One Night in Frogtown

by Philip Pelletier, Verne Lindner (Illustrator)

"ONE NIGHT IN FROGTOWN" A group of tadpoles are snuggled inside their eggs, ready for bed. But they're having trouble getting to sleep because a certain tadpole named Tad is playing his saxophone, and he keeps on playing, until his bubble goes pop! Suddenly free, he swims off to find the "Faraway Music" he has been hearing.Tad comes across three distinct groups of grownup frogs; the "Blues Frogs", the "Classical Frogs", and the "Rap Frogs". Tad is welcomed as he plays along with each on his saxophone, but he's rejected when he says he likes other kinds of music too. Tad cannot understand their prejudices against other kinds of music played by different color frogs.Heart-broken, Tad goes off in the rain and expresses his feelings of loneliness in a beautiful song called "Alone". The other frogs hear him and start to join in quietly, for they too know what it is like to feel alone. Tad hears them, and points out that they're playing together instead of apart. The frogs all realize they have more in common than they thought they did, and in a unifying moment they come together for the joyous finale number "Frogtown".

Genres: Picture Books

38 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Katie Michkiosky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so fun, interactive, and creative! I really enjoyed how it comes with a sing along CD. The songs provided in the book along with the CD help children to interact with the story even more.


Illustrations

Lexile = N/A
DRA = 36

[Sarah Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is totally awesome family entertainment! Our entire family rocks out to this book and cd at home, and we've seen the live show three times. I believe in Frogtown's message of diversity, and appreciate the fun and innovative style that it offers our community. Frogtown features killer Portland performers. This book is the perfect go to gift for kids!

[Heather Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome. Bright and colorful and included a music CD that also reads the story. The book includes songs that the tadpole sings. It also introduces kids to different kinds of music - blues, classical and rap!

[Shilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids love this book. Without the accompanying CD, this is a great book about diversity and fitting in. With the CD you get the added pleasure of great music from several genres that kids will love. I also love that it's written by an Oregonian and the music is from local artists too.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually a book with a poem story also including lyrics to the songs that was included on the book's CD. Fun and engaging.

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture book with CD. Fun music that tells a story.

[Sara Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good way to introduce musical genres. And speaks to the value of diversity. And comes with a cd! (Audiobook plus the featured songs.)

[Meadow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comes with a CD of the story and songs. We listened to it many times.