Leap, Frog, Leap!

Short, slightly tongue-twisting exclamations celebrate movement across the animal kingdom in this exuberant rhyming board book. "Race, rabbit, race!/ Chase, cheetah, chase!" writes Florian as a pink bunny skips away from a green-eyed cheetah; they look more like they're playing tag than in predator-and-prey pursuit. (Later, though, two fish look a bit glum, caught in the talons of some soaring gulls). But the overall mood is one of gleeful fun, and the animals' destination is revealed in the closing scene of a baby napping in a hammock. How he can sleep amid all the activity is anyone's guess. Simultaneously available: Once I Was a Pollywog. Ages 3-6. Author's agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. (May)

Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Toddler-PreS--Florian's newest board books offer cheery introductions to the natural world for preschoolers and toddlers. Leap, Frog, Leap! combines action verbs with animals, with phrases such as "Race, rabbit, race!" and "Spin, spider, spin!" Once I Was a Pollywog focuses on the names of baby animals and what they grow up to be ("Once I was a cub...but now I am a bear."). Each book concludes with a human character--Leap, Frog, Leap! with a child sleeping and Pollywog with a baby who grows up into a boy. Both titles use rhymes and succinct text to help create a bouncy, simple rhythm for young readers to enjoy. Bakos's illustrations are bright and colorful, especially on the glossy board book pages, matching Florian's sprightly narrative. Even more dangerous animals, like a cheetah and an alligator, are drawn as warm, jovial, friendly characters rather than as scary or menacing, making the illustrations further suitable for preschoolers. In Pollywog, Florian offers some different creatures and terms with which children may not be as familiar, such as a leveret, which becomes a hare, and a gosling, which becomes a goose, providing more potential learning opportunities for young readers. VERDICT With vivid, lively illustrations; simple, direct writing; and plenty of adorable animals, this pair of titles will be strong choices for any board book collection.--Laura J. Giunta, Garden City Public Library, NY

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

An exploration of animal actions in rhyme. Veteran Florian's catchy verse makes this one bounce along: "Leap, frog, leap! / Creep, caterpillar, creep!" The skillful illustrations are playful and filled with amusing details. A blissful pink bunny bounds along ("Race, rabbit, race!"), oblivious to the fierce-eyed, sharp-clawed cat that pursues him ("Chase, cheetah, chase!"). The trekking turtle sports a backpack, a straw hat, and a supremely satisfied smile as it ambles along. In the final image, a pink-skinned child slumbers in a hammock ("Sleep, child, sleep!") with all of the animals that have appeared so far clustered around protectively. Companion title Once I Was a Pollywog introduces the juvenile and adult names of animals in rhyme: "Once I was a cub / but now I am a bear. // Once I was a leveret / but now I am a hare." Simple, clever verse and enchanting illustrations make both of these selections sure bets for toddlers and preschoolers. Librarians, teachers, and caregivers will want this and its companion in their board-book collections. (Board book. 2-5) (Once I Was a Pollywog: 978-1-4998-0141-5)—Kirkus Reviews in a STARRED REVIEW