The Littlest Frog

Based loosely on the Biblical book of Exodus, Holly Hannon's splendid illustrations perfectly showcase Sylvia Rouss The Littlest Frog and is a picturebook specifically meant for young ones ages 3-6. When the Pharaoh of Egypt refuses to let the Jewish slaves go, God sends a massive plague of frogs upon the land, croakng and croaking and allowing no one a moment's peace. The Pharaoh tries and tries to have all the frogs removed, but just when it seems they all gone, the littlest frog hiding silently under the Pharaoh's bed finds its voice and croaks! The Littlest Frog is a recommended and engaging tale with an underlying moral about theimportance of speaking up.

From the very talented pen of Sylvia Rouss, a creative and resourceful Jewish early childhood educator, comes this delightful Pesach story for children. Told in rhyme, the story focuses on the time that the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, and particularly on the plague of frogs during that time. "A little frog sat in the hot Egyptian sun,/ Watching Jewish slaves work, while Pharaoh had fun./ Moses, their leader, warned evil Pharaoh,/ `Bad things will happen if you don't let us go'/ I'm the great Pharaoh and nothing scares me!/ The Jewish people will stay! They'll never be free!"The book describes the antics of the frogs and they hop all over the pharaoh's rooms, swim in his bath, and even sit on his throne, with the Pharaoh all the while chasing them with a broom: "There were frogs n the curtains and in the fruit bowls./ There were frogs peeking out from papyrus scrolls./ He saw frogs on the ceiling and frogs on the wall./ He saw frogs in each room and down every hall." But one frog - the littlest - is afraid of all the commotion and has hidden under the bed. The Pharaoh, feeling all powerful and fearless, is sure he has taken care of the frog problem. But the little frog eventually emerges from his hiding place, hops onto the Pharaoh and utters a loud croak, causing Pharaoh to have a change of heart. "Perhaps Moses was right, the Jews should be free./ Maybe that's why this is happening to me."The colorful and action-packed illustrations ably convey the Pharaoh's frustration and captures the frogs' playfulness. A glossary at the beginning of the book is quite helpful in defining words that may be unknown to a child, such as scepter, papyrus, or hieroglyphics. A welcome addition to a home or school library and a highly relevant book for the Pesach Seder. Ages 3-7.Rena E. Rotenberg is coordinator of the Early Childhood Education Center for Jewish Education in Baltimore Maryland.

Hot off the press is The Littlest Frog, a rousing new Passover book by Sylvia Rouss and illustrated by Holly Hannon. In the Littlest Frog, Rouss, the well-known author of the Sammy Spider holiday series, raises her whimsical story telling to new heights. In the Passover story told in the Haggadah at the Seder, the ten plagues delivered to Pharoh and the Egyptians to "let my people go", were no laughing matter. But in this rhyming yarn, silly, fun-loving frogs lighten the load and create child-friendly mischief, driving the Pharoh crazy. Emerald green frogs appear to jump off the pages in the bright, joyful illustrations. They smile as they happily leap all over Pharoh and his palace. There are even frogs wearing sun glasses! The book follows the endearing Littlest Frog who observes the sadness of the Jewish slaves working while Pharoh had fun. Children relate to the Littlest Frog's feelings with the repeating refrain "But the Littlest Frog was very afraid. He hid under the bed, and that's where he stayed." Until the Littlest Frog shows the courage of Moses and rises to the occasion - putting the evil Pharoh in his place! Rouss and Hannon have created an upbeat and appealing book to match the spirit of freedom celebrated at Passover. It is a perfect choice for the spring season - but its appeal will attract children beyond Passover.

"Another Spring creature leaps from the story of Passover. The Littlest Frog frolics from the pen of Sylvia Rouss, known for her tales of Sammy Spider, as she makes the most of one of the least of the heroes in Exodus. Cheery rhymed couplets elaborate on Pharoah's exasperation when his refusal to let the Hebrews leave Egypt leads to a visitation by hordes of frogs, including one tiny, timid fellow. Vivid pictures by Holly Hannon, rich in royal purple, hop with action, and the little one's triumph." From Pages Spring Sampler