Horn Book Review
One young frog declares he'd rather be a cat, pig, rabbit, or owl than a wet, slimy, bug-eating frog. His dad has good counter arguments, but the little guy is convinced when a wolf says he eats cats, pigs, rabbits, and owls but not wet, slimy, bug-filled frogs. Silly illustrations of leggy frogs and quick-fire speech-balloon dialogue make for a humorous self-acceptance story. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A tiny frog desperately wishes to be any other animal.After reading a book about a cat, the young frog stretches open his mouth as wide as it will go and decidedly declares, "I want to be a CAT." His father patiently explains, "You can't be a CAT.Because you're a FROG." But frogs are too wet and slimy. The little frog then decides to be a rabbit. After all, he can already hop. But father points out that he does not have long ears. The young amphibian is not deterred. There are many other optionsa pig, perhaps? Or an owl? But his no-nonsense father explains away each one. Until a wolf, who enjoys eating many animalsexcept wet, slimy frogscomes along and changes the young frog's perspective. Debut author Petty presents a droll take on this oft-explored wish of being different. But what shines the brightest is Boldt's expressive frog duo. Question-weary grown-ups will understand the father's heavy-lidded eyes, and nothing embodies a childlike curiosity (and/or crazy, determined declarations) more than the tiny frog's wide-open mouth. Colored speech bubbles distinguish the speakers' words and tumble over each other on the page. A lively look at self-acceptance. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
