The Prince of the Pond: Otherwise Known as de Fawg Pin

I am agog at the reviews that complain about Pin's speech being annoying, or the biology lesson feel of the book. My kids (5 and 7) and I loved this poignant story of acceptance: acceptance of others' differences, of one's changing circumstances. They laughed themselves silly as Pin outwitted the pond's predators. I was incredibly touched by the lessons learned by both Pin and Jade as they got to know each other better. We never found the information the story conveyed to be heavy-handed or intrusive. It is one of the most imaginative books I've read in a long time. Beautiful illustrations and beautiful characters.

The Prince of the Pond: Otherwise Known As De Fawg Pin is a sweet, hilarious story for the young and the young-at-heart. I'm one of the latter, as I was almost hysterical with the giggles at the very silliness of a lisping frog. Although I do not care for amphibians at all, I found the illustrations excellent and learned a thing or two since they also have a slightly biology-lesson feel. The story also provided facts about frogs that will interest children.The story is narrated by a female frog who befriends our hapless hero, Pin. The basic tale of The Frog Prince is maintained, but only as shell. The real story revolves around Pin's adaptation to his new world and the compromises of his human and frog selves.Donna Jo Napoli did a wonderful job of creating just the right mood for each scene - light and carefree when the frogs are playing, a little menacing when the mean old bullfrog comes, and particularly sweet when Pin is determined to save all his hundreds of tadpole children. A bit of the fantastic, the scientific, and the winsome. Also charming is the sequel, Jimmy, the Pickpocket of the Palace.

My ten year old and I loved this book and could not stop reading it. I was touched by the metaphor for life, cold blooded frogs learn to love and be a family. How deeply Pin loved his wife and family. How patient Jade was with his speech difficulties with his giant frog tongue. What fun it was to learn about the life of the pond and frogs in a way that was incidental to the story. This story was a powerful package of life, love, and facts of pond life, and how making room in your heart for love leads to extraordinary events. The drawings were a wonderful preview of what might happen next.

My 6-year-old daughter and I couldn't wait to get into bed every night to read what was going to happen to Pin and Jade. We would talk about it during the day and dive into bed at night to start our adventure. She loved the way Pin talked. Just thinking about it can set her off giggling. We also learned so much. Just the other day she asked me if I had known something about frogs that we learned in the book. The bittersweet ending was a little bit difficult for her, but after Charlotte's Web it was a breeze. And how thrilled she was to find out that the adventure continues in Jimmy, The Pickpocket of the Palace!

Maybe it's just because I happen to know the author personally. (She was my fatehr's student.) But maybe its just becasue its an all around great book that I love it so much. The plot is cute. The storyline is easy to comprihend. It's the kind of book you can read again and again, and still get that feeling like you're reading it for the first time. I've always loved and always will love "De Fawg Pin!"