The Biggest Frog in Australia

by Susan L. Roth

Once, in the Dreamtime, the biggest frog in Australia woke up thirsty. So thirsty that he drinks up all the water from the oceans, lakes, rivers, billabongs, puddles, and even from the clouds. When he is done, the earth is parched, and the other animals are thirsty.
Wise old Wombat suggests that the animals try to make the biggest frog laugh, so the water will spill out of his mouth. But the frog barely hears Kookaburra's best jokes, and yawns at Kangaroo's acrobatics. Koala waddles ridiculously, but still no luck.
What will make the frog laugh and bring life back to Australia?
Find out in this colorful retelling of a classic Australian folktale.

Genres: Picture Books, Australia, Animals, Geography, Folklore, Childrens, Cultural

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1996

About the author

Susan L. Roth creates unique mixed-media collage illustrations that have appeared in numerous award-winning children’s books, many of which she also wrote. Her book, Listen to the Wind, spent a year on the New York Times best seller list. The Mangrove Tree, which was released in 2011 and addressed Dr. Gordon Sato's mangrove tree-planting project, was the winner of Jane Addams Children's Book Award. Roth lives in New York.

Reviews

[Kasey Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely, colorful children's book telling an Australia folktale of drought and flood. Frog - a great red beast - drinks all the world's water and all the other thirsty animals try to make frog laugh so that he vomits up all the water again.

The illustrations are bright paper-cut collages.

[Laura Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My reaction to this book in the beginning was that I would not be able to keep my readers interested. The more I read, the better it became. We had more facts than I'd think we would get in such a short story.

the illustrations were unique each one of the frogs was better and better and how the page described what we should be looking at.

I would use this in a 3-5 grade class because they could do many learning activities and learn new facts.

I would have students use this book mostly for a science project/report. there are many vocabulary words the students would need to look up as well to make sure they understand the story. this book could also be used for social studies on the biggest frog in Australia and get a background of the habitat and what happens where this frog lives.

[Alissa Pletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fabulous art work to illustrate a wonderful folk tale. "The Biggest Frog in Australia", is definitely the vivid collage work, created out of different types of paper. A glossary is also included, which is useful for understanding a variety of Australian terms

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful legend about a frog drinking all the water in the world. The best part is how creative the other animals get to make the frog give the water back, so they don't dehydrate and the world can get back to the way it was. I appreciate that Susan L. Roth always does her research when she retells these legends.

[Jenny Hartfelder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a retelling of an aboriginal folk tale about a very thirsty frog who swallows up all the water and the animals that make him laugh in order to spit it back out again. The illustrations are done in paper collage.

#passportaroundtheworld #australia

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a thirsty frog drinks up all the water in Australia, the other animals must think of a way to make him give it up.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this folk tale from Down Under, we find out what happens when a frog gets too greedy and drinks all of the water in Australia. Interesting collage illustrations.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This folktale was written after the author studied different versions of this Australian folktale. This version of the folktale is creative and fun because the main character, the frog, possesses many human qualities. For example, the frog has a particular sense of humor and senses when he needs to drink water to survive; however, since this is the biggest frog in Australia, he ends up dinking all of the water from the ocean, the clouds, rivers, etc. After some time, the vegetation is dying and the other animals are extremely parched. The animals come up with a clever plan to try to make the frog laugh. They think that if they can make the frog laugh, then the water will come spewing out of the frog. At first, the animals are unsuccessful and the frog does not seem interested with their jokes; however, in the end some eels end up making him laugh. When the frog laughs, all of the water comes out. This book would be great to use throughout a water conservation unit or to teach students that different versions of folktales/tall tales exist. Lastly, this story could be used when teaching students about the different continents/cultures of the world.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The biggest frog in Australia drinks all the water on the continent and all the water in the ocean. The other animals decide that they will have to make him laugh so he releases the water. One after another, they tell jokes and perform antics. Finally, the eels literally tie themselves in knots, spell their name (eel) in cursive, and end up creating bouncing coils. The frog laughs, the water is freed, and the animals can quench their thirst.

My students enjoyed the Australian theme and animals. They also liked the paper collage art. A great follow up after learning about other collage examples (Ezra Jack Keats for my first graders) and I was pleased that they such a great connection independently.

Recommended for kindergarten - grade 2. There is some Australian vocabulary - billabong and various animals - but a simple glossary at the back of the book will give all the information that you or your students might need.

[Stephenie Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a great meaning to teach to children about the environment and preserving water. The dedication page in the story even says, "this ecologically sound book about recycled water..." furthermore showing how this story was meant to make children aware. The story is set in Australia, so it uses animals and plants found in Australia and if children do not know some of the words that are used in the book, there is a glossary in the back. The pictures in the story were very unique because it looked like paper was used to create the animals and background. Overall very unique book that would be great for children to read.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny tale about the biggest frog in Australia drinking up all the water from the ponds, the lakes, rivers, oceans and clouds leaving the animals and plants parched. With no water to be found the animals decide if they can make the frog laugh he'll spit out the water and they will have water to drink.

The artwork in this book is torn paper. It's beautiful and the kookaburra bird is so cool with the different techniques used to get the feathery look.

[L11-Mary Utterback · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. I loved the colorful pictures that were done with paper. I thought the story was clever and fun for children. The idea that a frog could drink all of the water in the world was cute and I liked how the only way to get the water back was to make him laugh. This is a quick read and would be great for a read aloud.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It can be challenging to find good picture books about Australia and this one is one of the better ones that I have read (with bonus points for being a well-sourced folktale). I think that it would be fun to adapt this as a told story for story time or as a puppet show. Recommended.

[Renee Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

For storytelling unit on Australia & Oceania. Dreamtime story. Humor. Frog drinks alll the water and the other animals must trick him to release the water. Note: book has lovely cut-paper collage art.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Print flows in every direction!

[Ms. DiSerafino]

ST students learned about the animals that live in Australia during Heritage Week.