Friend Frog  

by Alma Flor Ada

Pick of the Lists American Booksellers Association

Field Mouse wants a friend. A friend to share secrets. One day he spots Frog by the pond and she seems perfect. But when Frog invites him to play, Field Mouse despairs. Frog can croak; Frog can jump; Frog can swim! Field Mouse can’t.  How will they ever be friends? Lori Lohstoeter has done the outstanding art.

Author’s Note : This very recent book is very dear to me, because, you see… I’m Field Mouse. Not very good at many things others find easy to do, I admire my friends who can sing, play instruments, compose music, paint, dance, who excel in many ways… It’s good to know that, like Field Mouse, I can offer a true friendship! A fascinating note on the making of the book. Wanting to be sure that Field Mouse would be drawn with total accuracy, Lori Lohstoeter got herself a little mouse which she observed as she sketched the book. This is why the pictures are so wonderful! Of course, once the art was finished she was too attached to her little friend to bring him back to the pet shop.

Reviews : From School Library Journal : Kindergarten-Grade 2-Poor Field Mouse is so wowed by Frog, who can jump, croak, and swim to beat the band, that he doubts whether the two of them can ever be friends. Then Field Mouse, who can't do anything as well as Frog can, discovers there is something he can do. The acrylic-on-illustration-board paintings use strong lines and deep earth tones to create the world of the pond and the field that the two protagonists inhabit. Their expressions communicate worlds-Frog, a fun-loving, enthusiastic sort, and poor, meek Field Mouse, whose face exudes palpable yearning. Pair this with John Schindel's I'll Meet You Halfway (McElderry, 1993; o.p.) and Kerry Argent's Wombat and Bandicoot: Best of Friends (Little, Brown, 1990; o.p.) for a storytime on the glories of friendship.
Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA

Illustrated by Lori Lohstoeter.
Published by Harcourt Brace.
Available at : www.delsolbooks.com and 1-888-335-7651. 
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