jnbmoore's Full Review: Jonathan London - Froggy Eats Out
The Froggy books are very popular with kids. The illustrations by Frank Remkiewicz are bright and interesting. Froggy has involved parents. Author Jonathan London makes the stories interesting to read and listen to due to sound effects and plots that young kids will find interesting.
However, I'm really not impressed with Froggy Eats Out. Mr. London really loses points. Yes, kids will enjoy hearing the story; in this case, it's parents who will not be happy. This book has nothing in common with the Berenstain Bears First Time books. This is a book on how not to behave while eating out.
It is Frogg's folks' anniversary. Instead of being smart and getting a babysitter they decide to bring Froggy along to a fancy restaurant. We get an amusing two page spread where we go through the check list of getting him dressed -- complete with sound effects:
Then he tugged on his best pants -- zip! Buttoned up his best shirt -- zut! zut! zut!
When we get to the restaurant Froggy's mum reminds him to Be neat, be quiet, and don't put your feet on the table.
Froggy doesn't do well. He can't behave. They don't have hamburgers on the menu. He bangs his spoon. He hits a waiter with a spoon. He makes a mess. Do his parents correct him? No, not at all. Does he get a time out? No, not at all. Does he get grounded? No, not all.
What do they do instead? They leave and go to Speedy's fast food place to eat hamburgers and flies.
Now Monkey Girl thinks it's a very funny book and recommends it to everyone. I'm more guarded. I would say I could only recommend it to non-impressionable kids. Monkey Girl has reasonable behavior in a restaurant and can see the book for its humor. I'm more concerned about young ones who would take it as a guide book and something to imitate.
I guess it would be okay to read with your young ones if you were asking them questions like "What would happen if you did XXXX?" I remember asking that with Monkey Girl when she was in the closer demographic of this book of three to seven years old. Then this book could be used for teaching. If you are going to read it straight just for entertainment, I would recommend trying to go out to eat later on that day. You may have a monster on your hands.
Due to Monkey Girl's recommendation, the illustrations, and the story flow I do give this four stars. Due to the message, I can't recommend it. How's that for a schizophrenic recommendation?
P.S. According to Monkey Girl, if she acted the way Froggy did "You would take me home and all I would get is bread and water."
Froggy and his parents are dining at a fancy restaurant, but it s hard for Froggy to be neat and quiet. When he spots Frogilina, he ducks under the ta...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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