Spoonful of Frogs: A Halloween Book for Kids

Description: "A witch's favorite treat is frog soup. Luckily, it's healthy and easy to make. To give it that extra kick and a pop of color, the key ingredient is a spoonful of frogs. But how do you keep the frogs on the spoon? They hop, they leap, they hide . . . and they escape. What is a poor witch to do?"--

Brief description:

Casey Lyall is the author of the acclaimed picture book A Spoonful of Frogs, illustrated by Vera Brosgol, as well as the picture book I Used to Be a Dinosaur, illustrated by Laurie Keller; the middle grade novels Gnome Is Where Your Heart Is; Waking the Dead and Other Fun Activities; and the popular Howard Wallace, P.I. series; and the graphic novel The League of Littles, illustrated by Sara Faber. She lives in southwestern Ontario, Canada, where she also works at her local library.

Review Quotes:

"An attempt to make frog soup, a witch's favorite treat, spells disaster during a cooking show when a key ingredient refuses to cooperate with the enchanting chef. . . . Lyall paces this mischievous story deliciously with well-timed page turns and repetition . . . Brosgol, meanwhile, makes excellent use of both white space and multipanel pages to enhance the comedic experience. . . . An all-seasons recipe for storytime success as readers will root for the frazzled witch to work her way out of a hilarious pickle." - Booklist (starred review)

"[A witch] demonstrates how to make frog soup in this humorous picture book tutorial. But after tossing in various veggies, the key ingredient--the titular froggy spoonful--refuses to cooperate. . . . The wily, hop-happy frogs escape from their tank, then prove subsequently and continually elusive. . . . Ideal for fans of cooking shows--or any kid who gets the giggles from seeing a flustered adult trying to hold it together." - Publishers Weekly

"[A witch] hosts her TV show . . . Today's episode involves a demonstration on how to make Frog Soup. . . . Expecting the frog to stay on the spoon is her undoing as she tries to remain professional and keep her cool. . . . This entertaining tale is a humorous look at how well-laid plans can sometimes go awry, and it will tickle children's silly bones." - School Library Journal

"Who knew soup-making was such an aerobic activity? . . . . It's tough to add a spoonful of frogs when the ingredient in question has other plans that include hopping, jumping, and, ultimately, escaping. Thanks to a little culinary magic, however, the day is saved with a briny substitution that pleases both the witch and their new froggy friends. . . . Storytellers will have audiences in stitches with this delectable delight, and children will giggle with each new frenzied attempt of the witch to place the frogs on the spoon. . . . Delicious fun for everyone--even frogs!" - Kirkus Reviews

"After heating the cauldron and adding spices and veggies, [a witch] reaches for the pièce de resistance: a 'spoonful of frogs.' Unfortunately for her, but hilariously for readers, the would-be ingredients repeatedly, cleverly hop away, evading the stew, stirring up trouble, and ultimately providing inspiration for a brand-new recipe. Lyall's spare, mostly restrained text uses ear-pleasing, catch-phrase-worthy repetition and variation ("Put. The FROGS. On. The SPOON") while Brosgol's retro-chic, increasingly frazzled digital illustrations are a chef's-kiss of comic timing." - Horn Book (starred review)

"Frog Soup [is] 'a witch's favorite treat' . . . The glamorous witch filming this TV segment, however, quickly discovers that frogs are not the easiest thing to get onto a spoon. . . . Surefire ingredients for a giggly storytime." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)