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Frog and Beaver
A new neighbor with huge plans turns life upside down for animals who live on the river in a charming ecological fable from Simon James.
Frog and his friends live happily together on the river. At least they do until Beaver comes along. Beaver is determined to build the biggest and best dam anyone has ever seen, and he doesn't stop to think about what that will mean for everyone else's homes. Frog tries to tell Beaver that his dam is getting too big, but Beaver just won't listen. Before long, Beaver's dam is so huge that it stops all the water in the river, and Frog and his friends must move upstream. But diverted water also needs somewhere to go, and soon Beaver will learn that only one force is stronger than a mighty river -- friendship.
Frog and his friends live happily together on the river. At least they do until Beaver comes along. Beaver is determined to build the biggest and best dam anyone has ever seen, and he doesn't stop to think about what that will mean for everyone else's homes. Frog tries to tell Beaver that his dam is getting too big, but Beaver just won't listen. Before long, Beaver's dam is so huge that it stops all the water in the river, and Frog and his friends must move upstream. But diverted water also needs somewhere to go, and soon Beaver will learn that only one force is stronger than a mighty river -- friendship.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 24, 2018
34 people want to read
About the author
Simon James
30 books44 followersSimon James is the award-winning author-illustrator of many children’s books, including such favorites as DEAR GREENPEACE, LEON AND BOB, and the Baby Brains series. His stories often concern a child’s relationship with the natural world. Simon James lives in England.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 5, 2017
Frog lives by the river, under his leaf. Life was just perfect for him and his neighbours, the Ducks and their ducklings, and the Water Voles and their baby water voles.
Then one day a beaver appeared, looking for a new home. Frog tells him that the river is a lovely place to live, so beaver decides to stay and tells the residents that he is going to build the biggest and best dam that they will have ever seen.
As beavers dam gets bigger, the river starts to dry up as his dam is blocking the water from getting through. Frog tries to explain to him that his actions are causing the others problems, but beaver doesn’t listen. In the end the families have to move to the other side of the dam.
But when the dam breaks, the residents are left homeless again. It’s up to a very sorry beaver to help them build their homes once again.
I love this sweet, yet educational book. It teaches children that sometimes what people (or animals) do can have consequences, and that we should all be more caring about each other, and not just think about ourselves.
The illustrations are bright and colourful. They bring joy to the story, and show exactly what is happening throughout.
A lovely, feel good book, that will children will enjoy reading over and over again.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
Then one day a beaver appeared, looking for a new home. Frog tells him that the river is a lovely place to live, so beaver decides to stay and tells the residents that he is going to build the biggest and best dam that they will have ever seen.
As beavers dam gets bigger, the river starts to dry up as his dam is blocking the water from getting through. Frog tries to explain to him that his actions are causing the others problems, but beaver doesn’t listen. In the end the families have to move to the other side of the dam.
But when the dam breaks, the residents are left homeless again. It’s up to a very sorry beaver to help them build their homes once again.
I love this sweet, yet educational book. It teaches children that sometimes what people (or animals) do can have consequences, and that we should all be more caring about each other, and not just think about ourselves.
The illustrations are bright and colourful. They bring joy to the story, and show exactly what is happening throughout.
A lovely, feel good book, that will children will enjoy reading over and over again.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
November 3, 2017
A beaver begins building a dam near frog's home and soon stops all the water from coming down the river. The animals downstream are angry as they are forced to move, but when something unexpected happens, beaver has an opportunity to redeem himself.
A story about fairness and considering the impact our presence and actions make on the world.
A story about fairness and considering the impact our presence and actions make on the world.
February 10, 2017
I was sent a free copy of this book by the publisher.
Frog shares his life on the river with the ducks, water voles and their babies. One day Beaver arrives and he wants to build the biggest dam they've ever seen. But what will happen to the water in the river once it's built?
This lovely tale comes in a hardback book around A4ish in size. The story is a fun and simple one where Frog welcomes Beaver to the river. Beaver starts working on the biggest and best dam ever, but the water level starts dropping in the river and the bigger the dam gets the less water there is. The story is short and I won't give away the ending but it's a lovely tale of friendship and understanding.
The illustrations are really lovely and it really makes enjoy this book. The pictures are so fun and clear, and the pages they appear on are glossy. The book's spine is on the shorter side, rather than the traditional longer side in books, making this book open up to be very long in width, but this shape creates some lovely wide images of the river which are so appealing. There's something about the old fashioned look to the images that I just adore, perhaps as it reminds me of books I read when I was a child.
I really enjoyed reading this book and the images are ones I can't help but look at again and again. The whole book just has a lovely feel to it and even the front cover is matt but Beaver and the title are glossy. It's just so lovely that I'd recommend it to everyone. (pictures can be seen on amazon and my website)
Frog shares his life on the river with the ducks, water voles and their babies. One day Beaver arrives and he wants to build the biggest dam they've ever seen. But what will happen to the water in the river once it's built?
This lovely tale comes in a hardback book around A4ish in size. The story is a fun and simple one where Frog welcomes Beaver to the river. Beaver starts working on the biggest and best dam ever, but the water level starts dropping in the river and the bigger the dam gets the less water there is. The story is short and I won't give away the ending but it's a lovely tale of friendship and understanding.
The illustrations are really lovely and it really makes enjoy this book. The pictures are so fun and clear, and the pages they appear on are glossy. The book's spine is on the shorter side, rather than the traditional longer side in books, making this book open up to be very long in width, but this shape creates some lovely wide images of the river which are so appealing. There's something about the old fashioned look to the images that I just adore, perhaps as it reminds me of books I read when I was a child.
I really enjoyed reading this book and the images are ones I can't help but look at again and again. The whole book just has a lovely feel to it and even the front cover is matt but Beaver and the title are glossy. It's just so lovely that I'd recommend it to everyone. (pictures can be seen on amazon and my website)
February 7, 2019
Frog and Beaver tells the story of two river animals, Frog and Beaver. Frog lives on the lake, and is happily friends with all of the river creatures! One day, a new animal, Beaver, arrives and decides to build the biggest dam in the world! In his excitement, Beaver doesn't notice that his dam is stopping up a portion of the lake. This leaves all of the river creatures without their happy home. However, his dam is too big and it bursts, flooding all of the water back into its normal place. Beaver begins to help the river animals rebuild their homes. He agrees never to build a dam that big again, and all of the river animals go on to live in peace!
I loved this book! It was a powerful story illustrating that your actions, sometimes with good intentions, can negatively affect other people. The illustrations and the narrative were both excellent as well!
I would use this book in a middle to upper level elementary age classroom. This book could be use to teach cause and effect, and illustrate the importance of considering
I loved this book! It was a powerful story illustrating that your actions, sometimes with good intentions, can negatively affect other people. The illustrations and the narrative were both excellent as well!
I would use this book in a middle to upper level elementary age classroom. This book could be use to teach cause and effect, and illustrate the importance of considering
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September 17, 2021Summary:
> Frog and his friends lived in the river but one day the water was drying up. Beaver was building a dam and causing the water to stop flowing. Frog talked to Beaver about the dam and Beaver would not listen to Frog. Beaver wanted to have the best dam in the world. Frog and his friends moved on the other side of Beaver’s dam but the water was too strong and the dam burst. Beaver almost drowned and Frog saved him. Beaver helped everyone build new homes and everyone became his friends.
Personal Thoughts:
> I think this is a very cute and simple child’s book. Even though it’s simple it gives many different real life lessons. I love the cute drawings and the calming colors in it.
Classroom Ideas:
> This is a book I would read to a younger class, most likely kindergarten. I hope the children would think to be thankful for what they have after reading this. It’s okay to reach for the stars, but to not think they have to have everything in life.
> Frog and his friends lived in the river but one day the water was drying up. Beaver was building a dam and causing the water to stop flowing. Frog talked to Beaver about the dam and Beaver would not listen to Frog. Beaver wanted to have the best dam in the world. Frog and his friends moved on the other side of Beaver’s dam but the water was too strong and the dam burst. Beaver almost drowned and Frog saved him. Beaver helped everyone build new homes and everyone became his friends.
Personal Thoughts:
> I think this is a very cute and simple child’s book. Even though it’s simple it gives many different real life lessons. I love the cute drawings and the calming colors in it.
Classroom Ideas:
> This is a book I would read to a younger class, most likely kindergarten. I hope the children would think to be thankful for what they have after reading this. It’s okay to reach for the stars, but to not think they have to have everything in life.
October 30, 2019
This book could be used to link with studying animals and their habitats, part of the programme of study for year 2 science. It could also be enjoyed as a class story and used in PSHE as the Beaver won’t listen to the frog and creates a dam so big that the other animals have no water left. This could be looked at with regard to sharing and helping each other. When the dam bursts and Frog has to save Beaver after he swallowed too much water, all the animals start helping each other, including Beaver. The story has lovely pastel illustrations to accompany and would be good to read in FS and KS1.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2024
This book represents the value of friendship as frog and beaver develop some problems in the river when beaver wants to build too big of a dam. The other animals get upset and have to figure out how to communicate with beaver that they do not like what he is doing, but instead, beaver learns his own lesson when the dam explodes and everyones homes get destroyed. This books teaches children about taking responsibility for their own actions and communicating with their friends to make sure that things are fair.
June 21, 2018
Frog invites Beaver to build his dam in the pond where he and the ducks and the voles live with their families. But Beaver built his dam so large that the other animals lost their homes when the water on their side of the dam dried up. And when the dam burst all the animals had to rebuild their homes, with Beaver's help. He helped them build, but not too big. Then he rebuilt his dam, but not too big.
July 13, 2018
Oh life on a river. So peaceful and calm...until an active beaver comes along and disrupts the flow of both the river and life to build the biggest and best dam ever. With its fun illustrations this story is one of community, friendship, and cause and effect. It is also the story of habitats and interactions among living things. And as a huge bonus, I found it to be a story of questions, because I had so many questions while reading this story.
August 28, 2018
Frog and his friends lead an idyllic life on the river until Beaver moves in and builds the biggest and best dam, disrupting the other's habitat. This is a nice ecological story for children, showing the impact your actions may have on others, forgiveness, and friendship. As the illustrations are a bit small, this book works well one-on-one, but the tale is good to be shared in a group setting.
August 4, 2019
Honestly not sure how I feel about this one. I want to like it more than I actually do. Some river animals are hanging out. Beaver shows up and everybody's friendly to the new guy. Then Beaver builds a dam and changes the flow of the river. Everyone complains, but only frog is willing to be the go-between. I feel like there's a message or moral here, but I'm not sure what it is.
February 4, 2019
basic animal friendship story, not sure to put this on my realistic fiction shelf since the animals aren't dressed up and acting like people which is my shelf for animal stories, but not fantasy either since they aren't doing anything magical or talking to people.
May 12, 2017
Lovely, warm book. Loved the illustrations!
April 14, 2018
Don't get too big for your britches.
July 12, 2018
A sweet book about kindness, forgiveness and starting over. Great addition to a Frog storytime. Recommended for pre-k - 2nd grade.
January 1, 2020
Lovely, warm book. Loved the illustrations!
July 11, 2023
A good one for considering how our actions impact others and how to make things right when we make mistakes.
September 19, 2023
Cute story but how many times can you say the word “dam” in a kids book?!! 13 apparently.
May 19, 2018
What happens when a young beaver ignores warnings that his dam is too big? As you can imagine, trouble! All the other inhabitants along the river were getting along perfectly until Beaver arrived. Despite Frog's attempts to rein in Beaver's "nearly as tall as the mountains" construction. There are grumbles and hard feelings, and a disaster, but Beaver does learn his lesson in the end. And a much more moderate Beaver helps everyone rebuild their homes as well as his dam, "not too big though."
