Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet Dutch adventure story follows kids exploring nature.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
Before he leaves for the hospital for throat surgery, Jannus (Thijs Goedknegt) tells his younger brother Max (Nino den Brave) that he must retrieve frog spawn in a jar in order to ensure that Jannus can talk again. This leads Max on a wild adventure from the city hospital to the countryside, where he befriends a little girl named Jesse (Whitney Franker). Together, they see cows, pigs, foxes, frogs, toads, and bear tracks.
Is It Any Good?
In spite of the slight cultural differences and the English overdubbing of the children's voices, FROGS AND TOADS: MAX'S MAGICAL JOURNEY is a fun and nature-filled adventure. It's especially appealing for young kids interested in amphibians and other creatures seen in the wild or on farms. The story is easy to understand, silly at times, and imparts important lessons about caring for animals, and also telling the truth to your friends and family.
Parents be aware: This film is way more comfortable with flatulence than most children's films you've seen. It doesn't happen much (once at the beginning and twice at the end), but if you're child is finding these kinds of things hysterically funny, they might get wrapped up in the humor of the moment rather than the story itself.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what happens when you don't tell the truth. Max's older brother Jannus tells him that he needs frog spawn so he can talk again. Max tells Jesse that he's an orphan. What happens to these two when they are caught not telling the truth?
How is this movie different from children's movies made in the United States, and elsewhere? How could you tell is was made outside the United States?
What do Max and Jesse learn about all the different animals they meet along the way? Do you learn anything from watching this movie?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 5, 2011
- Cast : Nino den Brave , Thijs Goedknegt , Whitney Franker
- Director : Simone van Dusseldorp
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Phase 4 Films
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Run time : 70 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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