"If wishes were wings, a frog wouldn't bump his butt when he hops."
928811
If this saying cracks you up, you'll love this book.  If not, better skip it.  This author is Southern with a capital "S" and her story is a complicated one of a child raised in a family where love was in short supply.  She was raised by adoptive parents.  It's interesting that her future husband, after meeting her family for the first time, had the immediate reaction, " You MUST be adopted! There's no WAY you're related to those people."  He didn't know it at the time, but he was right!

In this, the author's second book, she tells of finding her birth mother and the joy of being loved and accepted by her birth family simply because she was HERSELF.  I've read other books by adoptees,  but never one that makes it so clear that giving a child up for adoption is a loss for the entire family, not just for the birth mother.  I don't mean to say that I am opposed to adoption, but it's a tough decision and one that may haunt the birth family for years to come.

While the author is getting to know her birth family, life goes on (as it always does.)  Her adoptive mother dies and her adoptive father remarries.  She is estranged from and then reunited with her daughter and grandson and a granddaughter is born.  Her son enters the military and survives a horrible car wreck.  Her husband is diagnosed with a serious progressive disease that forces him into early retirement.

Some readers may not find interest in an ordinary working woman's life. Some may be offended by her frequent references to her faith and how it has helped her survive hard times.  I found her story touching and compelling.  I think she speaks for many good, simple people who go through life trying to do the best they can for others.  She has my admiration.
947410
This is an adorable picture book about a frog with a not-so-adorable problem. He cant stop making bubbles in the pond (if you catch my drift). His friends are fed up with the situation and tell Bubbles hes got to go. But then something happens in Frog Pond that changes how all the frogs feel about Bubbles.

This light-hearted story has a message built into it about the importance of friendship. The vibrant pictures bring you right up close into Bubbles and his friends little world of Frog Pond. The carefully worded text moves the story along at a fast enough pace to keep the attention of young children. On top of all of this books other endearing qualities is the fact that my three-year-old giggles almost continuously whenever we read this story. That makes Bubbles: Big Stink in Frog Pond a winner in our house.

*I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
1643428
The parable of a bird who chooses to follow his dreams over convention, one cannot help but be inspired.

Bach clear lucid prose and easy to follow story telling also cannot help but to challenge the reader to themself choose dreams over convention and in so doing really know what it is to fly.
4489383
The frog is a delight.  The only problem I have is when washing it out it is hard to get the small pockets in the bottom, created by the feet, dry so it can be used again.

Everyone who sees it comments about how much they enjoy the presence of this delightful critter.
71434
Floats beautifully. . Looks fierce. Still doesn't scare the ducks from using the pool as a toilet. Any  ideas?
3718772
It want to float even with all air out. Had. To put brick on top to stop it from floating
1193048
Arrived just as they said it would and my frog likes it.
3546144
Frog and his friends were preparing for Thanksgiving, one of their favorite holidays.  Its a time of love.  And sharing, Frog explained to all of them.  They were using a stump as a table and they even thanked the trees roots for letting them use it.  They began to place food on the stump as everyone began to gather round.  Theres was a squirrel sitting on a stone, a pair of robins, peered down from a branch, a possum leaned forward to offer up her share, and even crickets came to the celebration.  Very hungry, extra-super-hungry Hippo showed up late with a napkin already tucked under his chin.  I had Thanksgiving dinner at Little Zoo, he explained, but was ready for more!

There was plenty more, even for hungry Hippo, and the table was set with many different foods.  There were flies, mealworms, caterpillars, ants, and even kale and wild mushroom salad with watercress dressing.  Mmmmmmm!  There was something for everyone and everyone was welcome, even little Hedgie the hedgehog.  All was well until Hedgie spotted Hippo.  Frogs eyes grew wide and those quills went high and Hedgie curled up into a spiky ball.  Everyone noticed Hedgie and soon there would be trouble, or so they thought.  Little Possums, Possum cried out, Come to Mama.  Do not go near the hedgehog!  This was supposed to be the best Thanksgiving ever, but what could frog do with everyone running away?

This trio of humorous holiday tales will delight Frog and Friends fans.  Naturally Frog had to reassure everyone that Hedgie was quite harmless while all the while reassuring Hedgie that no one would hurt him.  These short tales are a great addition to holiday books, especially with the addition of a New Years Eve tale.  There are an abundance of Thanksgiving and Christmas tales, but not as many to start off a new year.  Newly independent and confident readers can tackle this book alone or with a minimum of assistance with more difficult words such as somersaults.  The artwork, combined with the exciting, humorous tales with Frog and his friends, has high appeal that young readers are definitely drawn to.

Grades 1 to 2

FROG AND FRIENDS (I Am A Reader):

<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Frog-and-Friends/dp/1585366897/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Frog and Friends</a>
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Frog-and-Friends-Party-at-the-Pond/dp/1585366900/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Frog and Friends:  Party at the Pond</a>
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Frog-and-Friends-The-Best-Summer-Ever/dp/1585366919/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Frog and Friends:  The Best Summer Ever</a>
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Frog-and-Friends-Frogs-Flying-Adventure/dp/1585368067/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Frog and Friends:  Frogs Flying Adventure</a>
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Frog-and-Friends-Outdoor-Surprises/dp/1585368083/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Frog and Friends:  Outdoor Surprises</a>
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Frog-and-Friends-Frog-Saves-the-Day/dp/1585368105/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Frog and Friends:  Frog Saves the Day</a>
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Frog-and-Friends-Frogs-Lucky-Day/dp/1585368938/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Frog and Friends:  Frogs Lucky Day</a>
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Frog-and-Friends-Celebrate-Thanksgiving-Christmas-and-New-Years-Eve/dp/1585368970/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Frog and Friends:  Celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve</a>

Grades 1 - 2

This book courtesy of the publisher.
2930935
This frog is probably as close to a repo dress frog as gets shiney leather not buff it is sewn not riveted as dress frogs were and the wasp waist is good my only complaint I didn't know they cut the leather from the frog stud hole to the top it would have been and look better to have just enlarged the stud hole.
3038412
Cute story about a bird that even though she tries and tries she still can't get flying down. She finally learns to trust someone and gets the help she needs to fly.
408357
Is the illustrator's last name really Hopgood for this frog book?  If so, one of life's more entertaining coincidences.

So, the illustrations are really wonderful for this non-fiction book about frogs.  As a preschool - high school educator, former principal, am delighted with attractive non-fiction books for young children.  The illustrations - and frogs - charm in this book.  Frogs really are magical.

There are many fascinating details about the myriad frogs in the world.  Some frogs keep their babies safe in their mouth.  Some are poisonous and colorful so predators won't eat them. The only thing to improve this book is that it could have been longer.  The illustrations are magnificent.  4.5 stars
309609
Very cute story with the same characters as I Don't Want to be a Frog. This time frog doesn't want to grow up.
2510859
Kind of silly, but good enough for a costume.  The bird doesn't want to sit all that straight, but it's good enough.
4121098
He really is a cute looking frog. The plate underneath swivels to reveal an empty hole. Mine came really close and I'll have my husband look at it. Ideally if it is a swivel plate, the other side should have something to anchor it.
2370979
Delightful illustations and story abot a clever frog and and an unlucky fly. My grandson,6, asked me to read it over and over.
2827194
Bubbles is a tiny frog and he is a little stinker....literally.  How do you think he got that name? He is bubbled propelled. His problem is his bubbles emit an offensive odour that drives everyone underwater just to get away from them.  Poor Bubbles.... he farts AND he smells!!!

His froggy friends suggest that if perhaps he changes his diet his gastro problems might be eliminated, so Bubbles gives that a go.  Alas it is useless, he is doomed to stinketh forever he doth think.

His friends finally cannot stand the stench one more minute and they cast him out.  He reluctantly goes and as he is swimming away he suddenly hears a commotion happening back in the pond.  A group of nasty kids have landed on the bank and are trying madly to attack his froggy friends.  Without a moment's hesitation Bubbles heads back and saves the day with his weapons of mass destruction.....his putrid toots.

 Will his friends seeing Bubbles bravery and sense of loyalty to them overturn their decision of banishment and let him stay amongst them?  Will they finally accept him for who he is....funky bubbles and all?

The book is entertaining and just plain fun.  It will be a hit especially with boys  who love to talk about body functions...especially ill-scented ones.  The story inspires kids not to be afraid of being different and to be creative as they work through problems together.

The illustrations are whimsical and Bubbles is depicted as an adorable, loveable main character.  A little red ladybug is tucked into the illustrations on every page so it is a fun game trying to spot her. The book is a great reminder that we are not all the same but we must come together and celebrate each other's differences.
3732864
This review is really from Puck, the budgie. In three words, he won't eat it. It sounds good to me, but when it gets near him, he runs.