Frog and Friends Celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve

September 1, 2015
Frog and his animal pals celebrate the winter holidays in this latest in Bunting's early-reader series. In the Thanksgiving story, Frog and his regular crew of friends invite a host of additional critters to join them, from crickets to a hippo. Some animals are afraid of being eaten by others, but Frog calms them all down, and they share their dinner in peace. The Christmas story finds Frog and his friends cooperating in decorating a tree and sharing sweet treats. On New Year's Eve, the animals celebrate with games and a nap under the stars. The stories are quietly entertaining and cleverly humorous with solid plots, subtle lessons, and a cozy sense of community among the group of friends. Bunting's polished prose is several levels above most early readers, particularly in Frog's calm leadership and in the understated humor. Charming illustrations are thoughtfully integrated with the text, including lots of spot illustrations as well as some full-page views. Just like the Frog and Toad series, these stories work well as early readers but are also strong enough to succeed as read-alouds for younger children too. Frog and friends are a delightful group-entertaining, charming, and funny. Just the sort of friends anyone is glad to have. (Early reader. 5-7)

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January 1, 2016
In three festive stories, readers will enjoy celebrating with Frog and his friends as they welcome a new friend to their Thanksgiving table, decorate a communal Christmas tree together, and party in their own special way on New Year's Eve. The accessible text is a good fit for newly independent readers. Colorful, well-placed illustrations capture the joy and happiness of the holidays.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)