AUTHOR: Sue DeGennaro (Aust)
PUBLISHED: 2012
PLOT:
Frogboy (we never actually learn his name) loves dressing up. Camille loves numbers (and loves them so much she sometimes uses them instead of words). They are very different. Frogboy first met Camille when he was dressed like a cat. And being chased by a dog. He doesn't like being chased, and after exactly 11 days, Camille suggests he try a different animal. Hence the frog.
While they are making the frog costumes, Frogboy gets frustrated with Camille, he shouts at her and she leaves.
Frogboy doesn't like being alone and makes a list of pros and cons of being a frog.
He then goes to find Camille to say sorry.
REVIEW:
I have to say that the first time I read this to children, I wasn't blown away. After reading it aloud again, and considering the story, I
While on the surface it is a sweet book about being friends, there are a few more subtle issues that you could explore with children. E.G.
- The idea of replacing words with numbers, and how people communicate with each other.
- How different people can be friends. Ask children to consider the two characters. What is different about Frogboy and Camille? What is the same? What makes them friends?
- The importance of understanding things from another's point of view. Why did Camille leave? Why did Frogboy shout?
- The use of numbers in the illustrations, particularly when the children are speaking to each other.
On the surface, it is easy to get younger children (kindergarten/reception) to observe that Camille went away because Frogboy shouted at her, but with older children (yr 1/2) you could also trace the series of events which led to his shouting, which are as follows.
1. Frogboy knew that when Camille started singing her six times tables it meant she wanted a snack.
2. Since she kept singing louder and louder and becoming restless, we can infer that Frogboy was not sensitive to what she was telling him.
3. Frogboy shouted because Camille was restless.
4. Camille left because Frogboy shouted.
The numbers in the illustrations and storyline give this story that little something extra. Camille is depicted as offering numbers to Frogboy, and Frogboy's shout is interlaced with numbers. When he goes looking for Camille to say sorry, we see the buildings covered with numbers, indicating he is looking for her in her environment.
Some of the vocabulary in the story needs to be explained (pro, con, solitary).
When reading to kindergarteners, I explained pro and con when we read the title. When I read it in the story, I used the tone of my voice and gave a thumb-up/thumb-down sign while I read to help children's understanding without interrupting the flow of the story to remind them.
Since I generally dislike interrupting a story to explain things if I don't have to, I've become adept at adding explanation in my "reading voice". In other words, when the book said "Frogs are not solitary creatures." I read "Frogs are not solitary creatures; they don't like being alone," shaking my head and using emphasis.
AGE: 4+.
RATING: 5 stars. I wouldn't buy it for my home library, but it would be a lovely addition for school and public libraries.
