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A Froggy Fable
An unexpected adventure changes a frog for the better — whether he likes it or not — in a modern-day fable that challenges readers to see their own world in a new way.
Once there was a frog who lived under a rock by himself.
Every day he did the same thing.
Swimming to the pond to get breakfast, jumping onto a log to enjoy the sun, heading back to crawl under his rock again — this is one frog who likes to keep to his routine. So when some noisy otters and blue jays move in, and a giant pine crashes into the pond and messes things up, this frog is none too pleased. Still, that's nothing compared to his shock when a jar descends from above and he's whisked away in the hands of a little boy, only to find himself lost and alone in a strange new place. Now our frog's on a journey full of many dangers — and many wonders, too. Will he ever see his familiar pond again?
Once there was a frog who lived under a rock by himself.
Every day he did the same thing.
Swimming to the pond to get breakfast, jumping onto a log to enjoy the sun, heading back to crawl under his rock again — this is one frog who likes to keep to his routine. So when some noisy otters and blue jays move in, and a giant pine crashes into the pond and messes things up, this frog is none too pleased. Still, that's nothing compared to his shock when a jar descends from above and he's whisked away in the hands of a little boy, only to find himself lost and alone in a strange new place. Now our frog's on a journey full of many dangers — and many wonders, too. Will he ever see his familiar pond again?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2005
5 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
John Lechner
9 books18 followersRecalling his childhood, John Lechner says, "Our house was always filled with art, music and creativity. We wrote plays, formed poetry clubs, painted murals, planted gardens, kept rabbits, built puppets, and invented games." John went on to study art and creative writing at Carnegie Mellon University, and has been telling stories his whole life.
John's first picture book was A FROGGY FABLE, the tale of a solitary frog that becomes frustrated by the changing world around him. Birds, otters, and falling trees seem to invade his quiet pond. "This story grew out of my own experiences," the author notes, "and I hope
readers will take away their own personal meaning from the story."
John's picture book THE CLEVER STICK is the story of an ordinary stick who find his voice.
John is also the author of STICKY BURR: ADVENTURES IN BURRWOOD FOREST, the story of a little burr who has extraordinary adventures with his forest friends. Blending elements of a comic book and a picture book, it received the 2010 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award from the Oregon Association of School Libraries. The adventures of Sticky Burr continue in STICKY BURR: THE PRICKLY PERIL, which was shortlisted for the Massachusetts Book Awards. Visit the Sticky Burr website for more stories and games: http://www.stickyburr.com
In addition to being an author and illustrator, John is an animator, puppeteer, musician and interactive designer. He works as an Art Director at FableVision Studios in Boston, a children's media company. He is currently working on several new projects.
John's first picture book was A FROGGY FABLE, the tale of a solitary frog that becomes frustrated by the changing world around him. Birds, otters, and falling trees seem to invade his quiet pond. "This story grew out of my own experiences," the author notes, "and I hope
readers will take away their own personal meaning from the story."
John's picture book THE CLEVER STICK is the story of an ordinary stick who find his voice.
John is also the author of STICKY BURR: ADVENTURES IN BURRWOOD FOREST, the story of a little burr who has extraordinary adventures with his forest friends. Blending elements of a comic book and a picture book, it received the 2010 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award from the Oregon Association of School Libraries. The adventures of Sticky Burr continue in STICKY BURR: THE PRICKLY PERIL, which was shortlisted for the Massachusetts Book Awards. Visit the Sticky Burr website for more stories and games: http://www.stickyburr.com
In addition to being an author and illustrator, John is an animator, puppeteer, musician and interactive designer. He works as an Art Director at FableVision Studios in Boston, a children's media company. He is currently working on several new projects.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 5, 2020
“It was a simple life, but he liked it because it was always the same.”
Frog doesn’t like it when his pond starts to change: otters moving in and splashing around and blue jays making all kind of noise. A tree even falls in his pond, so he retreats to his hole. Then one day, a jar comes down over the frog and he is “whisked away in the hands of a young boy.” Luckily, the bike hits a rock and the jar goes flying, freeing the frog. But he was no idea where he is. “Weeks went by, and the frog encountered many dangers ... and many wonders.” And when he returns home, he is so happy to see his pond and the otters and the blue jays and even the tree.
Maybe change isn’t so bad, you just need to know how to handle it.
Frog doesn’t like it when his pond starts to change: otters moving in and splashing around and blue jays making all kind of noise. A tree even falls in his pond, so he retreats to his hole. Then one day, a jar comes down over the frog and he is “whisked away in the hands of a young boy.” Luckily, the bike hits a rock and the jar goes flying, freeing the frog. But he was no idea where he is. “Weeks went by, and the frog encountered many dangers ... and many wonders.” And when he returns home, he is so happy to see his pond and the otters and the blue jays and even the tree.
Maybe change isn’t so bad, you just need to know how to handle it.
April 3, 2018
Yep, changes happen!
April 14, 2019
Genre: Traditional Literature
Unique Feature: I read this aloud to a group of second grade students in their "Reading Street" textbook, and it had many unique features such as highlighted vocabulary, genre definition, and explanations from the author as to how the book came to be.
Recommended Grade Levels: 1 & up
Unique Feature: I read this aloud to a group of second grade students in their "Reading Street" textbook, and it had many unique features such as highlighted vocabulary, genre definition, and explanations from the author as to how the book came to be.
Recommended Grade Levels: 1 & up
January 6, 2012
As a family, we loved A Froggy Fable. Beautiful illustrations matched the simple story of how to cope with and embrace change. The courage and determination, sadness and joy experienced by the frog enabled us to discuss the subject in more depth.
February 10, 2016
Wonderful picture book about a frog and how he comes to accept change.
Good story to read to any kid or adult going through change and are dreading the change. Good warm and fuzzy feel good message, a little long for reading in a story time though.
Good story to read to any kid or adult going through change and are dreading the change. Good warm and fuzzy feel good message, a little long for reading in a story time though.
December 1, 2008
I love this book! I think it is the story of my life.
February 8, 2009
Picture book
Love the simplistic illustration!! What a great story about how change can be good. So gooooood. Pick it up at your library.
Love the simplistic illustration!! What a great story about how change can be good. So gooooood. Pick it up at your library.
April 20, 2009
Good story for discussing how change can be a good thing.
June 5, 2015
Froggy has to deal with change. After a life threatening event Froggy embraces change and the beauty of a world that is not static.
June 8, 2009
A book about a frog who finds change difficult. :)
November 17, 2009
A little bit preachy, but the 6yo liked it. "It's great that he tried new things."
May 1, 2011
Loved the frog, loved the message.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews