|
BOOK REVIEWS
|
|
1. Review by Julie Thorndyke
The Preposterous Frog by Beverley George
illustrated by Tumi K. Steyn
Published by Kenilworth Tales, 2010
ISBN 978-0-9578831-7-8
Children’s picture book
Softcover; 24 pages; $15
In our multicultural world, children (and teachers) often come across names that are unfamiliar and a challenge to pronounce. The Preposterous Frog
takes this problem and engages with it in a gentle tone that is at once practical, imaginative and wise. The concepts of names, identities and friendships
are explored through characters that are both real and sympathetic, be they a frog, a goldfish, or an owl. George’s characters live in a safe but not
completely untroubled world, where there are challenges to be met, friends to meet and solutions to be found to life’s difficulties. Charming black and
white drawings from emerging artist Tumi K. Steyn extend the characterisation and enhance the sense of calm that pervades the text. This collaboration
between an Australian writer and a South African illustrator amply demonstrates the sense of goodwill and co-operation that underlies this deceptively
simple, well-told tale. Attractively presented in a delicious froggy-green cover, this soft cover book is nevertheless sturdy enough to withstand many
re-readings. Suitable to be read to preschoolers; independent readers to Year 3.
reviewed by Julie Thorndyke
inCite volume 31 Issue 3 April 2010 p. 21
Reprinted on Pass It On Issue 290 May 17 2010
2. Review by Jennie Townsend
The Preposterous Frog by Beverley George
illustrated by Tumi K. Steyn
Published by Kenilworth Tales, 2010
ISBN 978-0-9578831-7-8
Children’s picture book
Softcover; 24 pages; $15
I confess. I am a closet collector of children’s picture books. Nothing against Sandra Boynton or Dr. Seuss but not those kinds of picture books.
I’m talking the real McCoy. Books with involving stories that explore the subject of human foibles and traits in a deft, loving, often forgiving
story that encourages us to accept things in ourselves that are worthwhile or worth changing. What makes picture books unique from all others
are the illustrations—gorgeous and rich, body of artwork that complements the story line. The best of these books are the kind that make anyone
reading them aloud a natural storyteller. These are the books you save, the ones your children will remember and ask for once their own children
come along and they want to share something they loved, cherished stories from their own childhood.
Now I have a new book in my collection: The Preposterous Frog. Written by Beverley George and beautifully illustrated by Tumi Steyn,
they’ve brought a story to life of one simple frog, his neighbors-soon-to-be-friends, and their environment, the pond. Each character has
likable qualities and not as likable quirks making them so identifiable, most of all with the frog, Preposterous. With a name like that, who
would not? The story is given in a style that is natural, without guile, and open to the reader’s participation. The drawings, winningly done
in pencil, bring the characters into their personas, not outlandishly but, again, with a natural hand. One of the rarer underpinnings of
memorable picture books is the perfect meld of writing to art and Beverley George and Tumi Steyn did it.
They have a web page set up through John Bird’s publishing site:
http://www.preposterousfrog.info
I hope their book does well indeed and harbor a wish that down the road they will work together again. I need to order more copies because
I can think of several children and quite a few adults who will be delighted to have this book to read, or have read to them, time and time again.
Review by Jennie Townsend
Jennie Townsend writes haiku and has had work published in the Red Moon anthologies, "inside the mirror", "pegging the wind", “echoes” and
A New Resonance 4. Her poems also appear in leading haiku journals, including Frogpond and The Heron's Nest.
Jennie is secretary of the popular international monthly Shiki Kukai.