The Frog Who Wanted to Be a Singer,Used

From BooklistAges 5^8. In a world where only birds croon, a young frog wants to do the unspeakablesing. Mocked by his fellow frogs and scorned by the birds, he feels 'mighty bad, mighty sad, mighty mad, and mighty frustrated,' but he doesn't give up. Brother Fox gives him his first break on the Big Time Weekly Concert, which begins in disaster and ends in triumph. Frog introduces 'what we now call Boogiewoogie' with his 'dooba dooba doos,' and 'that is how Rhythm and Blues was born.' Appended 'backstage notes' add a few bits of boogiewoogie history. Goss, an awardwinning storyteller, has honed her story well, effectively repeating phrases, and so skillfully shifting the tempo that readers will be snapping their fingers. Told in a distinctly African American syntax and diction, not dialect, this begs to be read aloud. Jabar's vigorous scratchboard illustrations are a perfect fit, portraying a dynamic forest nightlife in vibrant colors. The emphasis on Frog's selfdetermination, clearly but not intrusively instructive, adds a moral dimension, and music notation on the endpapers offers an added dimension. Of all the book's virtues, however, the best is its charm. Linda PerkinsProduct DescriptionThe birds are the only animals that sing in the forest, but a frog with a powerful desire to make music gets his chanceFrom Publishers WeeklyA frustrated amphibian with a dream propels this picture book about the power of selfconfidence. More than anything, Frog longs to belt out his soulful songs before an audience. However, the birds are the only beasts in the forest to land a singing gig, andalong with most of the other animalsthey laugh at Frog's aspirations. ('Fool, you crazy?... Frogs don't sing in this place'). But buoyed by his parents' support and his need to express his talent, Frog books himself at the Big Time Weekly Concert, where, after an embarrassing bout of stage fright, he lets loose with a boogiewoogie solo. A huge hit, he inspires a number of dance crazes among his fans. Goss's (coauthor of Talk That Talk) chatty, laidback, bluesinfused storytelling ('Have you ever been frustrated? That's right, I said frustrated. Tell the truth now') immediately wins the attention of readers, and her sympathetic tone leads children through the somewhat lengthy text at a good pace. Jabar's (No Hickory, No Dickory, No Dock) vibrantly colored scratchboard characters on black backgrounds take center stage. Such spirited yet sweet scenes as Frog crooning with eyes closed and a huge grin on his face, or parting his 'hair,' and elephants gleefully doing the bump are particularly memorable. An author's note discusses the African roots of blues music and its offshoots in American popular music. Ages 48.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.From School Library JournalKindergartenGrade 3?Little Frog 'feels mighty bad, mighty sad, mighty mad, and mighty frustrated!' He wants to be a singer, and he knows he has talent, but in his part of the woods only birds are allowed to sing. He finally convinces Brother Fox, the boss of the Big Time Weekly Concert, to let him be the opening act for the popular Friday show. When the big night arrives, stage fright sets in and Frog must find the strength to turn a bad situation around with 'TheShowMustGoOn' finesse. This upbeat pourquoi tale has definite soul with Boogiewoogie undertones. Youngsters will relate to Frog's feelings and will admire his initiative to turn a failure into a success, just by being himself. This picture book has some backstage notes about Frog's 'dooba dooba' tune and explains its role as the root of Rhythm and Blues. Traditional Boogiewoogie patterns appear on the endpapers. Jabar's clever scratchboard illustrations complement the lively text with vivid colors and bold use of line. A creative selection that is conducive to storytelling.?Kathy Mitchell, Gadsden Co. Public Library, Quincy, FLCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.From K