The Great Frog

Two siblings make sense of a fragile world in an insightful picture book debut from Palazzola that’s set around a clutch of frogspawn. When Kit’s little brother Peedie pokes at a bunch of frog eggs, Kit (who “knew about science” and “about little brothers”) explains that they take the form of a blob to “keep them safe from kids with sticks.” To soothe Peedie, who subsequently worries about the eggs, Kit invents the eponymous amphibian—a huge, sky-dwelling, deity who “looks after the little ones” and rides a magnificent steed called Tarnation. Over four chapter-like sections—each with inset drawings chronicling the eggs’ development—the Great Frog’s mythology deepens, as does Peedie’s understanding of collective care: “There should be a looker-after for everything little,” he says. And when Kit finally admits there the Great Frog “was a story,” Peedie responds with unexpected profundity, noting “Lots of true things are stories.” 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. Characters are portrayed with pale skin and dark hair. “Kit’s Science Notes” and an author’s note conclude. Ages 4–8. Agent: Liz Nealon, Great Dog Literary. (May)