A Spoonful of Frogs

written by Casey Lyall
illustrated by Vera Brosgol

Review posted September 29, 2022.
Greenwillow Books, 2022. 36 pages.
Review written September 21, 2022, from a library book
Starred Review
2022 Sonderbooks Standout:
#2 Silly Fun Picture Books

I'm a big fan of the art of Caldecott Honor illustrator Vera Brosgol, and this picture book is full of her signature humor and charm.

In the set-up, we've got a nicely-dressed witch appearing on a cooking show, "Bewitching Kitchen," demonstrating how to make "a witch's favorite treat" -- Frog Soup. After all the other ingredients go into the cauldron:

The last and most important ingredient is a spoonful of frogs.

This will add a kick of flavor and a pop of color.

But it turns out that getting frogs to stay on a spoon is not an easy task. And that's what the majority of the book is about -- chasing frogs, trying to get them on the spoon, with the frogs hopping every which way. When she thinks she finally has them -- well, things don't work out.

And it's all good silly fun. Lots and lots of opportunities for Vera Brosgol to insert her wonderful visual humor.

Even though I don't work in a library branch any more, I still look at a book like this and see wonderful opportunities for story time. I predict this will get a roomful of preschoolers or Kindergartners laughing.

Like Frog Soup, I recommend that you enjoy this book with friends.