Wanda and the Frogs

This is a wonderful little story (summarized well, above) of a girl who spots tadpoles and the next day, collects some up and brings them to school. The colorful and detailed illustrations burst off the page and involve children ages 3-5 with her independent ideas and spirit. The children and teacher demonstrate a variety of cultural styles, the teacher gets right into the spontaneous teaching opportunity Wanda has provided, the parents are warm and loving. This book reminds me of another wonderful series by Vera Rosenberry (Vera's Baby Sister, Vera Rides a Bike, When Vera Was Sick, Vera Goes to the Dentist, Vera's First Day at School), which are definitely worth a look. I think this Wanda book is much better than the first (which has a strange story: she gets an earring stuck in her hair and is embarrassed about it at school) and I hope the author writes more in the series.

The delightful sequel to the highly recommended "Wanda and the Wild Hair", Wanda and the Frogs is the latest picturebook featuring the adventures spunky young Wanda, who is completely enchanted with all the trappings of spring - especially its rain puddles and wriggling black tadpoles! When she brings tadpoles in a sand pail to her teacher, her class is allowed to care for them until they become frogs. But then what will happen to the frogs? Wanting to keep the frogs, Wanda devises a scheme to move them into her own bedroom - with hilarious results! Bright color illustrations add a festive touch to this exuberant story with a touching moral about compassion. "'Now Wanda' he said, taking her by the hand. 'Let's get dressed and take the frogs back to the creek. Frogs don't like living in houses. They'll be much happier at the creek.' 'Okay,' said Wanda. 'But I'll be able to visit them, won't I?'"