super short, but very cute, little story book. Makes me wish I had a little one to read it to. I did a read through before popping it in my Little Free Library. With the fun illustrations and interactive pop-ups to add interest, I can see this getting snagged by a family who will enjoy it.
The wide-mouthed frog, discussing what he eats with others ... I just see a very animated reader saying the words loudly, opening their mouth wide ... then while "I'm not a wide-mouthed frog" isn't exactly what is said, that's the meaning, and again, an animated narrator would say the words with a very controlled, small moving mouth.
Pop-ups can get a little battered. This has a bit of tape on it, but it still in remarkably good condition for a former library book that has likely been read a lot!
The wide-mouthed frog, discussing what he eats with others ... I just see a very animated reader saying the words loudly, opening their mouth wide ... then while "I'm not a wide-mouthed frog" isn't exactly what is said, that's the meaning, and again, an animated narrator would say the words with a very controlled, small moving mouth.
Pop-ups can get a little battered. This has a bit of tape on it, but it still in remarkably good condition for a former library book that has likely been read a lot!
May 20, 2019
The Wide-Mouthed Frog is a great read-aloud text for younger readers. Some of the text can be clumsy and challenging for newer readers. Great illustrations and impressive pop-ups. The wide-mouthed frog encounters several challenges that he overcomes with humor and guile. Not ideal for independent reading for new readers; great story for supported reading. The story is humorous and engaging enough to sustain several reads.
June 11, 2021
My four children loved reading this book and this year I pulled it out and read it to my class of Kindergartners. It was a huge hit. This wide mouth frog inquires about what other creatures like to eat until he runs in a big alligator who claims he likes to eat wide mouth frogs. To this, the frog puckers his lips and responds "You don't see many of those around, do you?" It is a fun story to use a variety of voices and inflection.
October 30, 2025
As a kindergarten teacher, this was one of the absolute favorite read-aloud books! I recommend different voices for each character, which are best done with opening pages of this pop-up book in time with the reading (so the characters are nearly puppets as you read). The end of the book is a splash! I recommend standing and tipping the big surprise ending pop-up pages over the children you read with so they can imagine being splashed with actual water.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2020
This is a very predictable book. When reading stories like this to young children, it is nice because there are different animal characters that you can change your voice to. The pop-up illustrations make it fun and exciting. They also allow children to comprehend the story and even give out a laugh once you realize what might happen to the frog!
May 13, 2021
A wide-mouthed frog visits different creatures, asking them (in a mildly irritating way) what they eat...only to meet a scary alligator who eats wide-mouthed frogs!
An absolutely hilarious story (that works well as an oral story around the campfire or in a classroom) with wonderful illustrations in this pop-up book.
Storytime:
Animals
An absolutely hilarious story (that works well as an oral story around the campfire or in a classroom) with wonderful illustrations in this pop-up book.
Storytime:
Animals
Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews