Frog in Winter

Kikker

by Max Velthuijs

A mini hardcover of this popular winter story about the evergreen Frog.

One morning, Frog wakes up knowing that something has gone wrong with the world. Everything is completely white, and it is very cold outside. Much too cold for Frog to take part in any of the fun that his friends are having with the ice and snow. It’s even too cold for him to enjoy a snowball fight! After all, he is just a bare frog – he has neither fur nor feathers. Eventually the other animals band together to equip Frog with warm clothing and extra firewood. But nothing will really cheer Frog up as much as the arrival of Spring!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Max Velthuijs was a celebrated Dutch illustrator, painter, and author best known for his beloved Frog picture book series. Although he began illustrating children’s books relatively late in life, his work quickly gained international acclaim. His first major success came with A is een aapje in 1964, and he achieved global recognition with Frog in Love, published in 1989 by Andersen Press after it was initially rejected in Europe. The Frog series, which eventually included over twenty titles, became known for its gentle, heartfelt storytelling and philosophical depth, earning Velthuijs comparisons to modern-day fables.
Throughout his career, Velthuijs collaborated with prominent publishers and saw his books translated and performed in various media, including theater. In 2004, he was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for writing—one of the highest honors in children’s literature—for his enduring contribution to the field. In his acceptance speech, Velthuijs humbly reflected on the emotional complexity of his characters, acknowledging the mystery of creative inspiration. He passed away in his hometown of The Hague in 2005.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This poor frog. He wakes up one morning to find winter has arrived in full. Frozen water, snow everwhere, etc. All his furry and feathered friends are loving the change but for Frog it is much too much cold.

The kids felt so bad for the frog in this book. It was adorable! The strength of friendship that this book shows is just wonderful. The art is simple and they didn't seems to care for the way the frog was drawn. Even going so far as to say "Kermit the Lizard who lost his tail." Another kid thought is was Gumby. But otherwise it was highly enjoyed.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like A Girl in Winter, Frog in Winter is fine, good even, but not really going to be a favorite. In both cases I have no specific criticism, I just wasn't blown away, or moved, or anything. This was cute and I liked the frog's Kermitty expressions.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frog experiences significant difficulties in adjusting to his first winter in this third entry in Max Velthuijs' Frog series, originally published in Dutch as Kikker in de kou. Waking up one cold morning, our ranine hero wanders out into the white landscape, becoming ever more distressed and disoriented. His friends, who are all better suited to this environment, fail to grasp the depth of his trouble at first, but, having discovered him collapsed in the snow, bring him home and nurse him back to health...

Like the first two Frog books - Frog in Love and Frog and the Birdsong - this charming picture-book explores an important issue in a non-didactic way, offering a gentle and reassuring take on a significant problem. Sometimes, we just don't listen to one another, and through that omission, we fail to grasp the gravity of a situation. This latter is particularly true of children, who may not understand all the dangers around them. Frog In Winter sees Pig, Duck and Hare making that mistake, initially, by failing to appreciate just how distressed Frog is, when it comes to the cold weather, but also sees them putting their error right, and helping to come up with a solution to the problem. With an engaging narrative, and sweetly adorable illustrations - Velthuijs' artwork has really been growing on me, as I read through more of his books! - this is a title I would recommend to young readers who have difficult adjusting to a particular season, or who have been ill.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een van de favoriete voorleesboeken. Niet alleen van mij en mijn dochters maar ook van alle kindjes die in de huisbibliotheek komen.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kikker in de kou


Perfect om te lezen op een koude, sneeuwachtige winterdag!

[Erika Pensaert · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 ✨

[Matthys · Rating 5 out of 5]

barre tijden voor kikker

[Shannon Nicole Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious! And sweet too. I really enjoyed this one.

[Floor · Rating 5 out of 5]

They wrote a book about me.

[Sophie Deltenre · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Ik heb het koud". Miss gurl koop gewoon een trui!

Met dank aan Noa de Jong voor het voorlezen.


Ik stond echt niet onder dwang om dit te typen ofzo.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this touching story, Frog's friends fail to see how he is suffering in the cold winter until it's almost too late. Fortunately, Duck, Pig and Hare are able to rally round and help him in time.

I actually like the English translation better than the original Dutch because the translator choose to use the phrase "bare frog" instead of "naked frog". It just made it more poignant.

Read it to an almost 3 year old who loved it.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Translated from Dutch by Anderson Press (read up on Klaus Flugge - he's fab), this picturebook is steeped in humanity and has a philosophically humorous approach to life. He is economic with his words and lets the pictures do the talking - it's amazing how much expression comes from a single line.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used google translator to help me read it since all my library had was the Spanish version. :) I can so agree with toad!!!

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frog in Winter (kikker) by Max Velthujis - Children’s Illustrated colour picture book-This story is about arrival of winter and reaction of frog, duck, pig and rabbit reaction differently from frog. Winter brings snow fall on the land. Frogs views from his window and finds that the whole area is covered with thick cover of snow. He jumps from his window to enjoy the weather but he finds it difficult moves his arms and feet. He thinks that something is wrong with the world. He meets his friend duck who is skating. Duck folds her muffler on his neck & helps him to skate but he is unable to skate because of snow. He meets his friend pig who is carrying dry wood to heat his house. His friend rabbit is also enjoying the winter ice and snow. Frog slips on the snow. His friends find him and take them to Pig’s cottage. He rests, eats. He is covered with a sweater prepared by the pig. Frog takes some time to recover. Frog understands that nature has not provided him with warm wings like that of duck nor think skin like pig. Still they remain friends. During this period, spring arrives.! Coloured illustrations a child’s attention and charm him to continue with the text. I have read this book in Hindi language. Message friendship and love.

[Merel · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Kikker in de kou' geschreven door Max Velthuijs; een leuk voorleesboek voor de kleintjes!
Het verhaal gaat over kikker en zijn vriendjes. Het is winter, het vriest en het is ontzettend koud.
Veel te koud voor kikker! Zijn vriendjes hebben allemaal wel iets dat hen warm houdt, zo heeft Eend zijn veren, Varkentje zijn speklaagje en Haas zijn bontvacht. Helaas heeft Kikker alleen zijn gladde kikkerhuidje en bevriest hij dus zowat van de kou.
Inhoudelijk vond ik dit verhaal persoonlijk niet heel interessant. De de doelgroep daarentegen was juist ontzettend enthousiast en leefde erg mee met arme Kikker.

[Catherine Pinkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Translated from Dutch.
This is a lovely picture book. Interesting story and beautifully illustrated. Think young children will find this fun to read in Winter. Overall themes og friendship and kindness

[Angela Lenetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most poignant homage to depression—and the overcoming of it —that exists on paper today. It is whimsically illustrated, simply worded, and a treat for all ages. One of my favorites for more than thirty years.

[Rebecka · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book about friendship.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCbHK...

[Judith Jaggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mooi prentenboek, de eenvoud, de emoties van kikker, het verhaal. Super voor kinderen.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

[Bella]

We like that Frog stayed in bed to keep warm and all his friends looked after him.

[Zazie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute story. Something a little kid would enjoy for sure. Get this for the young children in your life. You can find this story free on YouTube as well, though.

[Kristal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Frog can’t handle the winter like his friends due to the limitations of his body. Luckily his friends love him the way he is and care for him and even make him comfortable. So sweet.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute and lovely illustrations

[Myrthe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Schattig.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frog gets through the winter with the help of his friends.

One morning Frog wakes up to discover winter has set in. Because he is a frog — "a bare frog", he is cold and miserable and has trouble adjusting. Frog encounters various other animals who, because they have physical adaptations for cold weather, are unable to understand Frog’s predicament.

It is not until the other animals find Frog collapsed in the snow that his friends finally begin to understand what the problem is. And with their care and assistance, Frog survives the winter and rejoices at the arrival of spring.

This is a strange story. Frog is not hibernating and is wandering around virtually naked in the snow, and yet none of the characters, including Frog, can spot the inevitable outcome. My child and I kept expecting Frog to realize that he was supposed to be hibernating, but he never did, which is the reason he almost died. Frog also never dresses in winter appropriate clothing, continuing to wear nothing except a pair of shorts, which is why he was always "freezing". Even after his friends intervene, he only wears a sweater with his shorts and bare feet.

This story does show the common occurrence of others not understanding, dismissing, and/or downplaying a problem because it is an experience they don’t personally have.

[Mips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nederlandse titel "Kikker in de kou"

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor frog...at least his friends are loyal and help him through his winter troubles.

[Cisz Geverink - Strasters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really LOVE frog!!!!