The Children’s Book Review | April 28, 2014
Age Range: 2-7
Hardcover: 32 Pages
Publisher: Knopf Books (January 7, 2014)
ISBN: 978-0385753722
What to expect: Fantastic Illustrations, Family Intrigue, Siblings, Wit
A beautifully drawn, charming tale about the difficulties of becoming a big brother.
The subtitle for this book is Becoming a big brother is hard, and for Little Frog, the big brother at the center of this story, it certainly is. Tadpoles, after all, can’t do much of anything. They can’t build a tower, or play the drums, or even jump rope. All they really seem to excel at is taking attention away from Little Frog, and consuming all of his parent’s time. They can’t read him a story; they can’t give him his goodnight kiss.
But tadpoles grow up. And soon enough Little Frog is building towers higher than ever with his nine brothers and sisters, very happy in his new role as a big brother.
Tatyana Feeney makes a wise choice in putting her new-addition story into a frog family, since newborns—at least to the older sibling—probably do seem about as distant as tadpoles. The transformation from tadpole to young frog charmingly captures the transition from newborn to sibling, while also gesturing toward just how huge the change of those first few months can be, particularly from the perspective of an older sibling who wants to play with the new arrivals.
It would be difficult to praise the drawings in this book adequately. Even the font is creative and an intricate part of the book’s feel. Feeney’s minimalistic illustrations rise above the usual adjectives—realistic, playful, fun—becoming artful expressions of the book’s kind and thoughtful center.
Add this book to your collection: Little Frog’s Tadpole Trouble
About the Author
Originally from North Carolina, TATYANA FEENEY studied illustration at the North East Wales College of Art and Design and now lives in Ireland. She is also the author of Small Bunny’s Blue Blanket and Little Owl’s Orange Scarf.
Little Frog’s Tadpole Trouble, by Tatyana Feeney, was reviewed by Trevor Laurence Jockims. Follow along with our Tatyana Feeney tag to discover more of her books, or, check out our siblings tag for more books on new babies and beyond.