Tad
by Benji Davies (Author) Benji Davies (Illustrator)
* Indie Next List Selection * Winner of the Oscar's Book Prize *
From Benji Davies, the award-winning creator of The Storm Whale and illustrator of the Goodnight Already! series, comes a heartwarming and tender tale about courage and growth, featuring a special tadpole named Tad.
Tad is small. In fact, she is the smallest almost-a-frog in the whole, wide pond. That makes it hard for her to do big things like follow her tadsiblings who swim to other parts of the pond when they outgrow the nest.
As her tadbrothers and tadsisters swim up, up, up, they leave poor Tad by her lonesome. That's until...Big Blub shows up! He's not only bigger than Tad, but Big Blub isn't exactly what a tadpole would consider friendly.
Swimming at her own pace, Tad soon learns how to to be bigger than her fears. Benji Davies creates a memorable and timeless tale that proves sometimes the mightiest creature comes in the smallest package.
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Kirkus Reviews
One of the cutest tadpole-to-frog stories ever. (Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright 2020 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with Permission
Publishers Weekly
This smartly constructed story follows a school of tadpoles as they grow and change--all except the smallest, Tad. The tadpoles' nemesis is an ancient fish named Big Blub ("He was as old as the mud, they said"), who is partial to eating tadpoles. Underwater effects and a blue-green palette evoke murky liquidity as the tadpoles, with big, inquisitive eyes, achieve frogdom one by one: "We've lost our tails, we've lost our tails!" they cry. The tension mounts as Tad notices her companions leaving ("Where had they all gone? She didn't like to think"). Finally, Tad finds herself alone in the pond, and an inky double-page spread shows her cowering behind rocks as bubbles from below signal a hungry fish; she escapes in the nick of time. With firm command of his artwork and his pacing, Davies weds keen suspense to the slow, difficult process of waiting for milestones. By hitching that dilemma to the energy of an enemy-prey drama, he makes Tad's frustration--and delight at discovering where the others have gone--all the more vivid. Ages 4-8. (June)
Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1--In this charming story, a little tadpole named Tad is a late bloomer. Her brothers and sisters morph into frogs sooner than she does. She is all alone and afraid of Big Blub, a big, nasty fish at the bottom of the pond. However, Tad puts self-confidence into practice and she doesn't give up, because she knows she is strong and clever. When she finally comes face-to-face with Big Blub, Tad gathers her courage and swims faster than ever. She swims to the top of the pond to escape and climbs onto a rock. It is then that Tad realizes she finally lost her tail. This is a title that teaches readers to accept themselves, never give up, and to stand up to bullies. The detailed illsutrations are colorful and bright. VERDICT Highly recommended for purchase. This is a story about resilience that would work in classrooms or public library collections.--Robin Sofge, Prince William P.L. Syst., VA
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JUV002120 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Frogs & Toads
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV002370 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Baby Animals
Frogs
Picture books
Life cycles
Tadpoles
