Too Many Frogs!

by Sandy Asher

Rabbit's comfortable nightly routine is disturbed by exuberant Froggie, who settles in for a snack and a story without being invited.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Humor, Storytime, Friendship

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Sandy Asher, a playwright and children's author, is probably best known for her young-adult novels and other prose works for young readers. Drawing many of the ideas and characters for her writings from her childhood memories, Asher has earned critical praise and numerous awards for novels such as Just like Jenny, Things Are Seldom What They Seem, and Everything Is Not Enough. In addition to fiction, Asher has also edited the story collections On Her Way: Stories and Poems about Growing up Girl and the award-winning With All My Heart, with All My Mind: Thirteen Stories about Growing up Jewish, which collect works that address many of the same adolescent concerns Asher confronts in her fiction.

Reviews

[Marcelaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm reading the book Quiet: The Powers of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking, which is probably why the ending of this book rubbed me wrong. In the book, Rabbit's evening routine is to tidy everything up and then spend some time reading a story to himself. Then Froggie shows up and invites himself in to listen to the story, and he continues coming each night uninvited, making snacks and piles of pillows and eventually bringing along his entire family. At this point Rabbit finally tells Froggie that he never invited him in and he just wants to read a story by himself, and Froggie apologizes for being rude. Up to this point the book was fine. Then it became a sermon trying to convert introverts to extroversion. The rabbit sits down and tries to enjoy his story and realizes that he doesn't enjoy it as much without Froggie there, so he invites Froggie and his two dozen family members in to hear the story. So it became a book to convince introverted kids who want to spend some time alone that they should go play with friends instead. Rabbit isn't allowed to enjoy his quiet winding down routine of reading a story because it's apparently wrong to want to spend time alone. How about we write some children's books where characters like Rabbit say, "I like to spend my evenings alone, but would you like to get together tomorrow morning?" It's okay to need some alone time!

Despite all this the book was quite enjoyable. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't reading a book in defense of introversion.

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm torn between three and four stars for this one, because while the story itself is enjoyable, it seems to suggest that everything in life is better with other people, and that simply isn't true. Sometimes there's nothing more pleasant than spending an evening by yourself, absorbing a good book. But the idea that sometimes we need broken out of our routines and comfort zones is a good one, too. So I guess take it for what it speaks to you at the time.

[Allison Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Son (age 6) says...
"I like the frog family, because they are funny. The big one has funny eyes and a big smile. One is upside-down. They keep on knocking on the rabbit's door. I like it when they say 'toodle-oo!' And they have so many snacks when the rabbit reads to them."

Mom says...
A book that's silly in the best way. You'll appreciate it if you've ever longed for a moment's peace, only to have your solitude wrecked by persistent interruption! Rabbit is stuck in a rut of routine, comfortable but... something is missing. It takes a Frog Family Reunion to make him discover what that something is. Books are about sharing, listening, and about community. Sandy Asher finds a way to get that message across in a goofy picture book. The illustrations by Keith Graves are fun in a cartoonish style that captures kids' interest.

* This reminds me of another book that contrasts solitude and company: Mary Ann Hoberman's One of Each. These books have good points to make, but I find myself wishing that it were not at the expense of solitude. I think it's important to emphasize community, and point out that it's nice to welcome company into your house, your life... but does this have to be with the coverse implication that solitude is bad, something to be overcome? I don't like the "either/or" dynamic. If anyone knows of a good children's book that points out some of the merits of solitude, rather than just pushing the message that we have to be social all the time... please let me know!

[Bryce Akey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that “Too Many Frogs” was a great children’s book. This book is about a Rabbit that does all the cooking and other duties for himself, and every night he reads himself a story. One night Froggie comes to his door and asks to listen to a story. As the nights go by Froggie keeps bringing more and more of his frog relatives to Rabbit’s house. Rabbit couldn't handle the dozens of frogs in his living room and told Froggie and all his relatives to leave. After a few nights go by Rabbit gets lonely and realizes that he misses Froggie and that it is better to have friends to be with than to be all alone.

The two main characters of this book are Rabbit, a lonely rabbit who learns a good life lesson, and Froggie, a friendly frog that just wants to make a new friend.

The time period is not mentioned in the book. The setting of this book takes place in the living room of Rabbit’s little home.

I recommend this book to younger children who are just starting to read, it is a great book with good illustrations. This book also shows younger children that it’s good to be nice to others and treat them kindly.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this one and my 4 year old did too. (Asked for it again right after we finished). About a Rabbit who has a certain bedtime routine and then one night Froggie invites himself in and imposes on his routine for a few nights. Finally when Froggie brings his whole family, Rabbit cracks and says he DOES mind and that he never invited Froggie in. Froggie and family leave and Rabbit goes about his routine and realizes something is missing and goes to look for Froggie (who still happens to be outside). Froggie apologizes and then Rabbit invites them in. At the very end he notes, It was different and Rabbit liked it. Cute story but if you want to discuss more you could talk about not being rude, inviting ourselves, being more inviting, being open to change, change can be good, etc. Story was simple and cute and my toddler loved it.

[Hailee Gorges · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute children's book. It has good illustrations and a great lesson can be learned from reading this book. This book is about a character named Rabbit, he does everything for himself until one night Froggie knocks at his door and wants to listen to a story. The next few nights Froggie brought over more of his relatives and Rabbit had enough and made everyone leave. Rabbit soon learns it's better have friends to share things with than to be sitting alone. I would recommend this book to younger kids who are learning to read, its a great starter book.

[Gabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rabbit was peacefully reading a book in his clean and quiet house when suddenly, there was a knock at his door. Froggie was all wet from the storm outside but hopped in and listened to Rabbit read his book. Over the next few days, Froggie came every night to listen to Rabbit read and even brought his Froggie family one night. While Rabbit was initially upset because of all the fuss and clutter the frogs would cause, he began to miss Froggie's company and invited the whole frog family inside his house to read a book. I especially related to this book because I used to like to leave a clean and quiet life and did not like fuss and clutter. However, once I experienced some chaos, I realized I need some craziness and uncertainty in my life. Children will find this book silly and will be able to see the power of books. Books can help bring people together, just as they did with Rabbit and the entire frog family and you can encourage your children and students to share their stories with others.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rabbit has a very stable, simple and scheduled life. “No fuss, no clutter.” Then Froggie enters the picture. He wants to come in out of the rain one night and listen to Rabbit read a story. When the story is done, Froggie departs. “Thanks for you kindness. Toodle-oo!”

The next night, Froggie is back for another story ... and some snacks. Rabbit doesn’t like all the fuss, but he puts up with it. The next night, much to Rabbit’s horror, Froggie returns again and again and again, each night getting a little more pushy. Until Rabbit has had enough. He will not read a story to the Frog Family Reunion! And finally Froggie gets the message.

But story time isn’t quite the same for Rabbit without Froggie’s enthusiastic presence. Luckily, Froggie and his family are still outside the door and ready for a story.

The repetitive phrases and detailed illustrations make this a good read aloud.

[Kimberly]

Multiple sentences. Animated illustrations with color. About a rabbit who is comfortable with his life and routine of reading stories at night and then a frog comes into his life and adds to his storytime every night by making snacks, getting pillows, etc. The frog brings his whole family and the rabbit tells him that the rabbit minds that he just invited himself over, so the frog and his family leave. The rabbit realizes that the frog added a lot of color to his life and reading routine and invites the frog and his family back to hear the rabbit read a story. Good message telling kids that different ways of life are not bad – having so much fuss, clutter, and people is not bad. Different ways of life are good and can add to your own!

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book multiple times over the week and I'm happy to say that it's a brand new favorite. The characters are so hilarious and the illustrations fit it so well. To be such a funny book, it gets it's point across so well and I think we will be buying our own copy soon. Would definitely recommend!

[Sunni Berbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story. Fun illustrations. Good message about how we get so stuck in our routines sometimes. It’s good to switch things up. Never know what more you could have if you don’t step out of your comfort zone.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was only my second time reading 'Too Many Frogs' to Oliver, but apparently daddy has been reading a lot at bedtime. Oliver says "knock-knockety-knocking" and "IT'S FROGGIE!" Absolutely adorable. My 2-year old loves it!

"Toodle-oo!" Another phrase Oliver has learned from this book!

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ye olde fuddy-duddy (rabbit) gets visited by a chaotic person (one frog, who eventually gets joined by more frogs), and at first gets annoyed and chases them away, then misses them and invites them back in.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one a lot. A rabbit just wants to read his book in peace and quiet, but a frog keeps joining him night after night, becoming slightly more intrusive each night. The ending was sweet. Great story! I particularly liked the frog illustrations.

[Pavithra Sivananthalingam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the book because it tells you it's more fun when you do things with friends than doing them alone.

[Concetta Kellough · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story about an uptight rabbit who likes things just so, a happy but rude frog, forgiveness and friendship.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great language usage
Beautiful vocabulary embedded
Colorful illustrations
so her did

love the repetition

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The value of a shared life!

[Mellanie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very cute story about a rabbit stepping out of his comfort zone to make friends with a boisterous frog--and all his froggy family!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a frog crashes rabbit's quiet evening and makes it a reoccuring habbit, both creatures end up learning about boundaries and come to appreciate each other's differences.

[Patrice]

BookTree S&E loved it!

[Natalie Neiffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO cute! You don't realize how much you depend on the company around you and appreciate them until theyre gone.

[Lil Old Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

as an introvert myself, idk if I love the sentiment the book is pushing, but its still silly zany fun with cute illustrations.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too Many Frogs by Sandy Asher falls under the genre of picture books for children. It won an award for Flicker Tale Children's Book in 2006. I would say this book is for children anywhere between 3-8 years old. This book is about a quiet rabbit who leads a simple life and follows the same routine every day. He enjoys reading a book every evening after tidying up from dinner, until one day an unexpected visitor stops by and asks to listen to the story as the rabbit reads. Having this visitor messes up the rabbit's daily routine and causes him to step out of his comfort zone. I gave this book a four star rating because overall, I enjoyed reading it very much, but it also made me feel a little bad for the rabbit. The rabbit leads a quiet life and likes things a certain way and you cannot help but feel for him when he is joined by this unexpected visitor. However, the ending of the book makes up for how rabbit feels throughout the story. It goes to show the readers that it is okay to take a step out of your comfort zone and switch things up a bit. It also shows the readers that it is always nice to have a friend nearby to listen to your stories. The illustrations in the book do a great job depicting the story and showing the reader what is happening every night when the visitor shows up. I think this book would be very appealing to many young readers ranging in age. It has humorous moments and teaches a good lesson along the way. One of my favorite things about this book is the catch phrases they use throughout the story. I read this book to my class of three-year-olds and we all used the catch phrases for a good week. Overall, I think this is a fun book that I think kids will really enjoy.

12/01/17

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asher, Sandy. (2005). Too Many Frogs! Graves, K. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

Literary Genre: Picture Storybook

Rabbit lives by himself, cooks for himself, tidies up after himself, and at the end of every day, he reads himself a story. Rabbit likes his simple, no fuss, no clutter way of life. Then one night, Froggie comes “knock-knockety-knocking” at Rabbit’s door and invites himself inside to listen to Rabbit’s story. Froggie is prone to fuss and clutter and after several visits to Rabbit’s house, Rabbit learns to like a different way of life. Vivid colors and expressive details in the illustrations pair nicely with the humorous and repetitive nature of the text, making this a fun read for children of all ages.

I absolutely love this book! It is an excellent read aloud because the plot revolves around Rabbit’s reading and bringing others closer together. Asher uses several literary devices to captivate the reader. For instance, several phrases are repeated throughout the book, emphasizing text with different placement on the page, and her word choice invites readers to express feelings. The art definitely enhances and extends the text and allows the readers to have a greater understanding of the characters and plot.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet simple children's picture book except I hated the illustrations of Rabbit which are weird and don't have a Rabbit look. Rabbit lives a simple life in his home inside the hollow of an old tree and the illustrations show how cozy it is. Lovely! He lives a simple life alone and at night he eats his dinner, tidies up, and reads himself a story. One rainy night Froggie shows up in a storm and takes refuge from the weather in Rabbit's home. He listens to the story Rabbit reads aloud and is so delighted by it that he shows up again and again and adds to what he does each night- making snacks, making a cozy nest out of pillows and inviting his whole family which includes dozens of frogs- until Rabbit runs them off. But then Rabbit finds he is missing something at storytime at night! This is a very appealing story and told simply and beautifully.

[Elizabeth S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seen as an isolated book, this is a fun little story with interesting pictures. It was enjoyable to read. I gave it three stars because it is a good book.

The problem I have is that it joins the overwhelming ranks of today's books and movies and TV shows that teach the "moral" that an organized life is boring even if you think you like it. If one just gives disorder a try (or has it thrust upon one), one finds that one likes it. Now this is not to say that there isn't anyone who needs to loosen up a bit. But it seems to me that there are far more in today's society who need to take more responsibility and do less flying-by-the-seat-of-one's-pants. Wow, that was a real soap-box moment.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each night Rabbit cooks for himself, cleans up for himself, and reads a story to himself. On one evening, Froggie comes knock-knockety-knocking at Rabbit's door and decides to invite himself in to listen to Rabbit's story. Each night thereafter, Froggie appears once again to hear a story but first he wants to have a snack, or next to lounge on a pillow until eventually he brings his entire family over to hear Rabbit's story. Rabbit sees this as way to much and tells Froggie he will have to go! As Rabbit returns to his reading he determines that things are just not right and something is defiantly missing or better yet someone. Cute story about Rabbit changing his ways and the benefits of shared stories.

[Latosha Finch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a rabbit who reads to himself at the end of each day. One particular day, Froggie comes over to hear Rabbit read. Froggie returns again the next few evenings. One evening Froggie brought his whole family. Rabbit was frustrated with Froggie and said there were too many frogs. This story can be used for students at an instructional level. Teacher can model utilizing context clues in order to determine the unknown words in the story. This is a story that students can read for fun, because the Rabbit reads for fun.

[Jess Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute little story! The illustrations really bring out the characters and make you see it in action. The facial expressions on the characters help you really connect and understand how they are feeling and acting in the story! The repetition in the story is great as well for you are able to get your children to read along with you and stay engaged. Read many many times to my nanny kids and they just adored froggie and rabbit! It got them laughing and then saying the words along with the book!