Frog's Best Friend: A Holiday House Reader Book

Frog learns how to share his best friend, Turtle, with the other animals.

Candice Ransom - Children's Literature

When Frog wakes up from Nap Time, one of his personal four seasons, he looks for his best friend, Turtle. Turtle appears from his own long sleep and greets his other friends from the pond-Otter, Bird and Squirrel. Frog doesn't want to share Turtle. "My best, my dearest, my only friend." But Turtle gently refuses to become Frog's exclusive property. Frog becomes jealous. "His green turned greener." He tells Turtle to take a walk without him. When Baby Bear picks up Turtle, Frog hops to his friend's rescue. But even Frog's big mouth can't save Turtle. Otter, Bird, and Squirrel jump into the fray and help. Frog sees the worth in having more than one friend. Several lessons are imparted, some tongue in-cheek. "Never," (Mama Bear scolds Baby Bear), "never play with turtles. You don't know where they have been." Told with snappy pacing and humorous dialog, this leveled tale helps beginning readers welcome spring. Diane Dawson Hearn's cheerful illustrations in hues of pond-green reflect the story's humor, especially in the expressions of the animals. 2002, Holiday House,