Kikker is een Held

Kikker

by Max Velthuijs (Author and Illustrator)

Wanneer tijdens een overstroming al het voedsel op is, gaat Kikker er op uit om hulp te halen. Prentenboek met eenvoudige illustraties in kleur. Vanaf ca. 4 jaar.

Het regent buiten en Kikker danst van plezier. Hij houdt van regen. Dit plezier vergaat hem snel wanneer de rivier overstroomt. Samen met Varken en Eend gaat hij naar het huisje van Haas dat hoog op de heuvel staat. Wanneer na een paar dagen de proviand op is, besluit Kikker hulp te halen. Net als hij dreigt de verdrinken, komt Rat met zijn boot vol proviand langsvaren en redt hij Kikker en zijn vrienden. De auteur is er wederom in geslaagd om van een actueel thema als de watersnood een herkenbaar en vertederend prentenboek te maken. Tekst en illustraties vormen een harmonisch geheel. De tekst laat zich, zonder toevoegingen, goed voorlezen. Ook de bekende karakters van de dieren komen goed uit de verf. Het eind van het verhaal, waarin alle dieren helpen elkaars huis schoon te maken, is wat minder subtiel dan in de andere 'Kikker'-boeken. Op de sfeervolle illustraties komen alle bekende figuren voor. De illustraties beslaan één of, in een enkel geval, een dubbele pagina. Onder de illustraties staan enkele regels tekst gedrukt in een duidelijke letter. Op de voorkant van de lichtblauwe omslag staan Eend en Kikker in de regen. Geschikt voor iedereen vanaf ca. 4 jaar.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Animals

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

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

[Konstantina]

Very sweet and sincere story. The illustration is brilliant, tender and expressive. I guess, it's a perfect day for friendship, even if it is raining!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frog has the opportunity to be of real service to his friends in this sixth entry in Max Velthuijs' beloved picture-book series devoted to his adventures and misadventures, first published in Dutch as Kikker is een Held. Delighted at first, when it begins to rain, Frog eventually finds that even a water-loving amphibian like himself can get too much a good thing, when the river floods, and his house is inundated. Seeking shelter at Duck's house, and then Pig's, and finally ending up all together at Hare's island home, as the waters rise, the friends are inconvenienced, but not endangered. Until, that is, the day the food runs out, and Frog decides that, as the best swimmer, he must go for help...

Although not the final story in the Frog series - I understand that there are twelve altogether - Frog Is a Hero is the last title owned by my library system, so my exploration of Velthuijs' work ends (at least for the time being) here. As with the previous books, I found this one charming, both in story and artwork. I appreciated the fact that a character from a previous story - Rat, the stranger in Frog and the Stranger , who once again plays a helpful role - reappears here! All in all, another engaging entry in this sweet picture-book series!

[حسناء · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely story for children

[Inge Janse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Als ik zou tellen hoe vaak ik dit boek heb voorgelezen, zou ik voor de komende dertig jaar al mijn reading challenges al gehaald hebben. Maar dat is niet het punt.

Het punt is namelijk dit: What. The. Fuck. gebeurt er in dit boek? Als in: what the actual fuck?

Al die boeken van Kikker zijn pais en vree, mocht het heel gek lopen, dan krijgt Kikker keelpijn of is hij teleurgesteld in zijn ongeletterdheid, dus ik dacht: hop, een nieuwe, lekker voorlezen aan mijn dochter, hilariteit alom.

Blijkt dit een soort The Day After Tomorrow meets The Road meets Hunger Games meets De Ark van Noach te zijn. Enkel de zombies ontbreken om er een algeheel apocalyptisch gesamtkunstwerk van te maken. En zelfs als al dat hemeltergende leed (Kikker bijna dood, vriendjes bijna dood, Kikker bijna nog een keer dood, Kikker met existentiële vraagstukken, gaan ze elkaar opeten?) ternauwernood afgewend is (met een zeer discutabele rol voor Rat, waar haalt hij opeens zoveel proviand vandaan, ten koste van wie heeft hij dat verzameld, wat deed hij überhaupt daar, het voelt allemaal zeer nsb'erig), dan nog staan ze temidden van de resten van de tragedie nog even te doomsday-waarschuwen dat dit onmenselijke leed nooit meer uit hun collectieve geheugen zou verdwijnen.

En sindsdien heeft mijn dochter een hyperfascinatie voor de dood. Bedankt, Kikker. Volgende keer vieren we weer gewoon je verjaardag met ranja, taart en slingers, oké?

(serieus, dit boek is toch gewoon de meest absurde anomalie in het oeuvre ooit?)

