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9th out of 25 books
—
11 voters
Beware of the Frog
by
William Bee
With deliciously ugly villains and a gasp-inducing ending, this quirky tale of the unexpected will have readers croaking with laughter.
Sweet old Mrs. Collywobbles lives on the edge of a big, dark, scary wood, so it’s a good thing that she has a pet frog to protect her. Too bad for the Greedy Goblin, the Smelly Troll, and the Giant Hungry Ogre, who don’t take this little am...more
Sweet old Mrs. Collywobbles lives on the edge of a big, dark, scary wood, so it’s a good thing that she has a pet frog to protect her. Too bad for the Greedy Goblin, the Smelly Troll, and the Giant Hungry Ogre, who don’t take this little am...more
Hardcover, 48 pages
Published
June 24th 2008
by Candlewick Press
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Beware of the Frog is definitely not one of my favorite children's books that I have read. When I first picked it up I was intrigued by the bright, bold illustrations, but I thought that the story fell short. This books is about a little old woman who lives on the edge of the "big, dark, scary wood." The only thing that protects her from straggling, dangerous strangers is her pet the frog. As the story moves along we meet some of these scary strangers who all try to get past the frog. Each time...more
Pictures: Let's get one thing straight. I chose this book. There's a certain feel to the illustrations that remind me of 'Rosie's Walk' and what I associate with my childhood. In a way some of the humour in the pictures also pay homage to Pat Hutchinson's book, but there are a lot more words in this book. Apart from the colour scheme the pictures and creatures really are William Bee's own. There is a lot of detail in each illustration, so that the non reading child can infer a lot from context a...more
Oct 10, 2008
Walter
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
storytellers, people who like surprises, lovers of subversive children's literature
Recommended to Walter by:
Valerie Lewis
One of my favorites for storytelling this year--it goes with me everywhere! The trick is to oversell the retro style and the contrast between the too-sweet, repetitive style of the book, better setting up the ridiculous, startling, and outrageous surprises.
I find it works best with 1st - 3rd grades.
I find it works best with 1st - 3rd grades.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Genre: PB17
A great picture book for older kids. This story starts out so sweet and simple, but as you get into the story you find surprise after surprise! This is a different story than readers are expecting when it starts, but the twists and turns are what make this story great! A perfect blend of sweet and funny all in 1 story. Great illustrations and the story written by William Bee is a page turner.
Three words to describe this book: shocking, fun, great
A great picture book for older kids. This story starts out so sweet and simple, but as you get into the story you find surprise after surprise! This is a different story than readers are expecting when it starts, but the twists and turns are what make this story great! A perfect blend of sweet and funny all in 1 story. Great illustrations and the story written by William Bee is a page turner.
Three words to describe this book: shocking, fun, great
weeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiirrrrrrddddd. I was drawn to the illustrations and they were cool but this story is odd and I have to admit that the ending shocked me. My son didn't seem to be bothered by it but for some reason I was. I kind of didn't like it. Too dark and weird for me. I read another review that said this one would be good to add to a collection of really bizarre stories and I agree. If you were doing a small study or unit on the bizarre, this book is for you.
Mar 14, 2012
Melanie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
children-s-literature,
picture-book,
frogs,
old-age,
interactive,
humorous-stories,
pets,
fear,
monsters
A fabulous story about Mrs. Collywobbles who lives all alone at the edge of a dark forest. The only thing she has to protect her is her pet frog. When scary things show up at her house the frog gobbles up the intruders! Mrs. Collywobbles ask her pet frog how she can repay him for protecting her. The frog asks for a kiss. When Mrs. Collywobbles obliges she finds herself turned into a frog! She isn't pleased about that!
Sep 18, 2009
Crazy Uncle Ryan
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Crazy Uncle Ryan by:
Jenny
Shelves:
little-kid-books
I got a chance to read this little book when I went over to a friend's house to drop them off some apples from one of our apple trees. I read it while trying to ignore their youngest son who was taking one bite out of each apple and throwing them down the window well. I thought this was a cute little book that was very unique and fun to read. I will probably look at frogs differently for a little while.
Mrs. Collywobbles has a guard frog and she never has to worry about anything with him around. He knows how to take care of thieves, ogres and other nasty creatures that live in the woods and want to bother the sweet old lady. The ending definitely surprised me and my students have loved it! The 4K students couldn't stop laughing at this today! Great read aloud for the younger grades.
Primary students love this colorful tale of little, timid Mrs. Collywobbles and her pet frog. The frog defends her from the denizens of the scary, dark wood. The children respond to the traditional repeating patterns that set up a surprise ending. The repetitious word phrases give a clue to the final twist. A fun, humorous read aloud for both reader and audience.
Really enjoyed the illustrations in this book but I have to agree with those who didn't like the ending. Didn't fit. If Mrs. Collywobbles needed the frog's protection from the mean nasties, then she doesn't strike me as the type of person who would do what she did in the end. Didn't seem to fit the character. And it did feel just a bit too creepy too.
my son LOVED this book and asked for it EVERY nap time and bed time for weeks before we returned it to the library. He even asked for it a couple times during the day and once in the middle of the night when he woke up from a bad dream. A definite hit with the 3yo crowd in my house. And anything that encourages a love of reading is a plus in mom's book too
Mar 03, 2011
Tdavis
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Preschool - 2nd Grade
Shelves:
print-motivation,
preschool
A funny fairy tale(ish) with a guard frog who swallows each predator. The predators each have song, increasing phonological sensitivity. The surprise “Burp!” will have the children giggle.
Early Literacy Skills:
Narrative Skills
Phonological Awareness
Print Awareness
Print Motivation
Vocabulary
Early Literacy Skills:
Narrative Skills
Phonological Awareness
Print Awareness
Print Motivation
Vocabulary
This is my 4 year old's favorite library book of the week. He loves the monsters and the vibrant colors. My nearly 2 year old loved the monsters' sing song phrases and the "HEY PRESTO" surprise near the end. A strange, quirky story for sure, but my boys have asked for it countless times in the couple days since we got it from the library.
PB 23. I loved this book. Was it bizarre? Yes. Did the ending make me feel weird? Yes. However, I found myself completely in love with the illustrations and that attitude of the writing, and I think K-3 children would feel the same way. This book is incredibly well done, but very strange. I think this would make a hilarious read aloud.
A wonderful, quirky picture book. Sweet old Mrs Collywobbles lives on the edge of a big, scary wood, with only her pet frog to guard her. It's no ordinary pet frog though- it's got a mean streak a mile wild. And there's a real twist in the tale, at the end of the story. Wonderful, exuberant, colourful illustrations.
The story told, was kind of weird. I was not expecting the way it ended. I don't know if I would recommend it. But I guess if you want to read a weird book about a frog that protects it's owner, and, has a weird ending, it's all yours :) Yeah, I know, I used the word weird a lot, but that's how I felt.
A very strange book indeed! I really loved the colours and illustrations but decided not to use this one for my preschool story time because it is a little dark and would probably go over the heads of 4 year olds. Good for an older child who appreciates the bizarre and doesn't scare easily.
Mrs. Collywobble has a little pet frog who gobbles up anyone who threatens her: monsters, trolls, you name it! Lots of repetition to engage the kiddies.
In my opinion the best thing about this book are the hideous creatures who come to call! It also features an interesting, twisted ending.
In my opinion the best thing about this book are the hideous creatures who come to call! It also features an interesting, twisted ending.
Watch Frog! Beware!
Ms. Collywobbles lives at the edge of an enchanted forest. Unpleasant trolls, ogres, and other nasties wander out -- but she does not worry. Her watch frog protects her. When she rewards him with a kiss...the outcome is what you expect...and also not.
Illustrations remind me of those in "Drummer Hoff."
Ms. Collywobbles lives at the edge of an enchanted forest. Unpleasant trolls, ogres, and other nasties wander out -- but she does not worry. Her watch frog protects her. When she rewards him with a kiss...the outcome is what you expect...and also not.
Illustrations remind me of those in "Drummer Hoff."
I enjoy this book for storytimes. It's a little bit wordy, so I ususally use it as my first book. I wasn't sure how they would like the frog eating goblins and trolls, but they get a kick out of it. I also just love saying "Mrs.Collywobbles." :) It has a surpise twist at the end too.
PB#2: I thought this was a great book to practice characterization and introduce the concept of "bad guys" to young children. Also, it just goes to show that you shouldn't take something small (such as the frog) lightly--even the smallest of creatures can be very powerful!
An awesome, fun to read story about a sweet little old lady and her pet frog, and how they deal with the monsters that come out of the big, dark, scary wood next door. Fun to read aloud and my son has loved this book since the first time we read it (over 3 years ago).
pb14: I find this book a little strange, but at the same time I enjoyed it. I reaches out to the reader, and is able to grab your attention. The ending even comes as a surprise. It makes you feel like you know whats gonna happen, and then gives it a little twist.
A great storytime choice for school-age--or maybe a lap-read, too. I can hear the monsters singing their ditties and the frog taking care of things. And I certainly didn't expect that ending! Kids will love it.
(And way to re-use the illustrations!)
(And way to re-use the illustrations!)
A delightfully macabre picture book that turms a lot of fairy tale tropes on their heads. Great for storytelling or read-aloud. Dear sweet Mrs. Collywobbles lives right on the edge of the dark scary forest with her pet frog, but nothing is quite as it seems.
Ok my favorite picture book this month. I loved the little old lady and her security frog. I now want a frog to protect me! It is simply but funny and sweet. This was too funny and will be one I will pull out to put in peoples hands over and over. Ages 4+
Picture Book 24
The unexpected twists and turns in the story line in this picture book made it a great read! I loved how weird and wacky the author made the story, and I think that elementary level children would definitely enjoy the craziness in this story!
The unexpected twists and turns in the story line in this picture book made it a great read! I loved how weird and wacky the author made the story, and I think that elementary level children would definitely enjoy the craziness in this story!
Had to read this twice, back to back for the girls. Oh, how I wish I had the gumption to use this one at storytime! Mrs. Collywobbles has a pet frog who alleviates the threat of creatures that go bump in the forest...ending is hysterical! Loved it!
I get a tad weary of children's books that appeal to adults more than children, or maybe I am just a tad weary of the adults who lay claim to bragging rights that their children (read - more clever than yours) only like these books and not the gentle swill that other children (read - your dim bulbs) settle for. There is room in kidslit for the gentle, the imaginative, and yes, the dark and edgy, and I love them all, but I do wish adults would stop trying to make everything cool and cutting edge...more
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William Bee was born in London but now lives in the English countryside. In addition to writing children’s books, he races a vintage sports car, is an international skier, and when at home tends his lawns and meadows.
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