Why the Frog Has Big Eyes Book

Once upon a time all frogs had beady little eyes...until one frog boasted that he could stare longer than anyone. Joung Un Kim's bold colors and stylized artwork are as spirited and amusing as the hilarious competition between Frog and his friends.

About the Author:

Joung Un Kim has illustrated five picture books, including A Year for Kiko by Freida Wolff. She lives in New York.

Children's Literature

This story could be classified as a fable or a pourquoi story. Frog didn't always have big eyes that popped out. A long time ago, frog had small eyes, but one particular frog enjoyed staring and bragged that no one could out stare him. Several of the animals tried but they all failed until fish took up the challenge. Frog stared so hard that his eyes grew bigger and bigger and, from that day on, that is the way they stayed. Fish of course can't blink as the boastful frog learned. The introduction describes the levels in the "Green Light Reader" series and provides some helpful tips to those working with kids. There is also a very brief blurb and photo of the illustrator. A Level 2 book. 2000, Harcourt, and $3.95. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot