Froggy Builds a Tree House

Froggy

by Jonathan London

Froggy and his friends are building a treehouse-with a lot of help from Dad. Their plans don't include Frogilina though, "Boys Only!" says Froggy.  But in the end, it's Frogilina who saves the day and joins the treehouse gang. Lovable Froggy returns in his 22nd laugh-out-loud adventure.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Humor, School, Family, Storytime

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2011

About the author

Jonathan London is the author of several celebrated children's books. His commitment to honoring the wonders of the natural world has been lauded by readers and critics alike. He is the author of more than 70 children's books, many of which are about nature. He's also the author of the popular Froggy series. He lives in Graton, California with his wife and two sons.

Reviews

[Karen Mahtin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book seems to me to expose kids to not-very-nice behaviors without any consequences, and it serves to maintain the "gender divide" between boys and girls.

Froggy enlists his friends to help him on his project, for example, and then when they get pizza at the end of the day, it has a topping that only appeals to him - not to his friends who are of other species. The only acknowledgment of this is the upset looks on the friends' faces. I think that there should have been some sort of calling out that selfish behavior and correcting of the problem.

Froggy is mean to his sister (also, he rejects breakfast, which one could argue that his mother prepared, but it's really just fly "cereal") and rejects the girl next door's efforts to help- even when her advice literally saves his butt. She is constantly trying to buy his friendship by helping out, and finally succeeds at the end when she catches the pizza that he had dropped, AND brings extra flies as a topping.

The one good thing in the book is the sound effects like "Zip, zut, zut" when Froggy is getting dressed. They're fun to say and my kid likes them.

We were given this book by our local library when it was tabling at a community health fare. I really want to toss it in the recycling as it doesn't teach kids to build a better world.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only okay. This one is a little bit more activity-heavy than other Froggy books, and yet the parents are around a little less. With some activities that's okay, but building a treehouse with saws and hammers....I'd want dad around for more than just a smidge of advice.
I also wasn't fond of the "no girls allowed" bits, because even though Frogilina *does* eventually get to come over, it's only because she saved the day and brought Froggy a treat. (A treat that his other friends weren't all that enthusiastic about...)

Anyhow, it's passable, and the kiddos will probably laugh.

[Shawn Deal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Froggy is a great character that children can relate to.
He has to do things he doesn't want and does want and makes the common mistakes kids will make in funny ways. Extremely relatable for children. They all love Froggy. The illustrations are fun and bright and really pull out the action and funny parts of the tale. In this story, Froggy collects all his friends to help him build a treehouse, which then becomes a club meeting place.

[Ethan Wesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a huge fan of Froggy series. Froggy is kind of a dipshit. I dig the whole.. "No girls allowed- fortress of solitude" thing but felt like he was kind of a prick to his friends with the pizza at the end. I think he realized it too because he ordered 5 more after dominating the first one, much to their dismay.

[Kelsy Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read many Froggy books but I have never come across this one. After reading this book I found it to have great lessons in working together and friendship. Froggy wakes up one morning wanting to build a tree house so he seeks out his friends to help him. The journey to completing the tree house is bumpy but with the help of friends and family he is able to get it done. In the end Froggy, his friends and even his sister are able to enjoy the fun of pizza, cards and jokes among each other. This is a book I may put in my library in my classroom to have books about friendship and working with others. I also like to do read aloud videos of Froggy books so I would use this book in that way as well.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't really thing kids books should count on here, but now that we are reading a bunch of these I think reviews are in order.

This is not a great book. Froggy is demanding, sexist, selfish, all around not a great "kid." He is solely focused on pizza - also not a great message.

We read it once, and resolved to toss it. But, we didnt get to it quick enough and had to read it again the next night. Hopefully this character doesnt stick.

[Caleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one to my Kindergarten student that I tutor and he loved it (along with all of the other Froggy books I have read him). The silly onomatopoeia within the book is fun for him to read and/or have read to him. The stories usually have a lesson that Froggy learns or an obstacle he must overcome.

[Bethany Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute book with so many fun onomatopoeias! What I enjoyed most about this book is that there are different onomatopoeias on each page. I think onomatopeias are fun to include in a story because the kids love them. It encourages the children to read along and be involved in the story telling process.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 3 out of 5]

My nephew loves the Froggy books. I don't love them and in this book I don't like how he treats his little sister. However, I love that she is the one to save the day. And I guess little sisters can be annoying...

[Sophonie Joseph-Canel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fan of this book. I don't like the gender division that this book protests. It allows children very early in to think that one gender is superior than the other. I also don't like the behavior of froggy and how he gets away with it.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the colors are great, so is the illustration. It's a fun book to read with all kinds of sounds. It teaches children that when they do things they need to think it through and be nice to others, especially your own sibling.

[Morgan Renouf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The story is so fun and enjoyable to read as it tells the story of Froggy building his own treehouse. It is filled with onomatopoeias, dialogue, and personification. I will definitely be reading more Froggy adventures!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Froggy wanted a tree house so his dad helped him get started and Froggy enlisted his friends to help. Froggy hurt himself and dropped things and wouldn't allow Frogilina to join them becasue she was a girl, until she did something very helpful for them.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Froggy does what the title suggests which is apparently very easy, book also bangs on about the whole stereotypical no girls allowed hoo haa - we need books to promote good healthy relationships between genders that have nothing to do with romance

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Froggy and his friends realize that 'no pesky sisters allowed' is stupid. They don't learn that other girls are ok, too. And they have enough money to get pizza delivered even though they're, what, 9?!

Read for 'tree houses, forts, and playhouses' theme in Children's Books.

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Froggy Gets Dressed but none of the other books in the series really do it for me. I'm using this for a Build a Better World Prek Story Class.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always wanted a homemade tree house.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

My son and I found this book to be on the dull side. I suppose we're not much for amphibian literature.

[createitlibrarian (Amanda) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Froggy builds a treehouse with his friend and dad. However, the girls want to hang out too. Could have done a better job including the girls with building.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might use this book for my pizza story time. If you like Froggy books you will like this one. It sticks to format.

[Monica Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son said great idea and he wants one now.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Froggy and his friends with a little help from dad are building a tree house where his little sister isn't allowed. But little sisters are good for somethings aren't they? Preschool and up

[Reija Viinikkala-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

No sisters, no girls, a tree house just for boys... But wait and you will see who rescues the boys' pizza party.

[Jayda Safford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to build a tree house

[M · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book talks about building the tree house, but reinforces behavior like keeping girls out of the tree house, playing only with boys, kids can be invited in if they bring something for you.

[Tyeshia Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Froggy had to learn how to not rush and treat his friends right. Nice colors and great illustration. will keep kids engaged.

[kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

my preschooler liked it, but otherwise it was just okay and seemed sexist

[Sujung Yun · Rating 5 out of 5]

put a band-aid on his thumb.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate these boys hate girls plots. And I don’t find them realistic for today’s youth, thankfully.

[Stephanie Burns · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why do we want our children yelling “Whaaaattttt” to us. Every time. Teaching disrespect to adults.