Lilliana and the Frogs

Lilliana and the Frogs is another delightful offering from British Columbia native Scot Ritchie who has over sixty books to his credit, both fiction (Owen at the Park) and nonfiction (Join the No-Plastic Challenge! A First Book of Reducing Waste) and others in the Kids Can “Exploring Our Community” series). A talented author-illustrator, Ritchie is always able to capture movement and emotion, sometimes funny, sometimes wistful, in his detailed pen and wash pictures.

Here, the subject is one of ecological conservation, and the story begins as curly-haired Lilliana ventures out. This eager young naturalist is set to capture some chorus frogs.

Chorus frogs are very small. Just like Lilliana.
Chorus frogs sing at night. Lilliana loves to listen.
Chorus frogs are hard to find. But Lilliana has a plan.

The chant continues with a few spare sentences describing the action in each spread as Lilliana tracks the frogs, catches them, feeds them and pursues them around the house after they escape from their inadequate cage (which is, unfortunately, in her bedroom).

The chorus frogs have disappeared. Lilliana needs to find them.
Chorus frogs move very fast. “Have you seen my frogs?” Lilliana asks.

After wreaking havoc around the house, the little amphibians are caught up in a whirlwind, the movement of which is graphically shown swirling around the kitchen with its spilled salad and smashed plates. With the back door open, all the little green visitors (I counted 14 in this chaotic picture near the end of the book) fly up into the air and back to the park.

Lesson learned: Lilliana realizes that the frogs are better off in their natural habitat.

Chorus frogs need pond and forest. “Welcome home,” says Lilliana.

A supplementary note indicates that the story was inspired by the author’s own attempt to catch and keep frogs when he was a boy growing up in south Vancouver. There is also a plea for readers to think about urban wildlife that has lost its traditional space because of development and pollution. End papers are delicately embellished with drawings of the life cycle of the chorus frog.

The illustrations in Ritchie’s signature animated style include much droll detail, including a whole lot of frog paraphernalia in Lilliana’s room at the start, that shows what the girl is passionate about: frog posters, pillows, books and even froggy slippers. These and the amusing story with its gentle message make Lilliana and the Frogs a good addition to library shelves.