Finklehopper Frog [Hardcover]

Irene Livingston (Author), Brian Lies (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Finklehopper Frog

Jogging is the thing to do in town, and Finklehopper Frog is eager to join in. To mark the occasion, Finkle finds an extra special jogging suit then hits the road.He hippied and he hoppied and he sang a sweet ker-chog,until he started wondering is THIS the way to jog? Finklehopper'¬?s doubts grow until one smart bunny helps Finkle discover that being part of the crowd doesn'¬?t mean casting aside your own froggy style. Catchy, rhythmic prose and peppy vernacular are paired with bright illustrations of a distinctive animal community in what is sure to become an all-time read-aloud favorite.Recipient of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio'¬?s Gold Award. Lively diversity title. Highlights physical exercise for young children.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-Finklehopper Frog wants to join the exercise crowd. Dressed in his new jogging suit that's almost electric with its brightly colored stripes and circles, he "hippied and he hoppied," which makes the other animals laugh at him. Elephants carry water bottles, bats wear running shoes, and snakes sport sweatbands. Only Ruby Rabbit points out that Finklehopper's style suits him just fine, and he hops along with his usual frog expertise. Lies entertains with a full range of cartoon expressions and strict attention to the smallest details in the lives (and jogging attire) of more than 30 animals. With rhyming verse, Livingston points out the strengths of individuality and diversity. Large-font text overlays full-page art done in acrylic paint, creating an entertaining read-aloud.
Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. The premise isn't new, but the fresh art and animal cast will appeal to children learning about self-esteem. In his urgency to join the fitness trend, Finklehopper buys a silly looking outfit and takes up jogging, even though he's used to hopping. The other animals laugh at him. Finally, another hopper, Ruby Rabbit, encourages Finklehopper to quit trying to be like everyone else and just HOP. The acrylic-paint illustrations in bright, summery colors feature comical images of animals tricked out in exercise garb: an alligator wears headphones, a turtle sports a baseball cap, a cat jogs in a pink tracksuit. They all run on their hind legs like humans, and the blend of animal and human traits is clever and funny: the chimp who runs the clothing store where Finklehopper buys his jogging suit holds up hangers with her toes as well as her fingers. The rhythmic text will be fun to read aloud, and the story may encourage kids to get up and do some hopping of their own. Diane Foote
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 30 pages
• Publisher: Tricycle Press; 1st ed edition (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582460752
• ISBN-13: 978-1582460758
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 0.4 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #834,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finklehopper Frog a "Feel-Good" Treat!, April 5, 2003

By 

Sue McIntyre (Port Moody, B.C., Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Finklehopper Frog (Hardcover)

Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly, and Finklehopper Frog has gotta...jog! Finklehopper is so excited to join the jogging craze, he even buys himself a jazzy jogging suit. But Finklehopper's enthusiasm dwindles when some of the animals say he dresses funny and he doesn't jog right!

Our hero Finklehopper hurtles through this hilarious and heartwarming story of optimism and courage and wins our hearts as he discovers his own way to go (with a little help from his friends, of course).

Irene Livingston's rhyming narrative is fresh, original and respectful of her young audience:

"He hippied and he hoppied
and he sang a sweet ker-chog,
until he started wondering,
'is this the way to jog?'"

Brian Lies' illustrations are vibrant and rich in delightful detail. Readers are drawn into a world where snakes shop for sweatbands and somebody must live in the storm sewer, because there's a mailbox at the door.

This is a picture book that parents will be glad to read "again." It's sure to be a favourite for anyone who has ever wondered if they dare try something new. Don't miss this delicious and encouraging treat.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mom ta 2, October 7, 2004

By 

C. Higby "toots" (CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Finklehopper Frog (Hardcover)

I was pleasantly surprised to find such a sweet little lesson wrapped around a delightfully beautiful book. The frog buys a jogging suit that is really "rockin" and goes out to jog. Along the way he gets made fun of not only for his clothing but the way he jogs. In the end he learns that we are all differnt individuals...but special for who we are. My son love the rythem and the pictures. It was an excellent purchase and sure to be a family favorite!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars we can't put it down!, May 3, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Finklehopper Frog (Hardcover)

My husband bought this book for our 15-month old son and it has quickly become a favorite. He laughs at the silly rhymes and smiles as he points to Finklehopper hoppin' and a boppin' along. Even at this young age, he knows a good book...we read it every night and sometimes he even wants to take it into his crib with him! Are there more books out there by Irene Livingston?!