The Mysterious Tadpole

All 4 of my kids have loved reading this book. When I came across this book, I knew it would stay on our shelf for years & it has.

Everyone in my generation has (or should have) a favorite Steven Kellogg book. I think the kind of Kellogg book you love says a lot about the kind of person you are. For example, I'd probably have my doubts about being stuck in an elevator with anyone who professes a love for Kellogg's "How Much is a Million" books. And as for the person who gravitates towards the "Pinkerton" series, that's the kind of human being I'd be comfortable sharing a cup of cocoa with. Now myself, I'm torn. The vote really falls between Kellogg's fascinating "Island of the Skog" and "The Mysterious Tadpole". Both books are fabulous forgotten classics. But "The Mysterious Tadpole" is better known and perhaps deservedly so. Louis has just had a birthday, and his eccentric Uncle McAlister has sent him the best present ever. A small lovable tadpole arrives in the mail, and Louis sets about making his new pet at home. Contrary to expectations, however, the tadpole (named, curiously, Alphonse) grows by leaps and bounds. When Louis's parents protest that Alphonse is too large to keep in the home, Louis improvises by placing his pet in the Junior High's swimming pool. But when even that clever plan goes awry, it's up to Louise and the local librarian Miss Seevers to concoct a plan to keep Alphonse happy and free. Perhaps it was this book, read to me countless times in my youth, that is responsible for me becoming the librarian I am today. Miss Seevers isn't your frumpy hair in a bun, glasses on her nose, shushing librarian either. She's a smart witty woman who helps Louis to save the day. In fact all the characters in this book are imbued with a certain amount of pep and verve. Louis is just the kind of kid who wants to keep his tadpole/loch ness monster safe. And Alphonse, though he never says a word, is a child's ideal pet. Imagine it. A big friendly adorable brown-eyed monster that would like nothing more than to eat some cheeseburgers, romp, and play fetch. As for the story itself, it's got it all. A funny plot, a memorable solution, and a sly surprise ending with a whole different story suggested. The book is also filled with Kellogg's wry understatements. In this book, Louis's teacher Mrs. Shelbert has asked him to bring Alphonse in continually so that the class could see how a tadpole becomes a frog. Soon enough Alphonse is romping around the room, roughly five children on his back and more clammering to climb aboard, paper airplanes flying, and desks askew. As a disapproving teacher looks on, the text merely says, "One day Mrs. Shelbert decided that Alphonse was not turning into an ordinary frog. She asked Louis to stop bringing him to school". Understatement at its finest. Kellogg's illustrations really give this book the extra little nudge it needed to cross over from "merely good" to "fantastic". Alphonse, for one, could not be cuter. Those big brown puppy dog eyes would inspire you to buy him a million hamburgers, if you could. Kellogg i

Louis' Uncle McAllister lives in Scotland and every year sends Louis the best birthday present. And this year was no different, a tadpole, Louis names Alphonse. But it soon becomes apparent that Alphonse is not your normal, everyday tadpole and definitely not turning into a frog. He soon outgrows his jar, then the kitchen sink, and bathtub. Louis sneaks him into the school swimming pool during summer vacation, and that works out just fine until fall when school opens. In a panic Louis consults Miss Seevers, the librarian. Librarians always have all the answers, and Miss Seevers doesn't let him down. With a phone call to Scotland, a little research, and a lot of ingenuity, Louis and Miss Severs find a clever solution and happily-ever-after ending to their problem..... First published twenty-five years ago, Steven Kellogg's creative classic, The Mysterious Tadpole, is as fresh and entertaining today as it was back in 1977. Mr Kellogg has given his new illustrations a bold and bright facelift, and tweaked the text a bit, but the engaging and fun-filled story with its hilarious twist at the end, is still sure to capture the imagination and warm your heart. Perfect for youngsters 3-7, The Mysterious Tadpole is a timeless treasure to share with friends and family now, and future generations in the years to come.

I've been a Steven Kellogg fan for a long time, and this is one of the books that won me over. Imagine being a small boy, say 6 or 7, and having an uncle from Scotland bring you an unusual tadpole for your birthday...then it doesn't turn into a frog!The Mysterious Tadpole is a fun romp through life with a pet that grows and grows and keeps on growing. The story is engaging, the illustrations are brilliant, and children and adults both love reading this book.Give is a try!5 stars all the way!Alan Holyoak

The Mysterious tadpole is a book at our preschool and it is checked out so often it is diffult to get your hands on it. Boys just love this story of friendship and problem solving. As a mom, I like the values of Louie, who won't give up on his beloved pet / friend Alphonse. I would recommend it to all boys and gils of all ages.

We are second graders from Bernardsville, New Jersey and we think The Mysterious Tadpole is a wonderful fantasy. The delightful illustrations made us laugh and helped tell the story with such detail that the words were almost unnecessary. The very last picture made us wonder if Steven Kellogg will write a sequel to this story. We encourage everyone who likes a good friendship story to read this book.