Clara and Senor Frog [Hardcover]

Campbell Geeslin (Author), Ryan Sanchez (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Sawed in half? Rabbits pulled from hats? These are tricks, just magic tricks, and Clara knows them all. But on a visit to a rich gringo's house, she spots a picture of a watermelon, done by a famous artist. The painted fly on it looks so real, Clara swears she saw it move. At last, real magic! Soon Clara discovers her own artistic abilities and she paints as if from a dreamÑorange cats with silver wings and shells that open up like flowers. This beautiful, original story is peppered with Spanish words, features a character reminiscent of Diego Rivera, and vibrant illustrations that evoke the essence of Mexican art.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The author of Elena's Serenade (2004), and other books set in Mexico, here introduces a Mexican girl and her stepfather, a famous painter dubbed "Senor Frog" for his rotund form. The painter's explanation of his surrealistic portrait of Clara--"I picture you in a dream, and then I paint what I see"--encourages the fanciful girl to create pictures melding the real and unreal. The lengthy text lacks focus, and except for a mention on the flap copy, nothing addresses the obvious parallels between the painter and Diego Rivera (whose murals of Mexican folklife are clearly referenced in Sanchez's bold, evocative oils). Still, Clara's experience may resonate with children adjusting to their own stepparents, and the theme of tapping creativity makes this a natural tool for art instructors, especially if used with Jonah Winter's Frida (2002). Sanchez, who makes an impressive debut here, depicts Clara with a disproportionately large head; when interpreted as a physical expression of a rich, expansive inner life, the choice seems entirely appropriate. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Campbell Geeslin is the author of many books about children in Mexico. His most recent, Elena's Serenade, received three starred reviews and a Parents' Choice Award. Señor Geeslin lives in White Plains, New York.

Ryan Sanchez's work has been shown in galleries all over the world. He has illustrated for Spin Magazine, The New Republic, and The Village Voice. This is Señor Sanchez's first children's book. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (April 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375836136
• ISBN-13: 978-0375836138
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 0.4 x 11.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,324,322 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shades of Diego Rivera, August 31, 2007

By 

Camille "at the BookMoot!" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Clara and Senor Frog (Library Binding)

Clara is not happy when her mother is courted by a famous artist named, Miguel. In her mind, Clara calls him Señor Frog. Her mother is a magician's assistant so Sara is fascinated with the idea of magic. Señor Frog's painting intrigues her and when he paints her, wearing a white peasant dress in a mural, she marvels at the "magic" that places her image on the wall. Señor Frog invites her to paint with him and Clara discovers that painting unleashes her own imagination or "magic." This is an upbeat story of a schild and step parent relationship.
Ryan Sanchez evokes the personage of Diego Rivera with Señor Frog's rotund, mustached figure and his style as a muralist. The flowers that Clara is holding in her mural portrait are directly inspired by Rivera's paintings.

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute story and with amazing Illustrations!, February 26, 2009

By 

James Malone "James Malone" (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Clara and Senor Frog (Hardcover)

This is a cute story and the artwork/illustrations are amazing and done by a master!

5.0 out of 5 stars A CHILD'S DELIGHT, May 19, 2007

By 

William F. Foley (Pelham, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Clara and Senor Frog (Hardcover)

"Clara & Senor Frog" is am exciting, imaginative story for any child. The pictures and words are magical. Campbell Geeslin has done it again, with another winner (like his "How Nanita Learned to Make Flan" and "Elena's Serenade"). Book reviewers and parents have praised these stories and we look for more from this amazing author.
-Bill Foley