A Frog in the Bog [Hardcover]

Karma Wilson (Author), Joan Rankin (Illustrator)

Book Description

There's a small, hungry frog sitting on the log in the middle of the bog.

He flicks ONE tick off of a stick.

He sees TWO fleas in the reeds.

He spies THREE flies buzzing in the skies.

The frog is feeling pretty fine, but then...

the log in the middle of the bog starts to rise....

What a surprise!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

You may already know an old lady who swallowed a fly, but you're about to meet her chief competition: "a frog on the log in the middle of the bog." Author Karma Wilson (Bear Snores On) teams up with illustrator Joan Rankin in a delightfully bouncy, rhythmic jaunt through the culinary exploits of said frog. Young readers will quickly get the hang of the story, as the amphibious protagonist swallows most of the insect population of a bog. Starting small ("He flicks ONE tick/ as it creeps up a stick"), he quickly works his way up: "ONE tick, TWO fleas, THREE flies (Oh my!),/ FOUR slugs (Ew, ugh!) in the belly of the frog/ on a half-sunk log/ in the middle of the bog." As the greedy frog’s belly grows, we are treated to a hilarious view of the claustrophobic quarters within. Is there any hope for these hapless bugs, or are they destined for digestion? Rankin’s watercolors are both beautiful and comical, appealing to readers of all ages. Highly recommended! (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-This imaginative counting book will keep children laughing as a little frog eats his way through a variety of swamp delicacies, including "ONE tick," "TWO fleas," "THREE flies (Oh, my!)," "FOUR slugs," and "FIVE snails." Upon consuming each snack, "the frog grows a little bit bigger." After he has reached massive proportions, he is suddenly startled when the log he has been resting on develops a pair of yellow eyes and wide jaws. He screams "Gator!" opening his own mouth so wide that the creatures he has eaten are able to escape from his crowded stomach. The countdown is from five to one as the frog shrinks back to his normal size. Happily, the gator loses interest and swims away, because "the itty-bitty frog/isn't big enough to chomp." This gastronomic adventure is told in catchy rhyming verse, complemented by soft, dreamy watercolors that perfectly re-create the bog. The illustrations are enhanced by humorous details, including a flea circus set up in the background, the frog's jaunty sun hat, and the expressive faces of the swamp creatures crammed into the frog's belly. Reminiscent of "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly," this quirky counting book makes a fine companion to similar titles such as Marilyn Singer's Quiet Night (Clarion, 2002) and Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Philomel, 1969).
Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689840810
• ISBN-13: 978-0689840814
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 11.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #809,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a wife, mother of three, writer and photographer. I love to write fun stories, poems, songs, etc... I especially love to write in rhyme because I think that well written rhyme naturally teaches children to expand their vocabulary and love books and reading.

I spend my time in the wilds of northwest Montana, where there are lots of bears and animals like the ones in my bear books! I love the wilderness and all of the animals that live there. My husband and children are also avid lovers of the outdoors.

I am also an amateur photographer. Give me a camera and I'll spend hours snapping photos.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful book for young children, October 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: A Frog in the Bog (Hardcover)

I first encountered this book at a local children's bookstore when it was read during story time. My 2-1/2 year old son loves this book. It is written in a wonderful "sing-song" style, which keeps my son's attention. The illustrations are really beautiful too. A wonderful book.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story - beautiful illustrations, April 21, 2004

By 

steveirwin "steveirwin" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Frog in the Bog (Hardcover)

This is a very fun read! The rhyme has such a flow and pattern that's enjoyable to say and hear - it just rolls off your tongue. The illustrations are superb - the size of the pages and their images fill your vision with a multitude of wonderful colors, and the characters are adorable. And it's funny to boot! This has become one of the favorites in my house. Beautifully done!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've read this countless times, but..., February 3, 2005

By 

Daniel L Edelen (Mt. Orab, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Frog in the Bog (Hardcover)

...My four-year old son clamors for it again and again.

And why not? Karma Wilson and Joan Rankin's simple, yet witty tale of a frog that bites off more than he can chew is absolutely charming. From his insatiable appetite ("what a hog that frog") that slurps one tick, two fleas, three flies, four slugs and five snails right into an ever-expanding gullet, to the surprise of his life at the end of the tale, this frog on a half-sunk log in the middle of a bog is slimy fun.

Not only are the watercolors by Rankin picture perfect and lighthearted, but the Cajun-inspired meter of Wilson's verse just lilts right off the old tongue, even if the closest you've ever been to "N'Awlins" is New York City. Everything in this book works, from the word play to the expressions on the faces of the bugs crammed inside the frog's stomach.

Nothing gives me more pleasure than to have my child so excited to read a book, even if he's heard the story a thousand times. As a youngster starting to read in spurts, this book has encouraged him to read it all by himself. He wanted to make sure he knew all the words. What better recommendation can a parent give than that a book inspires a child to want to be a better reader!

I probably would not have picked this one up at first glance, but now I know that dad doesn't always judge books well by their covers. So I guess even a four-year old can teach a forty-two year old a thing or two about great literature.

Get the book. Your kids will love it (as Justin Wilson, the Cajun Chef used to say), "I geh-rawn-tee!"