999 Frogs

PreS-K—Wake up, sleepyheads! It's spring! Time to get up and enjoy the blossoming trees and growing flowers! That's what Mother Frog and 998 froglets say to their big brother as he continues to snooze and snore. Big brother finally does awake…but who is that still snoring? It's a turtle, who is grateful that the froglets woke him up in time to see the nearby cherry tree in bloom. Led by their big brother, the froglets proceed to wake up other slumbering creatures, including a lizard and a cluster of ladybugs. But who is that mysterious creature sleeping in the hole? After much tugging and "heave-ho"-ing, the frogs are shocked to discover a large snake eyeing them, looking for his next meal. Luckily, Mother Frog is able to soothe the snake back to sleep and the turtle takes him away, far into the woods. But who is that who went back to sleep along with the snake? It's big brother, all tuckered out from the morning's activities. Murakami's illustrations are bold, bright, and simple; the expression conveyed in something as small as the froglets' pupils tells volumes about the action. The use of white space keeps the focus right where it should be: on the darling froglets and the creatures they encounter. The text is brief enough to keep young audiences interested, particularly with fun expressions such as "zzz," and "POP!" In every way, this follow-up to 999 Tadpoles (NorthSouth, 2011) is a delight, and it is certain to be popular in frog- and springtime-themed storytimes.—Laura Lutz, Pratt Institute, New York City