About the Author

Jonathan London (www.jonathan-london.net) is the creator of twenty-three books about lovable and enduringly popular Froggy. He is also a poet and a novelist. Jonathan and his wife live in Graton, California.

Frank Remkiewicz (www.remkiewicz.com) has illustrated all of the Froggy books, as well as many other children's books. He has also created art for posters and greeting cards. Frank lives on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 2-A fun-for-all, tongue-tangling, giggle-getting, ``flap,'' ``bonk,'' ``slam'' of a rousing read-aloud. Froggy and his father prepare for a bike outing and picnic. Froggy says, "`I don't know where it is!'" about each item, and his father replies, "`It's wherever you left it!'" After much searching, complete with sound effects, the pair are too hungry to proceed, so they have their picnic on the patio, and then set off on their bicycles. Spirited, bright watercolor illustrations drip with froggy greenness and the background is awash with wonderfully intense, saturated tones and accent colors that have a neon brightness. Cartoon frogs in flipper-shaped sneakers pedal off into the sunset with their helmets securely in place. Rich with opportunities for audience participation, Let's Go, Froggy! should be a story-time favorite with innumerable theme possibilities.-Jody McCoy, Casady School, Oklahoma City

This inferior sequel to London and Remkiewicz's Froggy Gets Dressed finds main character Froggy waking up on a sunny spring morning; while the first Froggy tale (about the green amphibian's plans for a snowy day) has an air of spontaneity, this book's gaiety seems forced. This time, Froggy's dad suggests a bicycle trip and mentions some things to bring along--a bike helmet, a butterfly net, a ball. Unsurprisingly, Junior has misplaced his gear, and a familiar parent/child exchange recurs each time Froggy initiates a search: `` `I don't know where it is!' said Froggy. `It's wherever you left it!' said Frog Sr..'' The mildly humorous forgetfulness becomes repetitious; even the onomatopoeia (``flop flop flop'' to imitate the sound of Froggy walking), one of the highlights of the previous book, seems excessive. On the other hand, Remkiewicz's illustrations are as punchy as ever, and his exaggeratedly expressive characters are almost infectiously eager. Ages 2-6. Children's BOMC main selection. (Apr.)