I'm a Hop Hop Hoppity Frog

Anne Hutchings, a former elementary-school teacher-librarian with the
Durham Board of Education, is an educational consultant.

Parents with very active youngsters will undoubtedly enjoy this book as
much as their children will. Certainly they will be able to relate to
and sympathize with Mr. and Mrs. Frog, whose offspring is in a state of
perpetual motion.

From dawn until dusk, the young frog is on the go. Fortunately, his
parents have plenty of energy themselves, and can join in the endless
fun and activities. At the end of the day, even after a “Super
Sleepy” bedtime story, the young frog can’t settle down. Patience
wearing thin, Mom and Dad have had enough and point the way to bed.
Reluctantly, the youngster gives in, goes to bed, and, like many of his
human counterparts, falls asleep instantly.

The young frog’s exuberance and joy in living are clearly evident in
the charming pencil-and-crayon illustrations accompanying this
delightful romp. Many amusing details are included, such as the chart
depicting the life cycle of a frog displayed (where else?) on the
refrigerator.

This selection would lend itself to choral reading and/or
dramatization. Preschoolers and primary-grade children would enjoy
mimicking the little frog’s movement: “[J]ump up … jump down …
Shake it left … shake it right … Run back and forth, South to
north.” It would be a useful supplement to primary-school science
collections as well as an excellent choice for a read-aloud.
Recommended.