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Tadpole Summer
From the multi-award-winning author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria, comes a story of sibling love and loss, healing and hope.
"Catherine is a wonderful storyteller" – Phil Earle
Frog has always known her younger brother Tad is unwell. He has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (called SMA-PME for short) but that has never been an obstacle for their unbreakable bond. They share a room and do everything together, Frog happy to do whatever Tad needs.
But when Tad is taken into hospital, Frog finds it difficult to be in their bedroom alone and starts camping in the garden. She only plans to be there while Tad is away but she finds an unexpected calm amongst the sounds and smells of nature and a space of her own that she's never had before.
When Tad comes up, their bedroom has to change to accommodate all his hospital equipment and Frog isn't sure where she fits in their family anymore. She retreats back into the garden, using the excuse of a sponsored camp out for charity. But as Tad's condition worsens, Frog needs to face the truth that she may not have much longer with him.
Working to bring the small wonders of the natural world to Tad, can Frog find a way to make this last summer together unforgettable?
More beautiful stories by Catherine
No Ballet Shoes in Syria, Nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2020
Bird Boy, Nero Book Awards Shortlist for Children's Fiction 2024
Following Frankenstein
Another Twist in the Tale
"Catherine is a wonderful storyteller" – Phil Earle
Frog has always known her younger brother Tad is unwell. He has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (called SMA-PME for short) but that has never been an obstacle for their unbreakable bond. They share a room and do everything together, Frog happy to do whatever Tad needs.
But when Tad is taken into hospital, Frog finds it difficult to be in their bedroom alone and starts camping in the garden. She only plans to be there while Tad is away but she finds an unexpected calm amongst the sounds and smells of nature and a space of her own that she's never had before.
When Tad comes up, their bedroom has to change to accommodate all his hospital equipment and Frog isn't sure where she fits in their family anymore. She retreats back into the garden, using the excuse of a sponsored camp out for charity. But as Tad's condition worsens, Frog needs to face the truth that she may not have much longer with him.
Working to bring the small wonders of the natural world to Tad, can Frog find a way to make this last summer together unforgettable?
More beautiful stories by Catherine
No Ballet Shoes in Syria, Nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2020
Bird Boy, Nero Book Awards Shortlist for Children's Fiction 2024
Following Frankenstein
Another Twist in the Tale
- GenresMiddle Grade
Paperback
About the author
Catherine Bruton
20 books55 followersI live just outside Bath with my husband, Jonny, and my two children (plus two toy monkeys, six goldfish and we’re hoping to get some chickens!). I teach English two days a week at a local secondary school. I also write articles for newspapers and magazines. Oh, and I write novels too!
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 13, 2026
4.5 Stars
One Liner: Bittersweet!
Frog’s younger brother, Tad, has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (called SMA-PME for short), and he has always been unwell, but that didn’t affect their bond. When Tad is taken to the hospital, their little room feels too big and alone for Frog. She starts to spend more time in the garden and finds peace in nature.
Upon Tad’s return, the bedroom is redesigned to fit the medical equipment for him, and suddenly, Frog worries that she doesn’t fit there anymore. Frog spends more and more time in the garden, but with Tad’s health worsening, she has to accept that her time with him is limited.
The story comes in Frog’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts
The premise makes it clear that this is an intense and heavy book. However, we still have many glimpses of happy moments, even if they are fleeting.
The MC is an eleven-year-old girl with a nine-year-old brother, who has SMA-PME. I don’t think I’ve read a book where a character has this condition. This one was informative without being too complicated (since it was written for kids).
From the beginning, the kids had my love. Their bond is so evident! The adults get substantial roles too (and are realistic), especially Grandad. He was awesome, hands down my favorite adult in the book.
The focus, of course, is on the kids, mainly the girl, dealing with so much that her tummy is filled with worry pebbles with no space for anything else. Siblings of those with chronic health conditions and disabilities are called glass children. They grow up faster than they should, carry a ton of worry and responsibilities on their little shoulders, and do their best to be hyper-independent so as not to trouble others. Parents are struggling too, but these glass children need them too. We see all of this in our MC, and it just breaks your heart.
The story uses frogspawn breeding and the summer setting wonderfully. I love that the kids in the book barely even use a phone. The MC spends her time in the back garden with her brother and grandad. It is great to read the grandfather sharing his knowledge and kids learning enthusiastically about insects, birds, animals, flowers, etc.
The other kids at school are mischievous, quirky, blunt, but kind-hearted and adorable. It is a small town in England, and no one is financially rich, but they are all good people.
There’s another kid, too, and I like that he doesn’t get any labels. A whiz at math with a possible high IQ who dresses like he owns the most bizarre of costumes. This is a good way to teach kids to accept children who are perceived to be different.
You can also guess that the book cannot actually have a ‘happy’ ending, and loss of life is inevitable. However, it was sensitively handled, and the story ends on a bittersweet note. Despite everything, life goes on.
Do not miss the afterword. This made me cry as much as the book.
To summarize, Tadpole Summer is a touching, heartfelt, and beautifully sad but hopeful book about a young girl coming to terms with her brother’s fragility and trying to find her place in the world.
I wish it had a couple of illustrations to give kids another reason to smile.
Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TadpoleSummer
One Liner: Bittersweet!
Frog’s younger brother, Tad, has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (called SMA-PME for short), and he has always been unwell, but that didn’t affect their bond. When Tad is taken to the hospital, their little room feels too big and alone for Frog. She starts to spend more time in the garden and finds peace in nature.
Upon Tad’s return, the bedroom is redesigned to fit the medical equipment for him, and suddenly, Frog worries that she doesn’t fit there anymore. Frog spends more and more time in the garden, but with Tad’s health worsening, she has to accept that her time with him is limited.
The story comes in Frog’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts
The premise makes it clear that this is an intense and heavy book. However, we still have many glimpses of happy moments, even if they are fleeting.
The MC is an eleven-year-old girl with a nine-year-old brother, who has SMA-PME. I don’t think I’ve read a book where a character has this condition. This one was informative without being too complicated (since it was written for kids).
From the beginning, the kids had my love. Their bond is so evident! The adults get substantial roles too (and are realistic), especially Grandad. He was awesome, hands down my favorite adult in the book.
The focus, of course, is on the kids, mainly the girl, dealing with so much that her tummy is filled with worry pebbles with no space for anything else. Siblings of those with chronic health conditions and disabilities are called glass children. They grow up faster than they should, carry a ton of worry and responsibilities on their little shoulders, and do their best to be hyper-independent so as not to trouble others. Parents are struggling too, but these glass children need them too. We see all of this in our MC, and it just breaks your heart.
The story uses frogspawn breeding and the summer setting wonderfully. I love that the kids in the book barely even use a phone. The MC spends her time in the back garden with her brother and grandad. It is great to read the grandfather sharing his knowledge and kids learning enthusiastically about insects, birds, animals, flowers, etc.
The other kids at school are mischievous, quirky, blunt, but kind-hearted and adorable. It is a small town in England, and no one is financially rich, but they are all good people.
There’s another kid, too, and I like that he doesn’t get any labels. A whiz at math with a possible high IQ who dresses like he owns the most bizarre of costumes. This is a good way to teach kids to accept children who are perceived to be different.
You can also guess that the book cannot actually have a ‘happy’ ending, and loss of life is inevitable. However, it was sensitively handled, and the story ends on a bittersweet note. Despite everything, life goes on.
Do not miss the afterword. This made me cry as much as the book.
To summarize, Tadpole Summer is a touching, heartfelt, and beautifully sad but hopeful book about a young girl coming to terms with her brother’s fragility and trying to find her place in the world.
I wish it had a couple of illustrations to give kids another reason to smile.
Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TadpoleSummer
May 12, 2026
I am very biased as I love Catherine's books. Please if you like this read Bird Boy! As a TA, I am astounded that a teacher can have time to write this calibre of book. This is beautiful and emotional. You may well need tissues.
Frog has been called Frog rather than Frances since she was a crawling baby. When Taddeus was born two years later he became Tad. Frog had loved her brother from day one. They share a room and are each others first and last person seen each day.
Tad has always been different though, his legs don't work as they should. Frog asked but Mum and Dad just always said 'that's how our Tad is'. Grandad had come to live with them after Grandma died, and he was the one who explained it when she asked. Tad has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA-PME for short!). Grandad explained it affects the muscles in your body and over time they get weaker. Frog knew that muscles also meant the heart and lungs. She started spending less time with her friends and more with Tad than before. They love spending time with Grandad, and thinking of ways to help wildlife.
In Frog's last year at primary school Tad became ill. At first he was at home, with no school. But then he had to stay in hospital on a ventilator. Frog didn't want to be in their room so she started sleeping in Grandad's tent in the garden. Just till he came home. Tad has had time to think in hospital, he want them to be the Wildlife warriors, and he wants to see that badger that Grandad thinks is coming to the garden. But when Tad comes home his lungs are much worse, he needs a hospital bed and equipment. There is no room for the bunk beds, no room for her...
She continues to sleep in the tent, talking to Tad through some old walkie talkies of Grandad's. Grandad has the shed of dreams - full of everything. Together with new neighbour, Ari (a bit of a no-it-all who is home-schooled because of his anxiety, and wears very interesting clothes) they hatch tadpoles as always, and make their way down Tad's list. . Frog is even using her camping to get sponsors to help other families whose children have SMA-PME. This extends to getting the children at their school involved in a camp in a big marquee at the end of the year, which with the help of the hospital, Tad is going to attend.
The big camp out starts Frog is mostly fine until bedtime when she becomes anxious because she isn't with Tad - they didn't pack the walkie-talkies - and then .....
Thanks to Hannah at Nosy Crow for the copy. I did beg!
Frog has been called Frog rather than Frances since she was a crawling baby. When Taddeus was born two years later he became Tad. Frog had loved her brother from day one. They share a room and are each others first and last person seen each day.
Tad has always been different though, his legs don't work as they should. Frog asked but Mum and Dad just always said 'that's how our Tad is'. Grandad had come to live with them after Grandma died, and he was the one who explained it when she asked. Tad has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA-PME for short!). Grandad explained it affects the muscles in your body and over time they get weaker. Frog knew that muscles also meant the heart and lungs. She started spending less time with her friends and more with Tad than before. They love spending time with Grandad, and thinking of ways to help wildlife.
In Frog's last year at primary school Tad became ill. At first he was at home, with no school. But then he had to stay in hospital on a ventilator. Frog didn't want to be in their room so she started sleeping in Grandad's tent in the garden. Just till he came home. Tad has had time to think in hospital, he want them to be the Wildlife warriors, and he wants to see that badger that Grandad thinks is coming to the garden. But when Tad comes home his lungs are much worse, he needs a hospital bed and equipment. There is no room for the bunk beds, no room for her...
She continues to sleep in the tent, talking to Tad through some old walkie talkies of Grandad's. Grandad has the shed of dreams - full of everything. Together with new neighbour, Ari (a bit of a no-it-all who is home-schooled because of his anxiety, and wears very interesting clothes) they hatch tadpoles as always, and make their way down Tad's list. . Frog is even using her camping to get sponsors to help other families whose children have SMA-PME. This extends to getting the children at their school involved in a camp in a big marquee at the end of the year, which with the help of the hospital, Tad is going to attend.
The big camp out starts Frog is mostly fine until bedtime when she becomes anxious because she isn't with Tad - they didn't pack the walkie-talkies - and then .....
Thanks to Hannah at Nosy Crow for the copy. I did beg!
June 22, 2026
🐸 🐸 Tadpole Summer by Catherine Bruton
Cover and chapter illustrations by Oriol Vidal and published by Nosy Crow 🐸🐸
📚 I’ve read a few of Catherine Bruton’s books now and this one was equally as compelling.
🐸 Frog and Tad’s journey is one of love, joy, mischief, adventure and loss. I really loved how Catherine wove the fate of Tad through the lifecycle of the tadpoles. It was such a clever and accessible way to describe living loss and its impact. As a teacher, I have worked with many “glass children” who strive to be perfect and shrink as to not cause further upset. Catherine really captured this so well with Frog’s character.
🏕️ Chapter 45 ‘Fairy Lights’ moved me to tears, imagining Tad’s joy as he was placed in the tent with his sister. He was such a joyful, strong and inspiring character. Children who are terminally ill are so resilient and brave. I loved the bond between brother and sister and that the negative emotions and feelings of different characters were considered too. Grandad was also such a brilliant character, who never watered down what was happening with Tad.
💞 The Afterword was a beautiful tribute to the many families who have been affected by SMA-PME and I think this book will really help many young people explore living with a sibling who will inevitably die and the impact on those around us. Such a sensitivity written and important book.
🥹 A shoutout to Ari too, who like so many are trying to find their place in the world, but also had the courage to be true to themself and embrace their uniqueness.
Cover and chapter illustrations by Oriol Vidal and published by Nosy Crow 🐸🐸
📚 I’ve read a few of Catherine Bruton’s books now and this one was equally as compelling.
🐸 Frog and Tad’s journey is one of love, joy, mischief, adventure and loss. I really loved how Catherine wove the fate of Tad through the lifecycle of the tadpoles. It was such a clever and accessible way to describe living loss and its impact. As a teacher, I have worked with many “glass children” who strive to be perfect and shrink as to not cause further upset. Catherine really captured this so well with Frog’s character.
🏕️ Chapter 45 ‘Fairy Lights’ moved me to tears, imagining Tad’s joy as he was placed in the tent with his sister. He was such a joyful, strong and inspiring character. Children who are terminally ill are so resilient and brave. I loved the bond between brother and sister and that the negative emotions and feelings of different characters were considered too. Grandad was also such a brilliant character, who never watered down what was happening with Tad.
💞 The Afterword was a beautiful tribute to the many families who have been affected by SMA-PME and I think this book will really help many young people explore living with a sibling who will inevitably die and the impact on those around us. Such a sensitivity written and important book.
🥹 A shoutout to Ari too, who like so many are trying to find their place in the world, but also had the courage to be true to themself and embrace their uniqueness.
July 6, 2026
4.5⭐
The epilogue made me tear up - this is a middle grade, but it doesn't pull any punches emotionally.
Our main character is Frog, and her younger brother Tad has a rare muscle wasting disease. As the summer begins, Tad is hospitalised, and this marks the start of his health going downhill. Frog doesn't know how to cope with this, so focuses on completing Tad's summer Wildlife Warriors list.
This is an emotional book, and at its core is about children coping with terminal illness, particularly that of a loved one. It's not a depressing read, but neither is it a bundle of laughs - I think it's an excellent way for middle grade readers to be introduced to the topic in an age appropriate way.
Why is it a 4.5, rather than a 5 ⭐? I felt slightly disconnected from Frog, and felt that first person perspective would have been more effective. That's it, that's the only thing keeping this from being perfect.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc!
The epilogue made me tear up - this is a middle grade, but it doesn't pull any punches emotionally.
Our main character is Frog, and her younger brother Tad has a rare muscle wasting disease. As the summer begins, Tad is hospitalised, and this marks the start of his health going downhill. Frog doesn't know how to cope with this, so focuses on completing Tad's summer Wildlife Warriors list.
This is an emotional book, and at its core is about children coping with terminal illness, particularly that of a loved one. It's not a depressing read, but neither is it a bundle of laughs - I think it's an excellent way for middle grade readers to be introduced to the topic in an age appropriate way.
Why is it a 4.5, rather than a 5 ⭐? I felt slightly disconnected from Frog, and felt that first person perspective would have been more effective. That's it, that's the only thing keeping this from being perfect.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I sobbed right from the first chapter. This book cements Catherine Bruton as one of my favourite middle-grade authors, alongside Katya Balen and Patrick Ness. The writing is skilful, flowing, and deeply emotive, with subtle metaphors weaving through. The beauty of nature sits alongside its harsh realities, paralleling the joy and sorrow of the protagonist and her family. Frog is an amazing character with so much depth and heart that I know children will connect to her story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It's not often that a book makes me cry but this one did.
