The Frog Who Wanted to Be a Singer [Hardcover]

Linda Goss (Author), Cynthia Jabar (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Frog is feeling mighty bad, mighty sad, and mighty frustrated. He wants to be a singer, but in the forest where Frog lives only birds are allowed to sing. After much practice on his lily pad, one day he says to himself, "I'm tired of holding all this inside me. I want to sing. I can sing, and I'm going to be a singer!" What happens as Frog sets out to achieve his dream surprises everyone, including Frog himself. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A frustrated amphibian with a dream propels this picture book about the power of self-confidence. More than anything, Frog longs to belt out his soulful songs before an audience. However, the birds are the only beasts in the forest to land a singing gig, and-along with most of the other animals-they laugh at Frog's aspirations. ("Fool, you crazy?... Frogs don't sing in this place"). But buoyed by his parents' support and his need to express his talent, Frog books himself at the Big Time Weekly Concert, where, after an embarrassing bout of stage fright, he lets loose with a boogie-woogie solo. A huge hit, he inspires a number of dance crazes among his fans. Goss's (coauthor of Talk That Talk) chatty, laid-back, blues-infused storytelling ("Have you ever been frustrated? That's right, I said frustrated. Tell the truth now") immediately wins the attention of readers, and her sympathetic tone leads children through the somewhat lengthy text at a good pace. Jabar's (No Hickory, No Dickory, No Dock) vibrantly colored scratchboard characters on black backgrounds take center stage. Such spirited yet sweet scenes as Frog crooning with eyes closed and a huge grin on his face, or parting his "hair," and elephants gleefully doing the bump are particularly memorable. An author's note discusses the African roots of blues music and its offshoots in American popular music. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?Little Frog "feels mighty bad, mighty sad, mighty mad, and mighty frustrated!" He wants to be a singer, and he knows he has talent, but in his part of the woods only birds are allowed to sing. He finally convinces Brother Fox, the boss of the Big Time Weekly Concert, to let him be the opening act for the popular Friday show. When the big night arrives, stage fright sets in and Frog must find the strength to turn a bad situation around with "The-Show-Must-Go-On" finesse. This upbeat pourquoi tale has definite soul with Boogie-woogie undertones. Youngsters will relate to Frog's feelings and will admire his initiative to turn a failure into a success, just by being himself. This picture book has some backstage notes about Frog's "dooba dooba" tune and explains its role as the root of Rhythm and Blues. Traditional Boogie-woogie patterns appear on the endpapers. Jabar's clever scratchboard illustrations complement the lively text with vivid colors and bold use of line. A creative selection that is conducive to storytelling.?Kathy Mitchell, Gadsden Co. Public Library, Quincy, FL
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Orchard Books (NY) (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531068951
• ISBN-13: 978-0531068953
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,023,706 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars buy this book!, February 27, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Frog Who Wanted to Be a Singer (Hardcover)

One of the best childrens' books I've read in years! It encorporates strong morals (you be anything you want to be), family values, and even has a little song for the frog to sing so your children can sing along with the characters. Excellent

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, December 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Frog Who Wanted to Be a Singer (Hardcover)

This book is wonderful. I collect and have read many children's books. This is one of the finest stories I have read. The illustrations add great beauty to the book as well. A great buy!