PPBF: The Frog in the Well

Boring cover to you, fantastic typeface to me!

Author: Alvin Tresselt
Illustrator: Roger Duvoisin
Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1958
Age: 3-6
Themes: dwellings, frogs, reflection
Opening: There was once a frog who lived in a well, and a fine well it was, too.

 

Summary: Once upon a time there was a frog who lived at the bottom of a well. The well was the frog’s whole world, until the day the well ran dry and the bugs began to disappear. What was happening to the world, the frog wondered, and what could he do? The hungry frog decided he must hop to the top of the well to see what he could of the end of the world. Conquering his fear, he peered out, and what did he see? Trees, flowers, meadows, marshes, and all kinds of end-of-the-world creatures! Entranced, the little frog ventured forth to find out more about the world outside his own. Based on a classic Chinese fable, and written and illustrated by the Caldecott-winning Alvin Tresselt and Roger Duvoisin, The Frog in the Well is a charming tale of one brave frog and his journey into wisdom.

Why I like this book: Oldy but a gooooody! Found this title while I was searching for storytime books with a ‘home’ theme, and fell in love. Wouldn’t be the first time a girl fell for a sweet frog, eh? Still fresh for todays readers.

Resources/Activities: Read about the illustrator HERE though I am sure many of you are familiar with his classics like, Petunia, Veronica, or The Happy Lion! If not – you need to read them! If you just want to wallow in a pool of his wonderful images – click HERE. Make a storytime-craft activity with a paper towel roll, or clothes pins.

For more Perfect Picture Book picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.