June 23, 2026
Bought. Read in a day and cried through the last quarter. Have to look for more by her.
August 6, 2026
Heartbreaking but beautiful.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Well that was devastating. Didn't really expect anything less. Catherine Burton is a brilliant writer
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After the brilliant No Ballet Shoes For Syria and Bird Boy, Catherine Bruton returns with a truly powerful and moving story- Tadpole Summer.
This is the story of Frog ( Frances) and her brother Tad; Tad suffers from an illness- SMA Spinal Muscular Atrophy - slowly his muscles are wasting away and the body cannot function.
Set against the backdrop of a spring into summer, this is the tale as to how nature provided a point of focus during a challenging and heartbreaking summer for Frog and her family. Each Spring, Frog has gone tad poling with her brother but this year he is bed ridden- so she embarks on building a small osiers of calm with a wildlife garden and along with the help of her grandad she is able to create her own refuge when at times she feels isolated form the events around her.
She befriends her neighbour Ari who is homeschooled and views life in his own unique way bringing along an extra magic to the story.. The journey /life of the tadpoles plays against the ensuing events and makes a beautiful analogy about change and life cycles.
With grandad's support she starts to camp out in the garden and in a short time this simple action becomes something that involves a community and school whilst all the time ensuring that Tad has a magical time.
This is a book about grief- preparing for death - but it is incredibly sensitive and moving. As Catherine Bruton explains , one in 20 children deal with the bereavement of a close relative so it is not alien to children.
This is a book that I will recommend to colleagues in upper key stage 2 and family and friends- this could also be read by adults. I did not know about SMA and this book has educated me as well as deeply moving me. A difficult theme is so sensitively explored that to by pass this story because of its content would be very sad.
I doubt I will read a primary school read as powerful as this in the foreseeable future. Yes, it truly moved me to tears. I couldn't put it down.
Thank you Catherine Bruton for a masterclass in storytelling but a book that has an enduring power in educating and supporting children and adults during a life changing period. A top highlight children's book for 2026 - no doubt
Thank you to Nosy Crow books and Netgalley for the advance copy
This is the story of Frog ( Frances) and her brother Tad; Tad suffers from an illness- SMA Spinal Muscular Atrophy - slowly his muscles are wasting away and the body cannot function.
Set against the backdrop of a spring into summer, this is the tale as to how nature provided a point of focus during a challenging and heartbreaking summer for Frog and her family. Each Spring, Frog has gone tad poling with her brother but this year he is bed ridden- so she embarks on building a small osiers of calm with a wildlife garden and along with the help of her grandad she is able to create her own refuge when at times she feels isolated form the events around her.
She befriends her neighbour Ari who is homeschooled and views life in his own unique way bringing along an extra magic to the story.. The journey /life of the tadpoles plays against the ensuing events and makes a beautiful analogy about change and life cycles.
With grandad's support she starts to camp out in the garden and in a short time this simple action becomes something that involves a community and school whilst all the time ensuring that Tad has a magical time.
This is a book about grief- preparing for death - but it is incredibly sensitive and moving. As Catherine Bruton explains , one in 20 children deal with the bereavement of a close relative so it is not alien to children.
This is a book that I will recommend to colleagues in upper key stage 2 and family and friends- this could also be read by adults. I did not know about SMA and this book has educated me as well as deeply moving me. A difficult theme is so sensitively explored that to by pass this story because of its content would be very sad.
I doubt I will read a primary school read as powerful as this in the foreseeable future. Yes, it truly moved me to tears. I couldn't put it down.
Thank you Catherine Bruton for a masterclass in storytelling but a book that has an enduring power in educating and supporting children and adults during a life changing period. A top highlight children's book for 2026 - no doubt
Thank you to Nosy Crow books and Netgalley for the advance copy
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews