The Incredible Pop-Up Frog and other wetland creatures

Beautifully presented and bursting with information, ‘The Incredible Pop-Up Frog and other wetland creatures’ is an absorbing read, with plenty of interactive elements to keep readers engaged.

A mixture of pop-ups, wheels, flaps to lift and tabs to pull allow readers to explore different wetland environments and the creatures which live there. Headings and side headings help readers to locate information which is presented in clearly written, well explained sections. This is one of those books which really has no upper age limit- there is plenty to fascinate everyone.

Teachers could take inspiration from the way food chains have been presented using a wheel which turns to show these links in five different locations, perhaps inspiring children to create their own in this way. Similarly, creating a fold out diagram like the one showing the life cycle of a frog is a far more appealing way of presenting this information than a simple drawing. There is plenty of information here which extends beyond the confines of the science curriculum, developing children’s knowledge and understanding in a very visual way.

As well as focusing in on different locations from around the world and allowing readers to compare and contrast these, the book offers information about the different depth zones- the surface, the middle and the bottom of watery locations. The final page encourages readers to try creating their own wetland environment, something which could be done at home or at school and offer the opportunity for children to work scientifically, carefully observing nature and enjoying the benefits such activities can bring.

The Incredible Pop-Up Frog and other wetland creatures

Ben Hoare, illustrated by Jasmine Floyd

Templar ISBN: 978-1800788718

NNFN2023: One Tiny Treefrog/ So You Want to be a Frog

Day 23 of NNFN2023 and today has a frog theme! Each book takes a different approach, but both are bursting with froggy facts!

‘One Tiny Treefrog’ is both beautiful and informative. For younger children, it offers a lively counting down book as ten tiny tadpoles fight to survive in the tropical rainforest; for older children, it offers plenty of scientific information about life cycles, habitats, predators and prey, including Latin classifications.

The illustrations are full of details to notice and discuss, offering a tropical feeling which is sure to encourage curiosity about Costa Rica and the lowland wet forest which forms the habitat for all the creatures introduced on these pages. Additional information is included at the end of the book, offering more detail on the lifecycle of the red-eyed treefrog and Costa Roca.

This is a stunning information book which works on different levels for different children. A real must-have!

One Tiny Treefrog: A Countdown to Survival

Tony Piedra and Mackenzie Joy

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1529509694

In ‘So you want to be a Frog’, readers are invited to become members of the Frog Club. It’s light-hearted tone makes it a very accessible, entertaining read, but without compromising the wealth of factual information the book contains. Fabio Frog appeals directly to the reader- Let’s take a look at you! Hmm. You’re not exactly green, are you?- and then chats away, sharing all manner of details about how frogs behave. At one point, he challenges readers to Wiggle like crazy! in an attempt to move like a tadpole!

Beautiful illustrations add much to the text. Fabio is drawn in a cartoon style whilst the representations of other frogs are more realistic and there are plenty of humorous touches. This is a book which children will return to again and again -either independently or as a shared experience with an adult or older sibling. Clever, informative and enjoyable! See you on the lily pad!

So you want to be a FROG: Everything there is to know about frogs!

Jane Porter, illustrated by Neil Clark

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1406399714