Jack Beaumont (text) and Harry Beaumont (illustrator), The Little Green Frog, Little Green Olives/Green Olive Press, November 2020, 24 pp., RRP $24.95 (hbk), ISBN 9780648531692
In their debut title The Little Green Frog, Jack and Harry Beaumont invite us to follow a courageous frog as he jumps toward his goals. The story builds slowly as the frog’s determination grows. Every lily pad he lands on is a lesson in not giving up.
This book is the first title to be released under Green Olive Press’s ‘Little Olives’ imprint— books that are written by children, for children. Creating a book during a global pandemic is an impressive feat for anyone, especially authors and illustrators who are 8 and 6 years old!
The Little Green Frog is unique in so many ways—the typesetting and illustrations are particularly striking. Each word has been constructed with ink stamps, and the mixed-media pictures made from collaged materials are delightful.
In the final pages of the book, the story reaches its splashy crescendo. This is a book about resilience and the reward of persevering through challenges.
A great read aloud book for parents and teachers, The Little Green Frog might also appeal to child psychologists/mental health workers to read with their clients.
Recommended for preschool and lower primary ages.
Reviewed by Sarah Stivens
