The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone

by Timothy Basil Ering

FROG BELLY plants the idea that with some strategy, good communication, and goodwill, you can grow wonderful things. — PORTLAND PRESS HERALD

Once upon a time, in a gray endless place called Cementland, there lived a boy who wished to find a treasure. After searching through piles of toaster ovens and wet smelly socks, he spies a box filled with specks and a note that says, "Put these wondrous riches in the earth and enjoy." Horrified to learn that thieves are after his treasure, the boy scrounges in the junkyard and conjures a scarecrow-like creature to stand Frog Belly Rat Bone, king and protector of the specks. With subtle tones and bursts of glowing color, Tim Ering’s surreal artwork and hand-lettered text exude all the whimsy of an inspired imagination — and the wonders of a natural world that awaits discovery, even in Cementland.

A NICK JR. FAMILY MAGAZINE Best Book of the Year

A New England Book Show Juvenile Category Winner

A New York Book Show Children’s Trade Hardcover Winner

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Art, Fantasy, Storytime, Environment, Gardening

48 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Timothy Basil Ering is the illustrator of the Newbery Medal-winning THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX by Kate DiCamillo and FINN THROWS A FIT! by David Elliott. He is also the author-illustrator of THE STORY OF FROG BELLY RAT BONE and NECKS OUT FOR ADVENTURE! He lives in Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I thought this cement hellscape was supposed to be a post-apocalyptic setting, but then it seems not to be so I guess Ering is just really not fond of urban landscape. Although then again, it can't be really a modern, cement city because they plant the seeds right in the ground, and there are little bunnies etc. What do they eat when there is no vegetation visible in this uninhabited wasteland of trash? How does this kid know magic and is that how he sruvives? Am I thinking about this too hard, or is the author not thinking hard enough?

Anyway, that was a generous 3 stars for me, because I didn't like the characters or the art, and the book felt like it was trying to be two contradictory things at the same time (the dark, creepy story suggested by the title and cover, and a positive message-y story about cooperation and nature and patience).

[Josef Miyasato · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I love the art work, the language, and the conception, the delivery is dissapointing. The characters are great, the conflict is there, yet the resolution is so fast, simple, trite, and unearned that I feel this book is a failure as a whole. But it's so darned pretty.

[Chrissi Guarnieri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone by Timothy Basil Ering is a family favorite. A little boy, who lives in a dark and dreary world called "Cement Land", is in search of treasure. He finds something wrapped in beautiful paper and realizes that with a little care, he can transform his dark surroundings into something beautiful. With the help of a homemade scarecrow called Frog Belly Rat Bone, he is able to deter thieves from stealing the treasure before it blossoms. The thieves become comrades when they realize the worth of the treasure is greater when shared with friends. The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful. The message is sweet. The end could be a little more, but overall I love this book!

Fantasy

[Cheryl]

I am most definitely not the target audience. Even when I did live in a fairly blighted area, it was never as ugly as this. And what makes the boy already special, as we're told that he is when we meet him? And why did his golem get the appellation that he did, when in this post-apocalyptic world there are surely no frogs?

This is more like a draft for a movie, or a giftable fable for hip city kids.
I'd give it two stars for myself, but it's not for me....

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book...not just the story of friendship, patience, hope and all that, but the beautiful illustrations....I choose it quite often to read to anyone who is willing to sit still and listen and have bought it several times. A firm favourite.

[Cathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a place named Cementland, "a dull gray endless place", an unhappy boy wishes to find a treasure. Amidst the junk piles he discovers a packet of gray specks. He is promised something wonderful if he puts them in the ground and waits patiently. The boy needs help protecting them from thieves, though, so he creates a "King of the Treasures" from the discarded objects around him. The creature comes alive as Frog Belly Rat Bone, and the two work to keep others away as they wait expectantly to discover what form the treasure may take.

The book as a whole is more engaging than one might have expected. The drawings are not 'pretty', but they are intriguing. The sketches are almost childish, and some seem to be only quick drafts. The setting is realized in flat, colorless backgrounds, and only small bits of color occasionally draw the eye. Even the font for the words is messy, which may be intended to complement the tenor of the story. The plot itself, though, seems transparent and thin. Unique as the story strives to be, it seems to be one that attempts innovation but only achieves mediocrity.

[Magila · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very dark seeming book, but lively and positive by the end. You cannot help but draw some comparisons to Wall-E because of how desolate and sad the landscape is in this book.

I loved how Frog Belly Rat Bone was made. I loved the colorful illustrations the concluded the book. The typeface was like chicken scratch, which was a welcome change from the banality of typical books. The story was simple and effective, and it was great to see some misbehaving characters reform.

The art looked a little like pencil vomit, something a boy might have sketched during distracted moments in a high school math class. That's ok though. It played well to the themes, and made the feel more "boyish" while covering a topic that some might consider "feminine." The "rhyme" was a bit repetitive and silly, but that's also good for children who are learning sight words.

A very good book, though I'd recommend getting it at the library to test it before purchase. It might not be right for everyone.

[Bethy Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far my favourite picture book! I remember reading this as a child and being completely obsessed with it. I took it into show-and-tell numerous times! The illustrations are sublime and stay in your memory a long time after putting the book down.
Although it was first published in 2003, the story is still completely relevant today!
In an urban setting, the main character is very relatable to many children - teaching them to search for beauty in the smallest of things and the greyest of places, especially where it usually difficult to find colour and 'treasure'.
It also deals with the idea of patience - the best things are worth waiting for, and the idea of contributing to and caring for one's environment - extremely topical for today's world.
Highly recommend to anyone of any age!

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this is a Kid's book but *damn* the graphics is to die for, I just couldn't pass the opportunity to buy it. Plusss the story is soo cool and sweet and cute.

[Patricia Lamoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the go, you know something exciting is going to happen in this gorgeous book. It starts slow and sad, "In a dull gray, endless place..." and you know what that looks like, feels like, even smells like, especially if you are growing up in a city. "...there lived a very special boy," and that's when you know something amazing is going to happen. The cold Cementland warms with hope. And the story goes on like that, filling each crevice of dark with light- disappointment with patience- fear with relief and loneliness with friendship.
The illustrations are zany and original, simple deconstructions at times, but always imaginative, giving children a wide view of what drawing can be- beautiful, colorful, realistic, rudimentary, formless colorless- and how each of those different styles evokes a new feeling. The pictures use up the whole page, and sometimes you almost have to hunt for the words, again adding to the emotional roller coaster of the story.

[Harmony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone (Hardcover) by Timothy Basil Ering presents a unique and imaginative tale with a strong message about patience, friendship, and finding treasure in unexpected places. However, I felt the illustrations, while bold and colourful, were a bit brash and distracted from the story’s core message. Although the colour theme is understandable, a subtler artistic approach might have better complemented the story’s tone and helped the emotional depth shine through more clearly.

[AD · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me as a favourite by a Year 1 class, and I'm so glad because I loved it too. I think my favourite thing was the language used in this unusual picture book about a boy who wants to find treasure, and then what he has to do to protect it.
The boy and his creation, Frog Belly Rat Bone, are interesting characters, and the concept of what "treasure" really is makes this a great book for all ages.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids are obsessed with this book, first book in quite a while that my 6 year old has repeatedly chosen at bedtime. My 4yr old loves the chanting repetition in it “Frog belly rat bone, one two three...”

[K.S. Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greatest things about working at Chapters was finding treasures like this book. Frog Belly Rat Bone. Say that out loud. Go on! Fun, isn't it?

[Debbie Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

not your typical-kind of children book: this is exactly why you will love it !

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the pictures in the story, they are fascinating. I also really like that the boy makes frog belly rat bone, also he makes friends with the rabbit and the fruit fly.

[Larissa Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darkish but hopeful and funny illustrated children’s book. Excellent reminder about hope in hell on earth during covid-19 pandemic.

[Grumpy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful story and illustrations

[Barbara Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique story and illustrations.

[Sid Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love!

[Briony Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book! With stunningly quirky illustrations and beautifully handwritten text it oozes originality. The story tells us that wondrous riches can often be found close to us if only we know where to look.
The gentle humour used, especially, 'my socks are very moist and my underwear is rather picky' never fails to raise a smile.
Having learnt this book was out of print I bought four more used copies (I have 5 in total) just in case! I would recommend this book all day long!

[Jennie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don't know how I missed this one a long time ago. What a treasure. Between the artwork and the story itself, I don't know which is my favorite part! Frog Belly Rat Bone was created to protect the specks which the little boy is convinced are treasure. In the end, it is Grog Belly Rat Bone who is able to show the boy what true treasure is. The simplicity of this story is both stunning and though provoking to me and lead to a great discussion with my kids about what true treasure is. I love this book!

PS: Did you know that Timothy Basil Ering is the illustrator of the Newbery Award-winning The Tale of Despereaux?! How cool is that?!

[Jessica Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantasy book about a boy in a gray endless world filled with “junk” called Cementland. Come join him through his journey for a wondrous treasure that ends with new friends and a colorful joyous world!
I’d recommend this book for reading at the 4th to 5th grade level. Due to the pictures and the story line it might be a bit hard for younger children to fall along and understand. Maybe even a bit scary. (Due to the pictures) I think this book instills patience, determination, forgiveness, as well as welcoming new friends.

[Rochelle Sondae · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for gardeners or lovers of plants and color. The little boy finds a box full of tiny specks labeled as "treasure." Doubtful at first, the boy and his creation Frog Belly Rat Bone, eventually witness how the tiny specks transform into beautiful vines bursting with color and food.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge fan, huge.

Our frog belly speaks in a deep British accent. The boy is a little squeaky. The rat sounds like the rat from the animated Charlotte's web, the fruit fly's voice is the highest of all, and the rabbit has a lisp.

Read it every night for a year and see what magic happens for you.
This was our 2010.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book intrigued me very much! While the illustrations and writing might seem scary to some children, the text itself is actually very friendly and uplifting. Lots of fun to read aloud to an older child learning about gardening and environmentalism, this book doesn't preach too much and is really enjoyable.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells a great story of a treasure (plant seeds) that you have to be patient and wait to see. A little boy finds the seed packets in a pile of junk. He plants the seeds and someone steals them. He makes a strange monstrous scare away the thieves. When the plants grow, the thieves repent, and all is beautiful. Fun illustrations help tell this great story.

[Deirdre K · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are what caused us to pick this up at the library just as we were heading to the check-out. Not my style at all, but our little man loved it. Some haunting drawings but some subtle humor as well. Original and not insulting---two rare things in children's lit of late.

[Tini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it and read it and read it. :-)
It's Tim (3) favorite story - and I like it, too. It's about cementland turning in a colorful world through patience and friendship. Very artsy and well done, Timothy.

[Kiran · Rating 2 out of 5]

A library book sale find that I picked up on a whim because the artwork grabbed my attention. While I really liked the overall message of the story and the illustrations, which were dark and a bit brooding, the language used fell flat.