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kikker is een held written and illustrated by Max Velthuijs- Dutch- Hindi language translation by Arvind Gupta-The book narrates the story of Frog, duck, Pig and Rabbit who are friends. The rainy season has yet to arrive so the friends meet, play and enjoy. Soon rains arrive and rain water covers the area. His friends Pig and Rabbit are stuck in their houses without food. Frog meets them. Soon the water level rises and they have to shift first to Ducks’ house, then to Pig’s house and last to Rabbit’s house on the island. Frog plans to swim and get food for all. When the frog starts swimming against the tide, he is soon tired. Just then, the finds his friend the Rabbit moving towards him in a boat. Frog climbs the boat. In the boat, Rabbit has collected food items bread, jam, honey, potato, butter and vegetables. They all passed were safe now. Soon, the rains retreated, there was lot of sludge on the roads. They waited. Soon, the rainy season passed and friends could play again. Message- A friend in need is a friend indeed. Coloured illustration help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a great read for young readers as it covers a range of important topics. First of all kindness is portrayed by the the hare, who cooks and allows his friends to stay round due to their houses being flooded. Secondly, bravery is demonstrated by the frog who decided to swim in a treacherous flood and find help as they had ran out of food. Teamwork is illustrated on the final page when all of the characters work together to clean up their homes due to the flood.

This book is also packed full of writers tricks including: alliteration, onomatopoeia, metaphors and strong verbs (to name a few!).

[Sophie Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The importance of friendship, especially in hard times, and of friends working together to solve a problem. There is a flood in the story, which could lead on to Geography/ PSHE lessons about current events, where and why floods (and other natural disasters) occur, and what we could do to help.

*There is also good use of adjectives, adverbs, and more interesting synonyms for 'said': it could be a good book to use in a grammar lesson to illustrate why the author has made certain word choices and how it has impacted the story.

[Plano Nacional de Leitura 2027]

Centrada nas aventuras do Sapo e dos seus amigos, este volume da coleção O Sapo conta a história de uma cheia e de como o sapo teve de socorrer os seus amigos, pondo em risco a própria vida. O final feliz, com o salvamento de todo o grupo isolado pelas cheias, não deixa de permitir a reflexão sobre temas como a entreajuda e a solidariedade, mas também os problemas ambientais e os desastres naturais e suas consequências.

ISBN:
978-989-776-125-6

CDU:
087.5-053.4
821.112.5-34

Livro recomendado PNL2027 - 2019 2.º Sem. - Literatura - dos 6-8 anos - Inicial

[Faye Ulph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet little story about friendship, kindness and bravery. All the animals help each other out. Rat is a very true friend who gives Frog all the credit and introduces him as the true hero to all their friends. This is a very thoughtful thing to do! Frog felt so proud of himself which is lovely to see. Children could be asked about how they may save the animals to support them in developing their own ideas and thoughts.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little story about friendship, working together, bravery and heroism. The messages within these pages are loud and clear - helping each other in difficult times, making decisions and looking out for each other. The illustrations portray the story beautifully, the text is easy to read and the story makes you smile. A great book.

[Grace Duthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Frog stuck inside links to the recent lockdown. Perhaps a relevant book for children at the moment.
* Links to Geography- flooding. Could initiate questions such as, why does it flood? Has anyone seen flooding before? etc.
* Bravery and sacrifices for friends, helping others. Teamwork and sense of community.

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frog is a hero is a lovely story highlighting how we can all help each other especially when times are hard! Lovely message with lovely illustrations. I particularly was surprised by the ending, quite often after a happy ending the story is left as that, Max Velthuijs ends with a note of reflection, on the event that was tricky and scary for all the animals, and how they would all never forget.

[Melanie MYD · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about flooding, some friends, a helpful rat and a brave frog. Perhaps useful in light of a recent flood disaster, to convey an environmental message or perhaps other things where a significant event (global pandemic?!) has meant that things will never be the same again.

[Charlotte England · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was enjoyable. It was easy to read and follow. The book covered the subjects of friendship, teamwork and problem solving. There were pictures on each of the pages, this allows for the children to think about what is happening and what might happen next.

[Sarah Spice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the pictures and the story is short, sweet but still complete. Scarlet age 9

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story about Frog doing his best to help his friends in need.

[Becca Cuthill]

A book about friendship and teamwork

[Maryam Sabbar-Yates · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely and simple book about the power of friendship and being kind to one another.

[Courtney Bursnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely story about kindness, friendship and bravery, between the frog and his friends.

[Donna Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book is about animal friends that work together during the flood. Is aimed at KS1 and shows the importance of friends working together. Nicely illustrated.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice

[Iain Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing particularly special about this book.
A tale of flooding - quite relevant in recent times, and helping your friends.
Nothing original .

[Bex Allum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story of Frog the caring friend who tries to help others. Fantastic to help children learn about helping others, being caring and sticking together when times are tough.

[Davide · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uma história maravilhosa! Para crianças e adultos.

[Charlotte Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice children book that focuses on many topics (friendship, kindness, bravery).

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frog is a Hero is a beautifully illustrated story about a group of animals who experience a serious flood and Frog (with the help of Rat) save the day.

[Molly Spooner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple and sweet story of friendship, kindness and bravery about a Frog, Duck, Pig, Hare and Rat dealing with a terrible flood.

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cosy read about a group of animals loving and helping one another during a terrible flood. I just didn't quite like the last line. It could have ended on a more positive note.

[Miloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

💜💜💜💜

[Vera Milena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of coming together as friends and helping each other out. Importance of helping others in times of need. Can spark conversations about catastrophes such as flooding and climate change.