What do you think?
Rate this book
Foo, the Flying Frog of Washtub Pond
For kids of all sizes (and boasting ability), a funny fable about growing pains, the ups and downs of friendship, and the gift of forgiveness.
In a cozy, tropical place called Washtub Pond, three web-footed creatures pass carefree days playing and dreaming together. Sue-Lin Salamander, Mao-Mao Mudpuppy, and Foo Frog have been best, samesize friends since the day they were born. But like all young creatures, these three grow up — and some really BIG changes in Foo Frog put the trio’s friendship to the test. With warmth, lighthearted wit, and a bit of hot air, Belle Yang has written and painted a laugh-out-loud story in bold, comedic strokes.
In a cozy, tropical place called Washtub Pond, three web-footed creatures pass carefree days playing and dreaming together. Sue-Lin Salamander, Mao-Mao Mudpuppy, and Foo Frog have been best, samesize friends since the day they were born. But like all young creatures, these three grow up — and some really BIG changes in Foo Frog put the trio’s friendship to the test. With warmth, lighthearted wit, and a bit of hot air, Belle Yang has written and painted a laugh-out-loud story in bold, comedic strokes.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 10, 2009
About the author
Belle Yang
21 books16 followers"My Chinese name is Xuan, or "Forget-All-Sorrow." It is also Chinese for "lily of a day," notes Belle Yang. "If life spans a mere day, why spend it in worry?" Indeed, the author-illustrator of HANNAH IS MY NAME recalls a seemingly worry-free childhood in Taiwan and Japan, where she "doodled and fiddled around with words and discovered they were her life."
Now an author and painter, Belle Yang has developed a remarkable style that draws on her rich cultural background, influenced not only by childhood memories of Taiwan and Japan and her experience of immigrating to the United States at age seven, but also by her studies in Scotland and China. It was Belle Yang's homecoming from China to the U.S. after the Tiananmen Massacre that precipitated a new dedication to her art. "I returned with gratitude in my heart for the freedom of expression given me in America," she says. "I returned convinced that I would firmly grasp this gift with both hands." And since officially becoming an artist "sometime in the early nineties," Belle Yang's work has consistently garnered widespread acclaim for its vividness and authenticity. Notes Amy Tan, author of THE JOY LUCK CLUB, "Belle Yang is an American writer who writes in English and thinks in Chinese. Her writing feels Chinese. . . . It is as though we, the readers of English, can now miraculously read Chinese."
Belle Yang's latest book perfectly captures the essence of this Chinese-American fusion. HANNAH IS MY NAME is an immigrant story especially close to the author's own: "HANNAH IS MY NAME is based on our first years in San Francisco," she says. "I missed my old friends and teacher, but it was not a miserable yearning. It was a great privilege to come to the United States, and we didn't look back." Like the author, Hannah and her family move from Taiwan to San Francisco, where she takes a new name, begins a new school, learns a new language, and starts to adjust to a new way of life. Illuminated by Chinese-influenced paintings in jewel-like colors, Belle Yang's immigration tale represents one of the many facets of the American dream.
Belle Yang has written and illustrated four books and has participated in solo museum shows. She lives in California.
Now an author and painter, Belle Yang has developed a remarkable style that draws on her rich cultural background, influenced not only by childhood memories of Taiwan and Japan and her experience of immigrating to the United States at age seven, but also by her studies in Scotland and China. It was Belle Yang's homecoming from China to the U.S. after the Tiananmen Massacre that precipitated a new dedication to her art. "I returned with gratitude in my heart for the freedom of expression given me in America," she says. "I returned convinced that I would firmly grasp this gift with both hands." And since officially becoming an artist "sometime in the early nineties," Belle Yang's work has consistently garnered widespread acclaim for its vividness and authenticity. Notes Amy Tan, author of THE JOY LUCK CLUB, "Belle Yang is an American writer who writes in English and thinks in Chinese. Her writing feels Chinese. . . . It is as though we, the readers of English, can now miraculously read Chinese."
Belle Yang's latest book perfectly captures the essence of this Chinese-American fusion. HANNAH IS MY NAME is an immigrant story especially close to the author's own: "HANNAH IS MY NAME is based on our first years in San Francisco," she says. "I missed my old friends and teacher, but it was not a miserable yearning. It was a great privilege to come to the United States, and we didn't look back." Like the author, Hannah and her family move from Taiwan to San Francisco, where she takes a new name, begins a new school, learns a new language, and starts to adjust to a new way of life. Illuminated by Chinese-influenced paintings in jewel-like colors, Belle Yang's immigration tale represents one of the many facets of the American dream.
Belle Yang has written and illustrated four books and has participated in solo museum shows. She lives in California.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 11, 2012
The kids and I enjoyed this story. I kind of thought that they'd find it funnier than they seemed to, but they did like it. There are lots of great "sounds" in this book that do enhance the action and that make the story just that much more fun to read aloud.
September 1, 2020
One of Mara's picks from the library. Read together. Fun little quick book. She loved it. Read it at Troegs.
March 20, 2017
A lesson on egotism as told through the pond folk...
July 25, 2013
This is an entertaining story that describes different perspectives and the importance of not being too full of yourself. The three main characters have Chinese names, but could be pond creatures from just about anywhere. The gouache illustrations are colorful and the characters are very cartoonish. They didn't appeal to me very much, but the characters are cute. The narrative is fun to read aloud and is filled with onomatopoeia that is entertaining. We enjoyed reading this book together.
interesting quote:
"I learned that I am nothing but a very small frog in a very big world." (p. 30)
interesting quote:
"I learned that I am nothing but a very small frog in a very big world." (p. 30)
June 16, 2010
This fable is quite funny and something that students would really enjoy. When teaching about morals of stories, this book would be a great example. It is about three friends who were once the same size, but then as they grew older, one in particular became quite larger than the others. However, that friend quickly realizes that there are even bigger animals in the world and it is important to remain a good friend.
March 3, 2010
Eh. A bit of a disappointment because it was nothing like I thought it would be with a title like that! Not an awful book, but one with a moral about not being so arrogant. The pictures were interesting, but not always to my liking. And the sounds might be fun to make aloud. But I don't think this will work well in a storytime.
February 24, 2009
Little frog was letting his ego get out of hand there for awhile.
May 4, 2009
I think this fable would be better received as a story telling rather than a book. The illustrations are fine but the story is written as someone would say it. A fine story but there are better.
May 8, 2009
The frog thinks he is the biggest thing in the whole world but he has to have an experience outside of the pond to learn the truth. Ages 4+
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews