FRIBBITY RIBBIT!

This high-octane romp with a frog will have your tongue tied in knots as the little jug-o-rum disrupts an entire household while trying to make its escape. A boy makes a leap for a frog in the backyard, but it springs away, right on to the nose of the father working on his car: “Frog in dad’s garage. Fribbity-ribbit. Got him? Fribbity-rap-rap-rap! Ribbity-tap-tap-tap! Whoa!” On through the house they race, picking up family members as they chase from room to room, through Grandpa’s batter, the dog’s bowl (“Fribbity-ruff-ruff-ruff-ruff-ruff!”), Grandma’s office, Sister’s bath (“Fribbity-splish! Ribbity-splash!”), Brother’s room (“Fribbity-twing-twang-toot! Ribbity-bing-bang-boom!”), into Mama’s studio: “Fribbity-green! Fribbity-orange! Ribbity-red, white and blue!” By the time the frog scares the dickens out of the cat, he’s got an entire conga line of folks running in his wake. Then it’s some fancy footwork down a banister and back to the yard he flees. Tilley’s focus is nearly always on the close-up frog and his effect on each character. This magnification adds strength to the humor, which is already pretty hilarious. Fribbity-ribbit, great fun. (Picture book. 3-7)