Little Frog and the Scary Autumn Thing - Paperback

by Jane Yolen (Author), Ellen Shi (Illustrator)

"Rich colors underscore the intensity of Little Frog's feelings...a low-key way of introducing the idea of change, in nature or otherwise." - KIRKUS REVIEWS

Most things that are scary are just new...

Little Frog and the Scary Autumn Thing helps families embrace the new and unknown through the story of one little frog learning that change doesn't have to be frightening--especially when families face it together!

It's Little Frog's first autumn, and she doesn't like it one bit. It is not the green world she loves so much, but something scarier and ominous, filled with red and gold and yellow. And noise! WHIRRRRR. CHIRRRR. BAROOOOOOM. But encouraged by her Mama, who reminds her that "Most things that are scary are just new," Little Frog bravely sets out into this world. When her courage waivers, she starts to run and soon is lost, miserably lost. She finds her way to Papa Frog, and he shows her what Mama Frog means.

In a warm and satisfying ending:

At last, arm in arm,
Little Frog and Papa Frog
happily hopped and danced
all the way home to The Pond
where Mama Frog had made
a fresh shoo-fly pie for dinner,
something all three of them knew well.

This charmer of a story is by multi-award winning author Jane Yolen, author of Owl Moon and the How Do Dinosaurs...? books. The wonderful autumn palette and adorable pictures are by newcomer Ellen Shi, who is not afraid of trying something new herself.

About the LITTLE FROG Series

Fear comes in many shapes and sizes.

Seasons change.

Families change.

And change can be a scary thing for a little mind exploring the complicated emotions of facing the unknown. With gentle sweetness, Little Frog makes them laugh and breathe a sigh of relief through life's natural cycles. Little Frog shows young children they can muster up courage in the face of all things strange and new.

With a little love, patience, and acceptance, big fears can be turned into bigger discoveries.

Praise for LITTLE FROG

"Vivid autumn foliage is generally considered to be a thing of beauty, but those unfamiliar colors spell danger to a young frog. Yolen doesn't rush Little Frog's emotional turnaround. Shi's inviting mixed-media landscapes make it clear that the amphibian is never in danger...reasoned reactions to her own nervousness hint at ways readers might tackle their own fears." -- PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY

Back Jacket

"Little Frog is classic Jane Yolen: elegant, surprising, humorous, and touching. And Ellen Shi's illustrations are lovely and whimsical: a perfect match for a delightful story." -- Mira Bartók, author of The Memory Palace, and the soon to be published The Wonderling: Songcatcher, also an animated film.

"Yolen's mellifluous words and Shi's watery pictures leap into the fall season. Little Frog's is a beautifully orchestrated journey." -- Kelly Murphy, lllustrator of Masterpiece and The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency.

"Jane Yolen's Little Frog is a character children will love, because they will sympathize with her childhood fears--the kind that often make no sense to grownups. Ellen Shi perfectly captures the variety of expressions and the emotions felt by the character, and her spare, loose watercolor style complements Yolen's economical use of language." -- Ruth Sanderson, author/illustrator of A Castle Full of Cats and Golden Dreams.

"Little Frog's brave and adventurous spirit is endearing. Yolen crafts a colorful tale, paired with luminous art by Ellen Shi." -- Melissa Sweet, illustrator of Caldecott Honor books: The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus and A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams.

Author Biography

Jane Yolen has authored more than 365 books including the Caldecott-winning Owl Moon, and the New York Times bestselling series How Do Dinosaurs. Jane's books have been translated into over 20 languages and are popular around the world.

Ellen Shi grew up in the great state of New Jersey and recently graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design majoring in Illustration. She loves color, simple shapes, and texture. Ellen is also an avid fan of nature, film, and books. When not drawing or painting, you will probably find her with her nose in a book.