Flying Frogs and Walking Fish

Reviewed by: Patti Francis - Pownal Elementary School, Pownal, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 13, 2016

Review

Have you ever heard of a walking octopus or tiptoeing bat? A crab that can climb trees or a jet-propelled fish? Caldecott honor-winner Steve Jenkins and co-author Robin Page have once again found fascinating and unusual elements of the animal world to share with the youngest animal enthusiasts. Flying Frogs and Walking Fish focuses on animals that move in unusual ways. Written in expository nonfiction, Jenkins uses his signature torn- and cut-paper collage illustrations to bring each animal to life in great detail and with vivid colors. In their familiar writing style, Jenkins and Page have divided the book into sections by type of movement. Each section is introduced with a full page spread dedicated to one animal followed by a page featuring several other animals that also move in similar ways. The nonfiction features in this text include subject headings and animal names are in bold type. There is a biography with additional reading suggestions and an appendix at the end of the book featuring a brief paragraph about each animal in the book, giving a little more information, including habitat, size and description.

A beautiful and informative addition to Jenkins’ unique and appealing animal informational texts. An engaging nonfiction addition to an animal storytime. This book would also be a great starting point for an animal research project. Recommended for animal enthusiasts in prekindergarten through 3rd grade.

Overall Book Score: excellent