Mr. Frog Went A-courting - Hardcover

Gary Chalk

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0751370266 ISBN 13: 9780751370263

Publisher: Dorling Kindersley, 1994

Synopsis

This picture book tells two stories. The words tell the story of Mr Frog who courted Miss Mouse, married her, celebrated and met a sticky end. The pictures reveal the secret story of love-lost Miss Frog who propels the plot from behind the scenes, in full view of the reader.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?A new look at an English folk song that mixes traditional verses with a narrative story. After an introduction that provides lyrics and music for "Mr. Frog Went a-Courting," a tale of jealousy and intrigue unfolds. A cavalier frog, meticulously clothed, rides out to seek his fortune. First, he courts Miss Froggie, thinking that she is a wealthy heiress. When her humble lifestyle is revealed, he leaves the love-struck lady and heads for Greensleeve Manor, home of the fabulously rich Miss Mousie. As that courtship progresses and wedding plans are made, the jilted and jealous Miss Froggie stalks the couple, spying from a tree branch, peering into windows, and hiring a group of thugs. During the climactic wedding scene, Miss Froggie exacts her revenge with the help of a menacing one-eyed cat and a large snake. With its slightly British tone, the readable text blends well with the old-fashioned sound of the verses. The greedy frog frequently makes funny slips of the tongue, calling Miss Mousie "Miss Money," and mixing up "matrimony" with "money." The detailed watercolors, with their 17th-century flavor, add to the humor of the text. Unfortunately, parts of the illustrations are lost in the gutter and some of the mice look more like cats. Use this to supplement John Langstaff's Frog Went a-Courtin' (Harcourt, 1983), a classic version of the song with a more American flair.?Joy Fleishhacker, New York Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly

Chalk (Yankee Doodle) cleverly intersperses the words of the traditional ballad about the dapper frog in search of a bride throughout his embellished version of the tale. The gifted artist adds yet another dimension to his sprightly retelling by allowing much of the story to transpire through his vibrant illustrations, which brim with droll particulars. An intentionally switched street sign directs Mr. Frog (set on wooing the wealthy Miss Mousie) to the home of a less well-off young frog. When he realizes his error, Mr. Frog makes a hasty retreat to the home of the financially correct lady... followed closely (the pictures reveal) by the shunned female. The nuptials are troubled: a cat disguised as a mouse crashes the wedding celebration and chases Mr. Frog and Miss Mousie down to the lake, where the newlyweds are swallowed by a snake. Sharp-eyed youngsters will figure out that the scorned, snooping frog has something to do with the lovers' sorry fate. And they'll undoubtedly revisit Chalk's bustling pictures-the more you look, the more you see. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0751370266
• ISBN 13: 9780751370263
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1