Joe on the Go

This vibrantly illustrated book tells the story of Joe the Frog, a spirited amphibian who just wants to go, go, go! -- whether by scooter, wagon, airplane, auto (shades of Mr. Toad!), tricycle, or skateboard. The crux of the rhyming narrative is that Joe on the Go picked the wrong day for going mobile" It's his frog family reunion! Frogs, frogs everywhere, but not a single one to speed with! The frogly green pages abound with picnic and party action, as well as assorted characters. Although unmistably froggy, their faces and poses parrot their human reunion counterparts: Two frogs just want to drink their favorite beverage and laugh, one is stuffing his face with a hamburger, there's the resident phofrographer (sorry, couldn't resist), and scolding types who complain that Joe is either too big, too small, too young, too old, or too unskilled to satisfy his need for speed. Joe is not exactly a role model: He "bawls" when everyone turns him down, and shows zero understanding of others' needs and desires during a big family reunion. (You might use Joe's self-centered attitude as a springboard for discussion). There's a swift and satisfying conclusion; however, as "Grandma," offers to go to the ice cream store; Grandma, whom he never even thought to ask. We see Joe on top of Grandma in her wheelchair, pushed by one other accomodating adult, off to the store and elsewhere: "And they went until they could go no more." The illustrations are bright, production values high (good, thick paper), the rhyming unforced, and, while there's some moral ambiguity here, it's a fun book that recognizes Grandmas and the craving to GO!

Peggy Perry Anderson's JOE ON THE GO tells of the Frog family reunion and relatives who all seem to have fun together - except for Joe, who always wants to move quicker than everyone else. Nobody wants to play with him: is there anyone who will not say "no" to all his ideas?