Customer Reviews

Frog Went A-Courtin'

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The time was when the song Frog Went A-Courtin' (or as I remember it Froggie Went A-Courtin') was known to every man woman and child in the continental United States. Today, this is not the case. The story of the frog dandy and his lovely rodent bride is no longer sung half so much as it once was. What is to blame for this strange turn of fortune? Interspecies dating fears? A loathsome repugnance to frog songs? I have no idea. Just the same, it's a delight to think that books like the 1956 Caldecott winning "Frog Went A-Courtin'" can carry on the song's tradition, regardless of how often it is sung today.

In a respectful author's note at the beginning, writer John Langstaff explains the origins of the song. Transposed from Scotland to America (there's a wonderful picture of a small yellow frog jumping from one bank entitled "Scotland" to another bank entitled "America" accompanying the explanation) the song has changed and grown over the course of many many years. Langstaff is quick to give credit where credit is due. Says he, "Sometimes the grownups might forget some of the words, and the children would make up words they liked better, and put them in the song". As a result, Langstaff credits the song to the hundreds of adults and children that passed it on to one another. His version is a combination of these, and perhaps the best possible. The narration is smooth and the lyrics scan perfectly. All in all, an enjoyable tale.

The illustrations are really what make this tale top notch. Artist Feodor Rojankovsky paired with Langstaff on a number of different picture books over the years. In this story, every scene is well thought out and delicate. The details are brought fully to life through Rojankovsky's adept inks and colored pencils. The froggy wears shiny black boots with spurs, flipper shaped for his comfort. Bugs and beetles wear the latest 1955 fashions and gleam blue-black against their surroundings. Totally aside from the beauty of the illustrations is the fact that every animal in this book is perfectly presented. You have little doubt that Rojankovsky spent much of his time discovering exactly how many legs a bumblebee has so that he could draw one playing the banjo [just] right. In a lovely parting shot the mouse and the frog are on a steamer headed for a honeymoon in France. Froggie has doffed a beret and the two are reclining on the deck, happy as you please. The book is endlessly charming and entirely too wonderful to ever be forgotten. Do yourself a favor immediately and locate yourself a copy tout de suite.

Frog Went A-Courtin', is a story of a fantacy genre which was written in Scotland over 400 years ago, where it was told and sung to the children. As people began to move from Scotland to America they brought the "Frog and Mouse" song with them. John Langstaff explained this in the front of the book. Today, it is mainly read aloud, but the great illustrations, done by Feodor Rojankovsky, give great detail with a broad range of color use. The book was awarded a Caldecott Medal for "The most distinguished American picture book for children." The book tells a story of a frog who went out to seek a bride and meets a mouse. The mouse will not marry until her uncle "Rat" gives consent. Then with the uncle's consent various animal's contribute to the Frog and the Rats wedding. The wedding seems to be going great until the cat comes in to destroy it. With the guest running off, the book ends with the Frog and the Mouse resting on the deck of a ship going to France.

I dare you to read this to your kids without adding the mmm-hmmm's.

I don't think it can be done -- they are just THERE.

So, we always read it as a sing-along. (This book has the music at the back, for your little ones to plunk on the piano.)

Great illustrations with lots of personality.

Mmmm-hmmm!

Frog Went A-Courtin' by John Langstaff and illustrated by Feodor Rojankovsky was an all time favorite with my children and by the reaction when I read (or sing) it to the children of today, it still is. This is quite a unique book which tells the old, old story of Froggy and his courtship with Miss Mousy. As the author of this work has stated in his forward, this song, or story, was first recorded in written form over 400 years ago in Scotland. It has gone thorough many changes since that time and has become a staple with American Folk Singers. I know I heard one of my favorite versions years ago done by Burl Ives. The Author has used a compilation of many of the versions of this song or tale, and there are many, and put them together to make this book.

The story starts with Frog putting on his shinny black boots, buckling on his pistol and sword, mounting his trusty steed and goes off courtin' to the home of the ever beautiful Miss Mousy. The text begins, "Frog went a-courtin', he did ride, sword and pistol by his side...." The story ends with the lines,

"The Frog and the Mouse they went to France
And this is the end of my romance.

Frog's bridle and saddle are laid on the shelf.
If you want anymore, you need sing it your self!"

Of course the middle part of the story goes though the entire courtship right of the wedding, wedding feast and marriage of our unlikely couple, including getting permission from Miss Mouse's Uncle Rat. The words of the entire version of this song are well written and the last page in the book gives you the music chords to use. The music is the mode used from the Southern Appalachian Mountains, which in my opinion, is the best. I must had heard at least fifteen versions of this song/story over the years and
the author has done an excellent job of putting them all together in this one.

The art work in this book though is the icing on the cake. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and extremely detailed. All of the critters, and there are many, are dressed in Victorian Garb or Early American all the way up through the mid 1950s. This makes for an interesting contrast. The colors are wonderfully blended and very eye catching. The painting simply pop out at you from the page and are busy enough to keep kids of all ages entranced.

I have found that this book can be very effectively either read or sung to a group of children with equal effect. It is meant for children from ages 4 through 8, but to be honest, I have used it in High School English Classes and it has been extremely effective, in particular with young men and women who are a bit better read, and more in tune with music history.

The little ones always get a kick out of this one and this is a work we need to keep in the public eye. One like this that is lost is a sad, sad thing. This one is certainly a keeper.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

My mother bought this book in 1956 for the first of her 8 children. At that time, it was a very expensive book. She has rocked and sang this book over the last 44 years to her children and grand-children. I have a copy and sing it to my son. He is instantly calmed by the rythmic beat. When I see the illustrations, I can still remember studying them as a little girl.

The card catalog description listed above is somewhat deceiving. Although I'm sure the story and the ballad have entered American folklore, this short children's book is simply a retelling of the 400-year-old Scottish folk ballad about a frog who courts and weds a mouse. It was illustrated by Feodor Rajankovsky and it won the 1956 Caldecott Medal for best illustration in a book for children.

Frog Went A-Courting is a delightful Scottish ballad that can be sung to a child. Changing voices for the various characters engages the child's interest even more. This book captures the playful spirit of the classic with beautiful illustrations and music. If you don't know the tune, you can find it on youtube.
LA

Great art work and story is fun and the kids like it a lot....good for multiple reads

This is wonderful I am 51 years old, and I read this book when I was in the second grade.I would sing the song til I fell asleep.When I had my first baby I would sing the song to her,she loved it. And when I discovered the book at amazon I was delighted I love it, love it.

My father would take me to the library every Saturday, and I'd run to the shelf where this book was kept. Sometimes we'd check it out, sometimes not, but he'd sing it to me every week, and before I entered school I had it all memorized. My library doesn't have this version any longer (though for the life of me I can't figure out why! They have other versions, but none is as charming as this one!), and I am tickled pink to find this version on Amazon so I can buy it for my children.