Finley the Frog and the Magical Wishing Flower: A Michigan Nature Story

by Pria Dee, David Lock (Illustrator)

In the lively amphibian town of Croaksville, Finley the frog feels like he’ll never measure up. Smaller than his classmates and slower than his siblings, Finley dreams of hopping higher and swimming faster—just once wanting to fit in. But when he discovers a rare three‑petaled wishing flower that blooms only once every ten years, Finley suddenly has the chance to change everything.

His wishes bring surprising results, and Finley quickly learns that getting what you want isn’t always what you expect. When nonstop rain threatens to flood Croaksville, Finley must rely not on magic, but on courage, kindness, and the strengths he’s had all along. With growing confidence, he steps into a role he never a hero who helps his community when they need him most.

Finley is a heartwarming chapter book that celebrates self‑acceptance, problem‑solving, and the power of looking within. Featuring whimsical watercolor illustrations and fascinating northern leopard frog facts, this story invites young readers to explore themes of resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of being true to yourself.

Perfect for fans of uplifting animal adventures and character‑driven stories, Finley reminds readers that even the smallest frog can make a big difference.

Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2025

About the author

I am an Indian American author and have written several children’s books based on my experiences and observations. I love animals and children and write to combine both my passions.
am working on several children’s books I aim to finish this year.

Reviews

[READER VIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entertaining early chapter book offers important SEL lessons on friendship, community, self-esteem, self-confidence, problem-solving, empathy, and compassion in a way that will engage and delight young readers. The author has an astute understanding of children’s emotions, as evidenced by the characters’ depictions in the book. She puts her love of nature to good use by utilizing animals for her characters – a proven, fun, and effective way to draw children into a story and communicate messages. In addition, the author shares her knowledge of nature in her kid-friendly endnotes, which are packed with information about the Northern leopard frog, the species of the main character, Finley.

Finley is smart, loves to read, and, because of his love of music, is in the Junior Choir. However, Finley lacks self-esteem because he is the smallest frog at school. He does not possess the strength and athletic abilities of his siblings and cousins. And all the other frogs tease him because of his size, except his friend Emma, who accepts him just the way he is.

However, one day Finley discovers a wishing flower, which will grant him 3 wishes. His first wish was to be strong enough to hop higher and swim faster than any other frog. But testing out his new athletic prowess puts Finley in danger, and he must use a second wish to escape a frog-eating water snake and a big crow. Now he has only one wish left – and he wants to use it for “something great.”

Finley has learned to be careful about what he wishes for and to accept that, for now, he is too small to compete with the older frogs. He knows he must keep practicing his jumping and swimming to get better. And he concentrates on what he is good at – singing in the choir. But then Finley’s town experiences a natural disaster, and he is faced with a dilemma. Can Finley bravely rise to the occasion and figure out how to save his community? Check out Finley the Frog and the Magical Wishing Flower to find out if Finley can save the day.

The subject matter, tone, text, and vocabulary are spot on for the target audience age range – 4-9. It can be read alone by new readers. Or it would make a great read-aloud for younger children. Because of its length, it would be best to read over several storytimes. However, since the book is written in chapters, this is easy to do.

The adorable, kid-friendly artwork enhances the book’s overall appeal. The simplicity of the pictures is perfect for the story and audience. The artist does an excellent job of capturing each character’s emotions. The artwork is generously placed throughout the book, breaking up the text so early readers are not intimidated.

In addition, the author has included photos and copious endnotes about the type of frog Finley is – the Northern leopard frog, which is found in the author’s home state of Michigan. The reader learns where they live, what they eat, and how they protect themselves from their enemies. But their numbers are dwindling for several reasons, including pollution, acid rain, and climate change. Efforts to protect them are mentioned.

This charming book teaches children valuable lessons about friendship, community, self-esteem, self-confidence, problem-solving, empathy, and compassion. Using animals as characters creates a sense of separation, giving children space to absorb life lessons without feeling targeted. The endearing, relatable characters, entertaining story, and fun illustrations are sure to make this a book children will delight in. Perfect for educators and parents to use as a springboard for discussing a range of SEL topics, as well as environmental issues mentioned in the endnotes. Highly recommended.

[Kameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.


Finley, a Northern leopard frog, is feeling sad because his small size limits his jumping height and swimming speed, leading to him being teased by other frogs in Croaksville. He wishes he could jump higher and swim faster than all the other frogs, and with a stroke of presumably good luck, his wishes are about to come true.

The wishing flower blooms once every ten years, and Finley was luckily close by when this beautiful, magical flower appeared. The wishing flower had only three petals, each representing a wish for the finder. Once the wish is made, the yellow petal turns purple, signifying that the wish has been granted. Finley knew what his first wish would be: He wanted to be strong, so he could hop higher and swim faster than any other frog. Then, they would have no reason to tease or laugh at him anymore. However, Finley quickly learned to be careful what you wish for because you might regret it. Suspenseful moments plague Finley, causing him to rethink his first wish, and offer readers a chance to weigh in on Finley’s impromptu second wish. Did he make the right choice? Would they, the reader, make the same one? Why or why not?

As for Finley’s third wish, another highly charged scene influences his decision, teaching readers that it is better to give than to receive, or (in other words) it is sometimes best to put the needs of others in front of your own. Finley became the hero of Croaksville, and, most importantly, he learned to accept himself as he is. Those are powerful lessons we should be teaching all our children!

There are a few challenging words for young readers, such as cacophony, so I recommend reading this story with an adult. I also recommend checking out the “All about Northern leopard frogs” pages. It shares interesting facts about the little creatures, such as their unique “calls” and the number of eggs they lay at a time.

Finley the Frog and the Magical Wishing Flower delivers powerful life lessons through suspenseful storytelling and brightly colored illustrations. It promotes positive self-image, empathy, and the importance of making good choices. Amazon’s suggested age group is 3-12. I would reduce that to 3-10. However, regarding the story’s positive message, love thyself, that is ageless.

(Find more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Nature-Filled Adventure with Heart

Pria Dee’s Finley the Frog and the Magical Wishing Flower: A Michigan Nature Story, brought to life with illustrations by David Lock, follows an endearing frog on a journey sparked by curiosity and a touch of magic. Set against the backdrop of Michigan’s natural landscapes, the story introduces Finley as he discovers a mysterious wishing flower and begins to wonder what he truly wants. The narrative blends imagination with a strong sense of place, making the setting feel like an essential part of the adventure.

One of the book’s strengths is how it weaves nature into the storytelling. Young readers are introduced to elements of Michigan wildlife and habitats while following Finley’s experience, making it both engaging and informative. Along the way, the story gently explores themes of gratitude, self-discovery, and appreciating what you already have, giving children something meaningful to reflect on beyond the magical elements.

Finley the Frog and the Magical Wishing Flower is a lovely choice for younger readers, especially those who enjoy animal characters and nature-based stories. The illustrations by David Lock add warmth and charm, helping bring Finley’s world to life. It’s a thoughtful read that balances imagination with a message about contentment and the beauty of the natural world.

[Victoria Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love magic, fairy tales, frogs, and a cute underdog story, you will love this book! The delightful illustrations add humor and colorful details to the fun story. The back matter talks about the habitat of Michigan Frogs and wildlife. Recommend!

[Susan, aka Pooh Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is too cute. I read it to a friends grandson who enjoyed it and wanted me to read it again.

Being from Michigan, the topic interested me as well.

Looking forward to more adventures

I received this book in a giveaway, this is my honest opinion.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finley the Frog and the Magical Wishing Flower by Pria Dee is a cute story about friendship and self-esteem. Finley has found a wishing flower. He gets three wishes. The first two are for himself. He wants to be the best and thinks wishing will make that happen but quickly finds that isn't true. His final wish he uses for others and through the selflessness he finds what he is looking for.

After his story, Pria Dee adds an educational section on frogs that I found an excellent addition. While having a fun story, the reader also gets a fun education section. The illustration is great and the story is fun. I would recommend this to young readers and educators.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and very cute pictures. Interesting information at the end about frogs.

[Renee Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

adorable

This was a very cute children’s book. Teaching a wonderful lesson of being happy and proud of as you are. His wisdom saved the town in the end. A very nice book to read to children to teach about self love and friendship.