Frogs (First Discovery Books) [Spiral-bound]

Scholastic Books (Author), Gallimard Jeunesse (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Series: First Discovery Books

Provides a treasury of fascinating frog facts while answering a variety of questions, including how tadpoles become frogs, how frogs catch bugs, what frogs say when they croak, and the differences between frogs and toads.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Spiral-bound: 30 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590937820
• ISBN-13: 978-0590937825
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,356,228 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An okay addition to the series, February 7, 2006

By 

Lydia Joyce - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frogs (First Discovery Books) (Spiral-bound)

This series is an imitation of the Eyewitness format for younger readers. It is most appropriate for ages 2-5.

This pictures are gorgeous, like all the books in this series. And like virtually all the books, it runs into some serious problems when it comes to its actual content!

The biggest problem is that the "frogs" in this book are one particular European species (called a "green frog" in the book), and so the information that it true about that one species isn't true about many frogs. This one "lives in the water almost all the time." It eats "frogs, worms, and other small animals" and is hunted by pike. Its vocal sacs are on the sides of its head.

There are translation errors, like calling the vocal sac a vocal bag.

There are poor definitions--like stating that most toads prefer to live on land instead of water, as if that were their defining characteristic, though it does mention the bumpy skin most common to toads.

There are outright factual errors, like the statements that "only amphibians...breathe underwater as babies but breathe on land as adults." They are the only VERTIBRATES, yes, but there are a number of insect species that live as larvae underwater and on land as adults.

I do like that the life cycles and habits of frogs are decently presented, and the brief mention of other amphibians works here. So does the distinction between reptiles and amphibians. Overall, the book is mediocre, but there are few alternatives for this age group, so I'd still recommend it with reservations.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GO KNEE DEEP & START BREASTSTROKING, January 8, 2001

By 

"hurburgh" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frogs (First Discovery Books) (Spiral-bound)

.

The First Discovery books are right at the leading edge of high quality children's picture books.

This series of books which continues to grow in number, pioneers the exciting technique of the "double sided overlay", a brilliant illustrating tool which brings excitement and almost dynamic movement to story telling. Perhaps one day we may even see this concept applied to website design?

This book on Frogs is almost luxurious in the depth and quality of its illustrations. The text that accompanies the pictures is succinct but informative and always engaging.

What is it about Frogs that is so appealing? Those bulging eyes, those comic sounds, those amazing leaps, that incredible fly catching tongue? This book captures that magic.

The metamorphosis from an egg to a tadpole to a frog must be many children's first introduction to the wonders of the animal kingdom. How many youngsters have been inspired to a lifetime interest (or even a career in life sciences) after observing or nurturing some frogs?

This book would be an ideal resource to support and enhance their interest.

5.0 out of 5 stars A great learning book!, May 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Frogs (First Discovery Books) (Spiral-bound)

My 4-year old just loves this book! He likes the see-through pages to flip back and forth between pictures. The text is not so long as to lose small ones' attention, but gives enough information that he can tell me many frog "facts".