Parents' Guide to

I'm a Frog! An Elephant & Piggie Book

By Carrie R. Wheadon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Unlikely friends play pretend in straightforward story.

Book Mo Willems For Beginning Readers 2013
I'm a Frog! An Elephant & Piggie Book Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 2+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Darby S.
Darby S. Parent of 8 and 16-year-old
September 29, 2019
age 2+

Surprise ending

We love the series of elephant and piggie books. The repetition allows young readers to feel like they are reading as they get the cadence of the book. In most of these books there is a funny surprise at the end, and this one does not disappoint. Read more reviews. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17082833-i-m-a-frog The age of the child is different for Different purposes. For young children two or three, The parent has the opportunity to get into character and the kid has the opportunity to jump around and act things out. For kids who are learning to read - four and five, The repetition allows them to kind of know what is coming in so it helps them read. Also if it’s been read to them since they were two or three, it’s familiar content. Finally, the friendship between the unlikely pair is very sweet. One is worrier and one is more free, and they really care for each other. So it’s a great book on friendship and diversity.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
victorianmermaid
victorianmermaid Adult
August 6, 2015
age 2+

Great book for young children

This is a great book to read to a child of any age. As a former library assistant at my high school(which also had every other grade below freshmen, down to kindergarten), I can say that children love this book. It inspires imagination and creativity in a very funny way. Even reading this to babies would be great, for there are lots of possible character voice opportunities. great for all ages.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Elephant's pretty worried. Here's his friend Piggie, hopping all over the place shouting, "Ribbit! ribbit!" and insisting he's really a frog. What if Elephant becomes a frog, too? When Piggie stops his hopping long enough to explain his game of pretend, he wants Elephant to start shouting, "Ribbit!" along with him. But Elephant has his own ideas.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (1):

This doesn't have the creative oomph of Let's Go for a Drive! or the wonderful cleverness of We Are in a Book, but there's no denying the fun of reading your kids a new-to-them Elephant & Piggie book. Expect more high-energy entertainment: hopping, more hopping, nervous pachyderm sweating, and quite a spirited round of "No, I can't!" and "Yes, you can!" All of Piggie's exaggerated enthusiasm in I'm a Frog makes a joyous contrast to Elephant's equally exaggerated worry. And, as always, there's a nice surprise at the end: Elephant will join in Piggie's game -- but in his own way.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about pretending. What do you like to pretend to be? An animal or a person with a special job, such as a firefighter? Piggie mentions that yes, grown-ups pretend, too. Parents -- is this true?

  • Which Elephant & Piggie book is your favorite? Why?

  • Did you guess the ending? Why can't Gerald be a frog? Do you like to play what your friends play or put in your own ideas?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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