Spells
By Patricia Tauzer,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Kids may need help jumping into clever frog-prince tale.
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Based on 1 parent review
Pretty good for bed time story
What's the Story?
The small green frog is full of wishes and dreams. One day he finds a book of spells, and tries to cast all sorts of magic words into the caldron, hoping to become a handsome prince and kiss the princess. Different combinations have different results, until finally he gets his wish ... for a moment. Unfortunately for him, a simple twist at the end brings him back to reality.
Is It Any Good?
This rather quirky story might be called a fractured fairytale, a playful twist on the story of the frog and the princess, and it is cleverly told. This time the story is told from the frog's point of view, and it doesn't turn out all that well for him. The format is as clever as the tale. Once the frog starts putting together his spells from the torn-up pages of the spell book, the pages of the actual book are cut in half. On one side, the spell has been divided in two so the reader can make it start and end in a variety of ways. The top half of the other side shows the head of the creature the frog becomes, the bottom his bottom. This gives the frog, and the reader, all sorts of possible combinations that are silly and not quite what the frog is hoping for.
The format is fun and unique and meant for someone comfortable with reading and following what is going on. However, it may be rather confusing for some kids, especially for a younger reader trying the book out on his or her own. Also, the twist at the end, written in small print and located on the very last page, might be missed altogether.
As befitting the book, the illustrations are truly eerie, a bit mysterious, and definitely magical. The animals are especially fantastic. Subtle tones are set against black paper, and created by pencil, watercolors, shredded paper and a bit of glitter.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the unusual art. Why are the pages cut in half? Which part of the frog changes first? How many different ways can you turn the pages? How does that change the story?
As they flip through the various pages, parents and kids might talk about what creature they think the frog will turn into next. How do the words of the spell tell you what might be coming?
How is this story different from other fairy tales about the princess and the frog?
Book Details
- Author: Emily Gravett
- Illustrator: Emily Gravett
- Genre: Picture Book
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Publication date: October 6, 2009
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 32
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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