Frogs are like dogs: one title does not fit all. There are a zillion types. As I say in my book A BOAT FULL OF ANIMALS: "There are all kinds of these jumping characters -- short-headed, glass-skinned, goliath-sized, teeny tiny ones, gliding ones, jumping, poison-arrows, some that live in the desert, some that live in the mountains, fields, swamps and trees." Besides that there are tongueless kinds, five-belly ones, spadefooted types, sharp-nosed, leopards, bullfrogs, carpenters, woods, green ones, brown ones, yellow ones, and on and on.
As varied as these generally green fellows are, their places of residence are just as numerous. These cover a wide range of terrains, inhabiting most every country. Their preferred habitat is, of course, water. They do not seem to be too picky about what form that water comes in… whether it's water from a clean, clear lake or water from a muddy stream or murky swamp.
Most species of these animals are streamlined with bullet-shaped bodies, large eardrums, protruding eyes, long, webbed toes and well-developed legs that enable them to jump to safety when danger is near.
Writers and illustrators of children's books have used these characteristics, those that are most common to most kinds of frogs, to create adorable, fascinating and memorable characters and stories. Children love them as these animals skip and leap across story pages.
In A BOAT FULL OF ANIMALS I use the example of the kind that live in trees with its sticky fingers in "The Frog Game." You might want to have your child or children play this game. It goes like this: "The sticky fingers of these fellows allow them to climb up, around and upside down on trucks and branches of trees without falling. This stickiness makes it possible for them to get where they want to go. The Frog Game is about this ability of sticking to it!
One of the main ingredients for being happy is being successful or completing what is started. This means sticking to something until it is done. Things like earning a merit badge, finishing a homework assignment, making a bed, making a beaded necklace, or reading a chapter in a book all add to your pile of successes. The bigger the pile the better you feel, and the happier you are with yourself. It all adds up.
Today play this game 5 times. Each time you start something, stick to it. Don't stop until you have finished! More finishes lead to more smiles.
Tonight take your green friend with his ability to stick to things, and put him on board your boat [As explained in the book, this boat is an imaginary boat within the child.] His successful ways will be a big help wherever you go. Then, of course, remind yourself: I am a happy child, the happier I am the happier I get!"
Books on These Amazing Creatures
I've included some of the best children's books on frogs, or have an important and fun jumping character in the story. I am also in the process of finishing my own special frog book, GERALD MCGILLIGOG'S DOG. I hope you hop right in and explore some of these charming books and share them with your young ones.