The Great Frog
Written and Illustrated by Katie Palazzola
A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
★ "An insightful picture book debut. . . . Mixed-media artwork imbues the Great Frog’s domain with rich texture and romanticism, while the children’s world remains simplified in thin-lined cartoons. Via smart vignettes, the children’s frank discussion captures something essential about protecting vulnerability that’s worth dwelling on." —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
★"Kit and Peedie are cartoon-style figures foregrounded against lush, textured mixed-media spreads depicting the natural world and Kit’s flights of fantasy, suggesting the children’s sense of what is real and most important to them. The perspective of the compositions zooms in and out, up and down, adding drama to a quiet yet surprisingly moving story about siblings centered, together and safe, in a wild, active world. . . . [A] tender offering, featuring a nuanced sibling relationship." —The Horn Book, Starred Review
"With succinct wordplay, the book effortlessly highlights a specific kind of kid logic. Kit and Peedie’s reality is depicted in simple, almost cartoonish art, while the Great Frog is textured, elaborate, and more realistically rendered (though still comfortable riding a horse through the sky). Meanwhile, Peedie’s simple faith in Kit echoes gentle sibling relationships everywhere. . . .Tenderly appreciative of the very small, whether that’s brothers or amphibians." —Kirkus Reviews
"This quiet, reflective picture book focuses on imagination, belief, and the bond between siblings. . . . [Suggests] that wonder has its own kind of truth. Palazzola’s tender narrative is simple, allowing big ideas to surface through small moments. The tone carries a light touch of whimsy reminiscent of the imaginative curiosity found in Dipper and Mabel in Gravity Falls, where everyday discoveries can feel magical. The narrative thoughtfully explores how stories help children understand the world and how their “looker-afters” can learn from a child’s willingness to believe. Illustrations are bold, clean, and expressive, using vibrant color and uncluttered compositions to keep focus on the emotional core of the story. The book is striking and memorable, rendered with a presence that invites readers to wonder whether it might exist after all. A gentle, contemplative selection . . . capturing the shared language of storytelling." —School Library Journal
"The weird and wonderful story infuses whimsy into a lesson about a frog’s life cycle, combining the amusing mythology with a bit of science and a beautifully drawn familial relationship. The illustrations are inviting, whether capturing a cavorting sky-frog or sibling shenanigans. An unusual and affectionate reminder to look after the little things—and each other." —Booklist