There’s Nothing To Do! by Dev Petty - OPTIONAL

Petty, Dev There’s Nothing To Do! PICTURE BOOK.  Illustrated by Mike Boldt.  Doubleday (Random), 2017.  $17.

Frog is bored and no one can suggest anything that can cure it.  Then he finally listens to another frog and finds a way to pass the day. 

While think this might be a book about mindfulness, and no matter how cute the pictures are, it doesn’t quite work.  First of all, several other animals suggest the same type of thing that the final frog does.  Why he finally listens to another frog, I d o not understand.  Secondly, if this book was supposed to teach mindfulness, that part is actually so short, that I don’t think anyone would learn mindfulness from reading it.

Pre-K, El (K-3) – OPTIONAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

I Don't Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty - OPTIONAL

Petty, Dev  I Don’t Want to Be a Frog Illustrated by Mike Boldt  Doubleday Books, 2015.  $16.99  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.   

A young frog keeps telling his dad that he wants to be other types of animals: cat, owl, bunny or a pig and the dad keeps telling the frog he can only be a frog.  The little frog complains about being slimy and always eating bugs, but when they come across a wolf who explains how much he likes eating pigs and bunnies, but not frogs, the frog starts to see the benefits of being a frog.   

The illustrations are bright and colorful with cute facial expressions on the frogs, but it is hard to tell what the wolf is.  The story is about keeping perspective and appreciating what you are, but I think the point will be lost on little kids.  There are better books out there about appreciating who you are.    

EL (K-3)-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.       

I Don’t Want to be Big by Dev Petty - ESSENTIAL

Petty, Dev I Don’t Want to be Big, illustrated by Mike Boldt.  PICTURE BOOK.  Doubleday (Random), 2016.  $17.

Frog is back and now he’s decided he doesn’t want to get big, so he refuses to eat his dinner.  Is there anyone who can convince him that getting big is okay?

I think every child goes through a stage where they decide that growing up is not in their plan.  This is a super cute way to bring up the topic.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

I Don’t Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty - ADVISABLE

Petty, Dev I Don’t Want to Be a Frog, illustrated by Mike Boldt. PICTUREBOOK. Random House, 2015. $16.99. Content: G. 

A young frog argues with his dad.  He doesn’t want to be a frog; he wants to be a rabbit or a pig or an owl. But when a big wolf tells him what he likes to gobble up, the little frog is glad he is what he is.  

Told through dialogue, with large colorful bold pictures, this story about being happy with who you are is silly and fun.  A good read aloud, it can spark discussions about differences and similarities.  

EL  (K-3) - ADVISABLE  Lisa Librarian