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The Prince of the Pond #1
Der Prinz vom Teich
From the author of The Magic Circle , Zel , and Stones in Water.
Who is that handsome green stranger? None of the pond dwellers has ever seen the peculiar new frog before. They found him sitting in a pile of human clothes outside the hag’s house. What a strange frog he is! He gets his feet tangled when he tries to jump, he refuses to eat bugs, and he can’t tell a toad from a frog. He calls himself “De Fawg Pin,” and he’s about to turn pond life topsy-turvy!
“The frog prince motif has inspired many books, but few as original as this novel.”— Booklist
“An animal fantasy that fairy tale readers will relish.”— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books , starred review
Who is that handsome green stranger? None of the pond dwellers has ever seen the peculiar new frog before. They found him sitting in a pile of human clothes outside the hag’s house. What a strange frog he is! He gets his feet tangled when he tries to jump, he refuses to eat bugs, and he can’t tell a toad from a frog. He calls himself “De Fawg Pin,” and he’s about to turn pond life topsy-turvy!
“The frog prince motif has inspired many books, but few as original as this novel.”— Booklist
“An animal fantasy that fairy tale readers will relish.”— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books , starred review
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
15 people are currently reading
592 people want to read
About the author
Donna Jo Napoli
138 books1,112 followersDonna Jo Napoli is both a linguist and a writer of children's and YA fiction. She loves to garden and bake bread, and even dreams of moving to the woods and becoming a naturalist.
At various times her house and yard have been filled with dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits. For thirteen years she had a cat named Taxi, and liked to go outside and call, "Taxi!" to make the neighbors wonder. But dear dear Taxi died in 2009.
She has five children, seven grandchildren, and currently lives outside Philadelphia. She received her BA in mathematics in 1970 and her Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures in 1973, both from Harvard University, then did a postdoctoral year in Linguistics at MIT. She has since taught linguistics at Smith College, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Georgetown University, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and Swarthmore College. It was at UM that she earned tenure (in 1981) and became a full professor (in 1984). She has held visiting positions at the University of Queensland (Australia), the University of Geneva (Switzerland), Capital Normal University of Beijing (China), the University of Newcastle (UK), the University of Venice at Ca' Foscari (Italy), and the Siena School for the Liberal Arts (Italy) as well as lectured at the University of Sydney (Australia), Macquarie University (Australia), the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), and the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa) and held a fellowship at Trinity College Dublin. In the area of linguistics she has authored, coauthored, edited, or coedited 17 books, ranging from theoretical linguistics to practical matters in language structure and use, including matters of interest to d/Deaf people. She has held grants and fellowships from numerous sources, including the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, the Sloan Foundation.
At various times her house and yard have been filled with dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits. For thirteen years she had a cat named Taxi, and liked to go outside and call, "Taxi!" to make the neighbors wonder. But dear dear Taxi died in 2009.
She has five children, seven grandchildren, and currently lives outside Philadelphia. She received her BA in mathematics in 1970 and her Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures in 1973, both from Harvard University, then did a postdoctoral year in Linguistics at MIT. She has since taught linguistics at Smith College, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Georgetown University, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and Swarthmore College. It was at UM that she earned tenure (in 1981) and became a full professor (in 1984). She has held visiting positions at the University of Queensland (Australia), the University of Geneva (Switzerland), Capital Normal University of Beijing (China), the University of Newcastle (UK), the University of Venice at Ca' Foscari (Italy), and the Siena School for the Liberal Arts (Italy) as well as lectured at the University of Sydney (Australia), Macquarie University (Australia), the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), and the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa) and held a fellowship at Trinity College Dublin. In the area of linguistics she has authored, coauthored, edited, or coedited 17 books, ranging from theoretical linguistics to practical matters in language structure and use, including matters of interest to d/Deaf people. She has held grants and fellowships from numerous sources, including the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, the Sloan Foundation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
February 12, 2023
Why I chose to read this book:
1. when my esthetician told me that this was her favorite read-aloud story from her time in elementary school, I just had to add it to my WTR list; and,
2. February 2023 is my "Books For Young and Old Alike" Month.
Praises:
1. a humorous yet bittersweet reimagining of the Frog Prince's life as a frog (Pin - aka De Fawg Pin) told from the POV of Jade (a female frog whom Pin befriends and eventually names);
2. through Jade, the reader learns a lot about frogs as she guides Pin, with his heartwarming speech patterns, through the expectations of being a frog; and,
3. Jade and Pin's characters are so well-developed! Jade's frustrations and patience, combined with Pin's confusion and morality, lead them to their love for one another, which warmed my heart and reduced me to tears!
Overall Thoughts:
Move over Harry! Here's a Prince with a much more interesting story to tell!
Seriously, I can't believe that I've never heard of this story before, even though it was published in 1992! Any story that can make me laugh and cry deserves a full 5 stars!
Recommendation?
Whether you are interested in frogs, fairy tale retellings, or just enjoy a good story, I highly recommend this "princely" tale! Excellent for a read-aloud for ages 8-12!
1. when my esthetician told me that this was her favorite read-aloud story from her time in elementary school, I just had to add it to my WTR list; and,
2. February 2023 is my "Books For Young and Old Alike" Month.
Praises:
1. a humorous yet bittersweet reimagining of the Frog Prince's life as a frog (Pin - aka De Fawg Pin) told from the POV of Jade (a female frog whom Pin befriends and eventually names);
2. through Jade, the reader learns a lot about frogs as she guides Pin, with his heartwarming speech patterns, through the expectations of being a frog; and,
3. Jade and Pin's characters are so well-developed! Jade's frustrations and patience, combined with Pin's confusion and morality, lead them to their love for one another, which warmed my heart and reduced me to tears!
Overall Thoughts:
Move over Harry! Here's a Prince with a much more interesting story to tell!
Seriously, I can't believe that I've never heard of this story before, even though it was published in 1992! Any story that can make me laugh and cry deserves a full 5 stars!
Recommendation?
Whether you are interested in frogs, fairy tale retellings, or just enjoy a good story, I highly recommend this "princely" tale! Excellent for a read-aloud for ages 8-12!
May 31, 2010
GAAAAHHHH … Okay, it was driving me crazy trying to remember what this book was called. My third or fourth grade teacher read it to us … maybe more than one teacher read it. I don't remember. I loved this book, though––a very sweet story about how, before he turns back into a person, the frog prince goes off and has a relationship with a girl frog. Actually, the end was very sad because he turned back into a person. ANYWAY I really loved this book when I was a kid. Great concept, nice story. I looooved it. <3
November 16, 2013
*THIS REVIEW MAY OR MAY NOT BE SPOILERY. I'M NOT SURE, SO JUST BE WARNED. JUST IN CASE THAT'S SOMETHING YOU'RE SENSITIVE TO.*
Honestly: this book really upset me.
It was great at the beginning. I loved the viewpoint of the girl frog (later named Jade). I loved the exploration of what the time would be like of the frog prince actually being a frog. I loved the quirkiness of him not being able to say words correctly. I loved the development of the characters. It was paced well. It was written well. The illustrations were great.
And then the last two pages.
Actually, really, it was just that last page. It killed me. I tried reading another story, or writing my own story, but I just couldn't. I just want to curl up in a ball and bawl my eyes out. All of the feels, guys. It's just. It's just. More than I can handle. I'm so angry. It's so unfair. I just. I just. I want to sob, guys. I want to sob.
Excuse me while I go vomit up my lungs.
I don't even know why I'm having such a vitriol reaction to this book. It is just really causing a lot of emotions. I have to stop now. I really just need to go cry.
Honestly: this book really upset me.
It was great at the beginning. I loved the viewpoint of the girl frog (later named Jade). I loved the exploration of what the time would be like of the frog prince actually being a frog. I loved the quirkiness of him not being able to say words correctly. I loved the development of the characters. It was paced well. It was written well. The illustrations were great.
And then the last two pages.
Actually, really, it was just that last page. It killed me. I tried reading another story, or writing my own story, but I just couldn't. I just want to curl up in a ball and bawl my eyes out. All of the feels, guys. It's just. It's just. More than I can handle. I'm so angry. It's so unfair. I just. I just. I want to sob, guys. I want to sob.
Excuse me while I go vomit up my lungs.
I don't even know why I'm having such a vitriol reaction to this book. It is just really causing a lot of emotions. I have to stop now. I really just need to go cry.
September 18, 2020
Sept 2020 - second read-through, as a refresh so I can read the sequel. Gosh, what a touching story. Read in less than an hour at night when I couldn't sleep. I love that it's told from the female frog's perspective. It's tender but also gritty and real, and entirely beautiful. And I didn't realize on the first read-through how educational it is, if you want to know about animals that live around ponds! Can't wait to read the sequel.
January 7, 2009
Listening to the deep, belly laughs of my son as I read this book to him, making room on the bed for the whole family as they begged to hear the story - these are the greatest compliments that I can pay to this wonderfully witty book.
December 31, 2008
Cute, enjoyable retelling of The Frog Prince. The story follows De Fawg Pin (horrible speech problem from a large frog tongue), after he is turned into a frog by the hag. He learns to be a frog from a girl frog (Jade, whom he names at one point because frogs don't usually have names.) They make a frog family which is also unusual since frogs don't form attachments. Once your egg is fertilized you are on your own. By trying to save the life of his son Jimmy, Pin is accidentally turned back into a prince.
Not my favorite Napoli book, but cute and fast and a good family read.
Not my favorite Napoli book, but cute and fast and a good family read.
February 19, 2012
My dad and me love this book.We have read the sequle to it and are planing to read the pixie of puddle,the third book in the sieres.
May 19, 2020
This book is, well, let's face it... Eh!!!!! I enjoyed the humorous parts of the book SOOOOOOmuch, that I didn't want to give it a 1 star review, but it is not a great book, it is kind of boring!!! It is NOT relatable nor inviting. Yes, it was funny, but other than that it was a big thumbs down 👎👎👎
NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!!! 👎👎👎👎👎👎
NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!!! 👎👎👎👎👎👎
January 19, 2023
This is one of my favorite books. It’s a twist on a fairy tale and a wonderful education about nature and the life of frogs. It’s a romance a love story about a prince who turns into a frog and has to learn how to be a frog with the help of a bewildered and patient female frog.
October 6, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. We have all heard how the wicked witch has turned the prince into a frog and how he changes back into a prince when a princess kiss him but what happens in between. I’m this adorable story Pin the prince who is now a frog learns the ways of the pond, meets a lady frog with whom he has many adventures with. They even mate and have a family. Pin is finally happy and has let go of this old life. Of course there is a wist and Pin has to re-exam his life again. Can there be a win win for everyone?
September 24, 2016
Great read aloud for upper primary. This book takes the story of the prince being turned into a frog by a witch and begins at the moment of transformation. The prince has never been a frog before and has to learn how to jump, eat and speak with his very long tongue. Guided by a friendly frog he brings his understanding of the world to this new experience and as a result adds to the lives of the other frogs.
September 16, 2010
Your never too old for child like fairy tales. This book is what made me grow into the bookworm I am today. This book goes deeper into the story. It's about the prince's point of view as a frog. A female frog hops by and see him. To her he is the biggest dummy for being in the wild open, frogs don't do that. She teaches him frog values and he teaches her human values, like love.
October 17, 2010
Great for a read aloud! Students enjoy the fairy tale aspect of the story, being that a prince is turned into a frog...however, there is less emphasis placed on the fairy and more on the tale. Basically, the story starts off like any other fairy tale, but the plot shines through and takes the reader on the main character's personal journey. Fun story!
March 26, 2014
I absolutely love this book one of my favorite children's novel a wonderful and refreshing twist on the frog prince tale. You not only enjoy the story but learn about the lives of frogs. Entertaining and educational, with endearing language. Pick this book up and be sure to share it with your kids.
September 10, 2011
Charming and delightful story. A princess' view of the a classic story. Great for young readers, offers lots of extras - topics to talk about off point from the main story line. Funny, a little sad, and very engaging.
September 5, 2008
This book was great! I was not looking forward to reading it and was surprised at how funny it was.
January 9, 2010
Delightful retelling of this fairy tale. Best to read it aloud.
May 24, 2011
A surprising delightful read!
February 23, 2012
This one struck my heart in a way the frog prince story never has before. Well done -- very well done.
January 5, 2015
I loved this book. It was beautiful and romantic and heartbreaking. And it was all with frogs!
October 30, 2015
read aloud with the 7 year old. We LOVED this book!
July 5, 2016
Just did a reread of this and all I can say is this:
LOVE IS DEAD
SHUT IT DOWN
FUCK EVERYTHING
This book traumatized me when I was 11 and as a 31 year old, I have to say NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
LOVE IS DEAD
SHUT IT DOWN
FUCK EVERYTHING
This book traumatized me when I was 11 and as a 31 year old, I have to say NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2024
I read this book when I was a kid in the 90s and loved it. I have read many books growing up and The Prince of the Pond has always stayed with me. Here are my thoughts on the novel.
A lot of negative reviewers seem to hate the sad ending but I am going to defend it because it was reading books like The Prince of the Pond that helped me to cope with loss and to understand what it means to love and be loved. I also like that the book explores what it means to be human from the perspective of frogs and that is interesting. I don’t really see any way that the author could get her themes across without the bittersweet ending. If Pin and Jade just lived happily ever after as frogs or as humans, the whole book will be “so what” and the emotional points throughout the story will serve no purpose and are basically moot. What is the point of a story that doesn’t move its readers? If you want something lighthearted and easy to digest, go read the original Frog Prince.
Some folks also complained the book is boring. While I think the book is fascinating, I can see why some people may feel the plot doesn’t go anywhere. Frog life is not very exciting and there is a lot of teaching moments where the narrator, Jade, is showing Pin (the prince) about frog ecosystems, eating and mating. This is very important to the story to show the development of the two characters as Pin, struggling to maintain his humanity, comes to accept life as a frog but on his own terms and much to the chagrin and amusement of Jade. Being just a basic frog in the beginning, Jade undergoes changes being around Pin so much that she becomes more human and develops something that is not natural for frogs: love. As transformation is a theme here, it is important to point out that the goal was never about Pin’s physical transformation back to human like in The Frog Prince fairytale, but the transformation of Jade’s character which cannot be understated in the final heart wrenching events of the book.
My last thought is this: I could write a deep analysis of the novel and go over why this book is so good and the few things that didn’t work for the story but I am going to save it for booktube. There’s a lot to unpack here even if the novel is juvenile fiction and quite simple in plot. I highly recommend the novel to older teens and adults. Maybe back in the day, I’d recommend this book to kids but these days, I do not think many children in the age group that this book targets would have the basic emotional and intellectual capacity to grasp the themes of this novel. They may not appreciate the story. If you look up “gen alpha can’t read” and iPad parents on YouTube or TikTok, you’ll understand what I’m saying. It’s like we’re living in Brave New World and it’s as scary as 1984.
Peace!
A lot of negative reviewers seem to hate the sad ending but I am going to defend it because it was reading books like The Prince of the Pond that helped me to cope with loss and to understand what it means to love and be loved. I also like that the book explores what it means to be human from the perspective of frogs and that is interesting. I don’t really see any way that the author could get her themes across without the bittersweet ending. If Pin and Jade just lived happily ever after as frogs or as humans, the whole book will be “so what” and the emotional points throughout the story will serve no purpose and are basically moot. What is the point of a story that doesn’t move its readers? If you want something lighthearted and easy to digest, go read the original Frog Prince.
Some folks also complained the book is boring. While I think the book is fascinating, I can see why some people may feel the plot doesn’t go anywhere. Frog life is not very exciting and there is a lot of teaching moments where the narrator, Jade, is showing Pin (the prince) about frog ecosystems, eating and mating. This is very important to the story to show the development of the two characters as Pin, struggling to maintain his humanity, comes to accept life as a frog but on his own terms and much to the chagrin and amusement of Jade. Being just a basic frog in the beginning, Jade undergoes changes being around Pin so much that she becomes more human and develops something that is not natural for frogs: love. As transformation is a theme here, it is important to point out that the goal was never about Pin’s physical transformation back to human like in The Frog Prince fairytale, but the transformation of Jade’s character which cannot be understated in the final heart wrenching events of the book.
My last thought is this: I could write a deep analysis of the novel and go over why this book is so good and the few things that didn’t work for the story but I am going to save it for booktube. There’s a lot to unpack here even if the novel is juvenile fiction and quite simple in plot. I highly recommend the novel to older teens and adults. Maybe back in the day, I’d recommend this book to kids but these days, I do not think many children in the age group that this book targets would have the basic emotional and intellectual capacity to grasp the themes of this novel. They may not appreciate the story. If you look up “gen alpha can’t read” and iPad parents on YouTube or TikTok, you’ll understand what I’m saying. It’s like we’re living in Brave New World and it’s as scary as 1984.
Peace!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2021
This is a cute story, but I have a few qualms:
#1: In the beginning he gets turned into a frog 🐸 he knows he was once a human, and yet when he tells Jade he used to have a father or used to go fishing or as eaten lobster before she scoffs and doesn't believe him. She says frogs don't do those things so he must be lying. He didn't once go I am a human! Even if she didn't believe him at least it would have been said.
#2: Jade learns how to understand his speech. For one don't you think he would get used to his tongue and be able to talk after a few weeks of being a frog? Also when he talks, speech impediment or not, it's broken English. He'll say Turtle dum dum! And Jade will go, yes turtles are kind of dumb. She speaks all eloquently and on full sentences. Even with his tongue messing up some of his words he'd still talk I'm full sentences. Also she figures out all of the words he trying to say except for Pin. She just assumes that's his name and he doesn't object and go no that's not my name I am a PRINCE! It's like once he turned into a frog he got kind of stupid.
#3 Lastly the ending was abrupt. It felt so unresolved! He turns back into a Prince and calls out to Jade whom can hear and understands him, but she doesn't connect the dots that the Prince is indeed Pin. Then his wife and children all leap away and I guess the prince will go living as a human.... I felt a little cheated!!! I was hoping that a spell would happen that would make both him, Jade, and Jimmy humans and that could love together as humans. Then he would have to teach her how to be a human and that would have been interesting. The ending is basically everyone go back to their former lives like nothing ever happened!
It was a quick read and it was funny at times. I really like the illustrations. They were hilarious at times 😂 and really gave to a feel of what was happening at that moment.
#1: In the beginning he gets turned into a frog 🐸 he knows he was once a human, and yet when he tells Jade he used to have a father or used to go fishing or as eaten lobster before she scoffs and doesn't believe him. She says frogs don't do those things so he must be lying. He didn't once go I am a human! Even if she didn't believe him at least it would have been said.
#2: Jade learns how to understand his speech. For one don't you think he would get used to his tongue and be able to talk after a few weeks of being a frog? Also when he talks, speech impediment or not, it's broken English. He'll say Turtle dum dum! And Jade will go, yes turtles are kind of dumb. She speaks all eloquently and on full sentences. Even with his tongue messing up some of his words he'd still talk I'm full sentences. Also she figures out all of the words he trying to say except for Pin. She just assumes that's his name and he doesn't object and go no that's not my name I am a PRINCE! It's like once he turned into a frog he got kind of stupid.
#3 Lastly the ending was abrupt. It felt so unresolved! He turns back into a Prince and calls out to Jade whom can hear and understands him, but she doesn't connect the dots that the Prince is indeed Pin. Then his wife and children all leap away and I guess the prince will go living as a human.... I felt a little cheated!!! I was hoping that a spell would happen that would make both him, Jade, and Jimmy humans and that could love together as humans. Then he would have to teach her how to be a human and that would have been interesting. The ending is basically everyone go back to their former lives like nothing ever happened!
It was a quick read and it was funny at times. I really like the illustrations. They were hilarious at times 😂 and really gave to a feel of what was happening at that moment.
August 6, 2024
The story of the Frog Prince but told from the perspective of the the frogs. The prince was turned into a from by the old hag and must adjust to pond life and to talking like a frog. It is more difficult than it seems. He can't make certain sounds so the Frog Prince sounds like De Fawg Pin. We meet Jade The Frog Prince's mate and then the froglets. This book is the first in a trilogy.
I loved the quirkiness of The Frog Prince not being able to say words correctly. I loved the development of the characters. The pacing and writing were great. It was written well. The illustrations were great.
For teachers: It obviously lends itself to comparing to the original frog prince fairy tale: Frogged by Vivian Vande Velde, The Frog Prince Continued by Jon Scieszka, The Frog Prince by Jess Stockham are just a few titles you can have your students to compare and contrast.
I loved the quirkiness of him not being able to say words correctly. I loved the development of the characters. It was paced well. It was written well. The illustrations were great.
Students can study the life cycle of a frog
Students can also study pond life.
I loved the quirkiness of The Frog Prince not being able to say words correctly. I loved the development of the characters. The pacing and writing were great. It was written well. The illustrations were great.
For teachers: It obviously lends itself to comparing to the original frog prince fairy tale: Frogged by Vivian Vande Velde, The Frog Prince Continued by Jon Scieszka, The Frog Prince by Jess Stockham are just a few titles you can have your students to compare and contrast.
I loved the quirkiness of him not being able to say words correctly. I loved the development of the characters. It was paced well. It was written well. The illustrations were great.
Students can study the life cycle of a frog
Students can also study pond life.
January 17, 2018
This was a cute story about a prince who turned into a frog, a funny fiction story about the opposite of the frog prince.
April 14, 2018
A humorous fractured fairytale consisting of a backstory for the Frog Prince. Reading it out loud increases the hilarity for the 7 year old set.
May 20, 2019
I Think a Frog Called Pin in that Book
August 8, 2023
Loved as a kid!
February 16, 2024
did we really need all the froggy-sex-talk?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews