A Frog Thing

by Eric Drachman, James Muscarello (Illustrator)

Frank wasn't satisfied doing ordinary frog things. He wanted to fly, but he was a frog and frogs can't fly. Follow along as Frank jumps and runs and leaps and dives until he finally finds his place in the pond. The companion book on cd will transport you and your child into Frank's world with sound effects and wonderful performances by children and adults.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Birds

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Sandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really liked this book and its lesson that you can do anything you set your mind, too. Even the impossible has an answer....it gives a fresh viewpoint on that old saying of where there is a will, there is a way!

The pictures are adorable, Frankie the Frog is adorable as well!

I like that his parents have encouraged them but when they think something is impossible because Frankie is a frog they explain to him gently why they think he cannot accomplish his dream of flying. But Frankie doesn't give up and he finds the answer he needs....

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“So Frank set his mind to flying ... but it was more like falling than flying. And everyone laughed at him.”

His parents said he could do anything, but Frank wants to fly. So his parents explain that they meant he could do any frog thing. Flying isn’t a frog thing. But Frank is determined and continues to try. And then a baby bird falls into the water and Frank saves him from drowning. A grateful mother bird wants to repay Frank’s kindness. So she figures out a way for Frank to fly.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7 year son says this is his new favorite book, so we'll give it 5 stars. He says he likes the paintings and that this book inspires others to believe in themselves always.

The watercolor illustrations are beautiful, and there are great expressions on the frog faces.

It's a cute story with a frog who wants to fly, and who becomes a hero.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story about a frog finding what he is good at.

[Anneke Alnatour · Rating 4 out of 5]

A frog that wants to fly, and finds a way to do it.

Cute story, great illustrations. A big like from all of us.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun picture book with great lesson. Reread this book several times.

[Cristina Quattrone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute book about the line between accepting natural limitations and thinking creatively to make our wildest dreams come true

[Nanny B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story!

[Babs Bagwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Really enjoyed reading it aloud to our grandchild!

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would pair nicely with the very funny book, I Don't Want to be a Frog, or the older book, Verdi. The frog doesn't want to except limitations placed on him because of his being a frog. He wants to fly. This story is both encouraging and limiting in an odd way. Nicely done though.

[Carmen Nibali · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Frog Thing” is about a little frog named Frank. He wasn't satisfied doing ordinary “frog” things. He wanted to fly like the birds. In the story Frank jumps, leaps and dives trying to fly. He soon meets a friend who helps him fly and realizes it’s okay to be ordinary. The genre of this story is a picture book. The illustrations on each page are filled with detailed pictures of pond life and nature. I love this story and the cd version that comes along with it. My son (five) also loves it and he enjoys just listening to the cd sometimes without the book. The story teaches children that it is okay to just be you. I rated this book with five stars because it teaches an important message to children, it has beautiful illustrations, and I can use this book in my classroom. I use this book in my classroom to introduce pond life by having the children tell me what and who live in the pond. The age group recommend for this book are two to five year olds. Eric Drachman writes wonderfully bright books for children he also wrote “Leo the Lightning bug” which is another one of my favorite children’s book.

[Stephanie Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Frog Thing written by Eric Drachman and illustrated by James Muscarello is a picture book that is also and audio book. This book is a Benjamin Franklin Award winner and I rated it 5 stars because it teaches that you can do anything that you want to do within reason. Meaning, that humans may want to fly and they can fly with the help of an airplane. This book is intended for ages 3 and above. This book tells the story of a frog named Frank who desperately wants to fly. However, Frank knows that flying is a bird thing and not a frog thing but he does not care and he sets his mind to learning to fly. The plot is simple and easy to understand and it has a surprise ending. The characters which are frog and birds are given human like qualities which is called anthropomorphism. The illustrations are bright and detailed. I think this book will appeal to young readers because the audio disc that comes with the book brings the story to life with music, dramatic readings by young children along with the sound effects, so even children who can't read can follow along and enjoy the story.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

After hating half of the 10 books I reviewed yesterday 9/10/13, and not doing much better the week before I thought I was maybe I being too cynical, and critical or did the books just stink?

I kept thinking, I want to read a really good book, there has to be a really good book to read in this library I can read today. HERE IT IS!

This book was very nice!!! The story is very sweat, without being sappy!. I love how the Frog worked hard for his dream to fly, but I love that his kind parents say " You can be anything you anything, as long as they are frog things" Frogs shouldn't fly that isn't part of their nature, and the parents were being awesome parents guiding their child. "They don't understand" Frank Thought "We Understand" The parents said. In the end his gets his wish but he also realizes he needs to be the best frog he can be!

The pictures are great, the story was very good and I am glad to know there is a book I can write a positive review about today!

[Christen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The picturebook app of this book is about a young frog who wants to fly. His parents tell him he can do any "frog thing" he puts his mind to, but he is determined to fly. After rescuing a baby bird by swimming, the mama bird thanks the frog by taking him on a flight of his own. The story is appealing to young readers. It is narrated with a clear expressive voice and well timed with good pacing. Each character in the book is given a different "voice." Words are highlighted as they are read so young readers can follow along. Readers have the option to record their own voice and read the book hearing their voice. The app is slightly interactive as readers can touch individual words to hear them re-read. Readers turn the pages like reading a physical book.

[Elizabeth Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of the book about the train who wanted to do something but couldn't at first. He kept trying until he was able to. This book teaches an important lesson for children to learn, you can do whatever you put your mind to. Frank the frog was determined to fly even though he did not have wings. He eventually figured out a way to do what he wanted to do. Which is an example of why I think this book can be used for discussing problem solving. Other topics I think this book will be useful for are social emotional, self-concept, self-efficacy, friends, and determination.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Franks wants to fly. Frank really wants to fly. Frank is a frog. Frogs don't fly. Even after his parents explain to him that flying just isn't a frog thing Frank doesn't give up.

He gets his chance after saving a baby bird from drowning. The mother bird is so grateful she agrees to help Frank fly. After rounding up another adult bird to help the mother bird has Frank hold onto a twig held between the two birds. Together the birds take Frank flying.

I love this story. It shows that anything is possible with a little help.

[Paula Heller · Rating 5 out of 5]

We can do anything if we set our mind at it. This books shows children and reminds parents that we can do and become anything we want to be if we work hard enough for it. The book also shows children that we all do things in our own way; we all have a different purpose in life and our own skills to get us there. The story teaches children how to think of different ways to accomplish a goal, and how to believe in ourselves and even in our loved ones.

[Holly N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Determination and self-efficacy are the important messages in A Frog Thing by Eric Drachman. Even though people laughed at him, Frank was not discouraged and found a different way to carry out his goal. I think many young children can relate to Frank in this matter. This book is a great tool for teaching children about perseverance and resilience, which are postive character traits that can lead to academic success.

[Ina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank the Frog dreams big. Simple text and breathtaking illustrations tell his story. His parents, who told him he could do anything, had to explain that there are limitations in life when Frank declares he wants to fly. "That's a bird thing," they tell him and remind him that he is a frog and so he should want to do "Frog things." Frank does get a chance to experience flight, but in the end he determines to be the best swimmer in the pond.

[Kell* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviosly my rating reflects how much I loved this book. I love how it encourages students to accomplish things to their best ability. I would love to incorporate goal setting into my classroom for each student and this would be a great introduction to that lesson. This story is about a family of frogs and the youngest sets his heart on flying.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank wants to fly, but finds he is faced with an obstacle that he can't overcome. When he is put in a situation where he must swim to save a baby bird, the mama bird repays him by taking him for a ride. He realizes that, although he can't do everything, what he can do is certainly special.

Great illustrations!

[Stephanie Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great children's book. The illustrations in the book were amazing and so beautiful. I also loved the theme of the story. This book teaches children that we may not be able to do everything, but we can still excel at the things we are made to do. All we need is the determination to keep trying.

[Katherine Cowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A frog decides he wants to fly, and his parents have to explain that when they said he could anything he wanted, they meant any "frog thing". I loved this book--it's The Little Engine that Could meets the real world. It says, embrace your dreams, but in a way that helps children (and adults) understand that there are limits and happiness is found within the right expectations.

[Debee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story line... Encourages one to think outside the box and test out those dreams...
The accompanying CD makes this story even richer! Love the voices & background sounds.
When I presented this book to my students it was quickly a favorite that was shared over & over again!
A must have for any frog fan.. Regardless of age.

[Samantha Bowser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A frog that wants to fly sounds as interesting as it raining cats and dogs. This book was very well written and a great lesson for kids. It teaches them that they can do anything within reason. Everyone has his/her talents and they should use them. This was a fun book to read in the modern fantasy section!

[Keren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frog wanted to do something that was not typical on his kind. This book shows determination. No matter how much others told him he could not he still dreamed. this is a great book to inspire children to focus on their dreams. It worked out for frog in the end. Not how he thought it would, but this led him to realize that he was special being himself.

[Monae · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sky is the limit. I like how this book gives the example of don't give up. As human or animals we have our own purpose. Some animals are meant to fly, some are meant to jump, and some are meant to run. The frog didn't believe that he couldn't do fly and was determined to do it until it was done. It may not have ben the actual way but eventually he was able to fly

[Chantana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read this book in my class today. I was so excited to read this book because it has so much character. This book tells of the determination of a young frog who wants to fly. The message in this story is a very strong captivating message that shows how anything can be achieved if you keep an open positive mind.

[Gricel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great choice to read to children to encourage perseverance and problem solving. The main message of the book is that if you have a clear and strong desire to do something, you will find the way to do it by yourself or with others help. It is a very well illustrated book with audio to enhance children's experience. Age 4-9.

[Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, odd-looking frogs. Rewards good deeds, thinking outside the box and aiming high. The end wasn't so great, though...I'm not sure I like the moral of the story.

I haven't listened to the CD yet.