The illustrations have Simon James iconic style and show the idyllic scene before Beaver's arrival, then the gradually worsening problem, and the major catastrophe with crisply penned details over the watercolor paintings. My favorites are all the images of Frog. His tiny body has long, thin legs and his expressive face has enormous eyes. Watching his eyes is an easy way for readers to gauge his reactions to Beaver's antics. The best part is the scene of Frog jumping up and down on Beaver's back when he has swallowed too much water. I wonder if Frog is Red Cross certified as a lifeguard?
A fun story about the truth that bigger is not always better, and that our actions affect others.
The illustrations have Simon James iconic style and show the idyllic scene before Beaver's arrival, then the gradually worsening problem, and the major catastrophe with crisply penned details over the watercolor paintings. My favorites are all the images of Frog. His tiny body has long, thin legs and his expressive face has enormous eyes. Watching his eyes is an easy way for readers to gauge his reactions to Beaver's antics. The best part is the scene of Frog jumping up and down on Beaver's back when he has swallowed too much water. I wonder if Frog is Red Cross certified as a lifeguard?
A fun story about the truth that bigger is not always better, and that our actions affect others.
January 23, 2021
Eine einfühlsame Geschichte über Größenwahn und gegenseitige Rücksichtnahme in einer Gemeinschaft. Zauberhaft illustriert.
Inhalt:
Der kleine Frosch lebt glücklich und zufrieden mit seinen Freunden, den Wasserratten und Enten an einem Fluss am Waldrand.
Wie schön und friedlich das Leben doch ist.
Bis eines Tages ein junger Biber auftaucht und den größten Damm aller Zeiten bauen möchte. Zunächst denken sich die anderen Tiere nicht viel dabei und empfangen ihn freundlich und warmherzig. Aber das eifrige Kerlchen schuftet die ganze Nacht und plötzlich ist aus dem wunderschönen Fluss ein mickriges Rinnsal geworden.
Der Biber ist mächtig stolz auf sein Werk, aber bei seinem Motto "immer größer, immer besser" kann das Ganze nur übel enden ...
Altersempfehlung:
ab 3 Jahre
Illustrationen:
Wunderschöne farbenfrohe Illustrationen ergänzen und unterstreichen die Handlung perfekt.
Die Zeichnungen nehmen viel Raum ein, man entdeckt trotz ihrer Schlichtheit immer neue Kleinigkeiten und die kurzen Texte, meist am unteren Rand der Seiten, fügen sich optisch sehr gut ein.
Der Stil und die Farbgestaltung mit vielen hellen Blau- und Grüntönen gefällt sehr. Die Atmosphäre zu Beginn ist herrlich ruhig und zeigt den idyllische Fluss am Waldrand und seine glücklichen Bewohner. Mit dem Biber zieht auch in den Illustrationen das Chaos ein im Sinne von vielen kreuz und quer liegenden Ästen und Steinen.
Die tierischen Charaktere sind niedlich, vermenschlicht und dank ihrer erfrischend lustigen Mimik und den großen Augen auch sehr sympathisch. Auch dem Biber kann man nicht lange böse sein.
Mein Eindruck:
Der Schreibstil ist altersgerecht und gut verständlich, denn die Texte sind kurz und einfach gehalten. Die vielen Wiederholungen wie beispielsweise die Kommentare der Wasserratte "Wäre ich größer, würde ich dem Biber sagen, wo es lang geht!" sorgen für viele Lacher.
Der kleine Frosch beweist echte Größe, den der versucht zunächst zu vermitteln und da der Biber sich in seinem Größenwahn stur stellt, arrangiert er sich mit den neuen Lebensumständen. Auch ist der Frosch nicht nachtragend, denn als der Biber in Not gerät, ist Frosch sofort helfend zur Stelle.
Wer wissen möchte, ob der fleißige Dammbauer doch noch auf die anderen Bewohner zugeht und ob aus Frosch und Biber beste Freunde werden, dem kann ich diese zauberhafte Geschichte sehr empfehlen.
Ein wundervolles Bilderbuch über Rücksichtnahme auf andere, Kompromisse, Leben in einer Gemeinschaft und Hilfsbereitschaft.
Fazit:
Eine unterhaltsame, lehrreiche wie auch lustige Geschichte mit kindgerecht verpacken Botschaften: "Größer ist nicht immer besser." und "Nimm Rücksicht auf andere!"
Zudem ist das Bilderbuch wunderschön illustriert.
...
Rezensiertes Buch: "Frosch und Biber" aus dem Jahr 2017
Inhalt:
Der kleine Frosch lebt glücklich und zufrieden mit seinen Freunden, den Wasserratten und Enten an einem Fluss am Waldrand.
Wie schön und friedlich das Leben doch ist.
Bis eines Tages ein junger Biber auftaucht und den größten Damm aller Zeiten bauen möchte. Zunächst denken sich die anderen Tiere nicht viel dabei und empfangen ihn freundlich und warmherzig. Aber das eifrige Kerlchen schuftet die ganze Nacht und plötzlich ist aus dem wunderschönen Fluss ein mickriges Rinnsal geworden.
Der Biber ist mächtig stolz auf sein Werk, aber bei seinem Motto "immer größer, immer besser" kann das Ganze nur übel enden ...
Altersempfehlung:
ab 3 Jahre
Illustrationen:
Wunderschöne farbenfrohe Illustrationen ergänzen und unterstreichen die Handlung perfekt.
Die Zeichnungen nehmen viel Raum ein, man entdeckt trotz ihrer Schlichtheit immer neue Kleinigkeiten und die kurzen Texte, meist am unteren Rand der Seiten, fügen sich optisch sehr gut ein.
Der Stil und die Farbgestaltung mit vielen hellen Blau- und Grüntönen gefällt sehr. Die Atmosphäre zu Beginn ist herrlich ruhig und zeigt den idyllische Fluss am Waldrand und seine glücklichen Bewohner. Mit dem Biber zieht auch in den Illustrationen das Chaos ein im Sinne von vielen kreuz und quer liegenden Ästen und Steinen.
Die tierischen Charaktere sind niedlich, vermenschlicht und dank ihrer erfrischend lustigen Mimik und den großen Augen auch sehr sympathisch. Auch dem Biber kann man nicht lange böse sein.
Mein Eindruck:
Der Schreibstil ist altersgerecht und gut verständlich, denn die Texte sind kurz und einfach gehalten. Die vielen Wiederholungen wie beispielsweise die Kommentare der Wasserratte "Wäre ich größer, würde ich dem Biber sagen, wo es lang geht!" sorgen für viele Lacher.
Der kleine Frosch beweist echte Größe, den der versucht zunächst zu vermitteln und da der Biber sich in seinem Größenwahn stur stellt, arrangiert er sich mit den neuen Lebensumständen. Auch ist der Frosch nicht nachtragend, denn als der Biber in Not gerät, ist Frosch sofort helfend zur Stelle.
Wer wissen möchte, ob der fleißige Dammbauer doch noch auf die anderen Bewohner zugeht und ob aus Frosch und Biber beste Freunde werden, dem kann ich diese zauberhafte Geschichte sehr empfehlen.
Ein wundervolles Bilderbuch über Rücksichtnahme auf andere, Kompromisse, Leben in einer Gemeinschaft und Hilfsbereitschaft.
Fazit:
Eine unterhaltsame, lehrreiche wie auch lustige Geschichte mit kindgerecht verpacken Botschaften: "Größer ist nicht immer besser." und "Nimm Rücksicht auf andere!"
Zudem ist das Bilderbuch wunderschön illustriert.
...
Rezensiertes Buch: "Frosch und Biber" aus dem Jahr 2017
March 22, 2019
Frog and Beaver tells the story of how to get along and make compromises. Frog lives on a flourishing river that supports a marine ecosystem. Beaver moves to the river and decides to make his dam at a terrible spot on the river. This causes, the ecosystem to collapse because there is no water flowing to replenish the necessities. Frog and Beaver come up with a compromise that allows both animals to live in the same ecosystem.
I loved this book's story and the idea of making compromises because making compromises is important in any and every society. This book also emphasizes that communication is key. I also enjoy this book's illustrations because it is very helpful to see an image after some words.
I would use this story in every one of my future classes at any age level because the lesson is pure and a necessity to be an astounding human. The students will learn that they can make friends by just being respectable and friendly, as well as, making compromises to further emphasize good terms. I would use this book as a read-aloud and then have 5-10 questions about the content of the book and ask the students what they thought the real message was.
I loved this book's story and the idea of making compromises because making compromises is important in any and every society. This book also emphasizes that communication is key. I also enjoy this book's illustrations because it is very helpful to see an image after some words.
I would use this story in every one of my future classes at any age level because the lesson is pure and a necessity to be an astounding human. The students will learn that they can make friends by just being respectable and friendly, as well as, making compromises to further emphasize good terms. I would use this book as a read-aloud and then have 5-10 questions about the content of the book and ask the students what they thought the real message was.
January 7, 2017
A moral story of friendship, animals and learning to work together and compromise; and it was wonderful.
Frog, the leader of our story, lives in perfect harmony with the other creatures in his habitat - ducks and water voles predominantly. But one day, a pesky Beaver drifts along and notices how great the spot is. Of course the creatures welcome him with open arms, but Beaver is oblivious to the fact that the enormous dam he is building for his home is so big that it is stopping the water supply to everyone else's home. The water is drying up. The ducks have no swimming water. The frog can merely paddle and the water voles aren't living up to their title with only a trickle of water coming through. This just won't do. Frog tries to talk it out, Vole wants to show the Beaver who is boss and Duck is very sad. Eventually, the Beaver learns that working as a team is better than living alone, even if your dam is awesome!
I love the moral story of compromise and friendship - it's always a nice read, even if it is overdone in children's books sometimes. The writing flows nicely, is easy enough to follow and is a good size at the bottom of the page leaving copious amounts of room for some wonderful illustrations. The animals are wonderfully illustrated, and whilst they are simple drawings they are very cute and likeable. I love how the author has cleverly taught the reader about habitats, through the story but also the illustrations. It's great to have some elements of learning thrown in, especially when they're less deliberately written into the story.
The version of the book I have is a hardback. It is quite a long book which meant it had to be placed flat on the shelf rather than having the title facing out as it was just too long. I like the durable nature of it though and the pages are nice and thick to help keep them looking in good condition. Each page is colourful, fun and beautifully illustrated. I definitely recommend this book.
This product was provided to me from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my opinion of the product.
Frog, the leader of our story, lives in perfect harmony with the other creatures in his habitat - ducks and water voles predominantly. But one day, a pesky Beaver drifts along and notices how great the spot is. Of course the creatures welcome him with open arms, but Beaver is oblivious to the fact that the enormous dam he is building for his home is so big that it is stopping the water supply to everyone else's home. The water is drying up. The ducks have no swimming water. The frog can merely paddle and the water voles aren't living up to their title with only a trickle of water coming through. This just won't do. Frog tries to talk it out, Vole wants to show the Beaver who is boss and Duck is very sad. Eventually, the Beaver learns that working as a team is better than living alone, even if your dam is awesome!
I love the moral story of compromise and friendship - it's always a nice read, even if it is overdone in children's books sometimes. The writing flows nicely, is easy enough to follow and is a good size at the bottom of the page leaving copious amounts of room for some wonderful illustrations. The animals are wonderfully illustrated, and whilst they are simple drawings they are very cute and likeable. I love how the author has cleverly taught the reader about habitats, through the story but also the illustrations. It's great to have some elements of learning thrown in, especially when they're less deliberately written into the story.
The version of the book I have is a hardback. It is quite a long book which meant it had to be placed flat on the shelf rather than having the title facing out as it was just too long. I like the durable nature of it though and the pages are nice and thick to help keep them looking in good condition. Each page is colourful, fun and beautifully illustrated. I definitely recommend this book.
This product was provided to me from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my opinion of the product.
June 28, 2018
Picture book
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