Review by Booklist Review
Many little frogs crowd atop what appears to be a large, rounded rock in a pond. Nearby, they see the head of a much larger green creature, sleeping with his body submerged. As they chatter about the big frog, he wakens and sets them straight: he isn't a frog, he's a dragon. The childlike frogs, convinced that "dragons, unicorns, giraffes, and cupcakes are imaginary," repeatedly reject the dragon's statement. According to their syllogistic reasoning, frogs are green, wet, and amphibious. So is he. Therefore, he's a frog. Increasingly frustrated and angry, the dragon shoots flames toward the startled frogs, who leap into the pond. The dragon apologizes. So do the frogs. Meanwhile, the turtle (the "rock" they had perched upon) befriends the dragon. Hahn's illustrations--ink drawings with watercolor washes--are spirited and engaging. Half the pleasure of this original picture book comes from knowing that the frogs are utterly wrong, and the other half lies in their nonstop prattle, which is generally amusing and, at one point, laugh-out-loud funny for kids. An enjoyable read-aloud choice.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In a series of watery-hued color-washed vignettes, a large green figure shown emerging from a pond is immediately deemed a frog by a chorus of tiny green amphibians. Though the figure insists that it's a dragon--not a frog--it's unable to make headway with the group. "Everybody knows that dragons, unicorns, giraffes, and cupcakes are imaginary," insists one of the croaking chorus. Initially puzzled by the dogmatic responses ("It is so sad! You don't know who you are. So we will tell you"), the dragon finds a dragonfly ally ("You are real! You exist!"), and asserts its dragon-ness with a blaze of orange fire ("I. Am. A. Dragon. A very mad dragon!"). The frogs are chastened ("We will be better listeners"), the dragon forgives, and the outcropping on which the haranguing crew has perched is revealed to be a turtle, who earns a hug from the dragon by reminding the assembled that "just because he's green and wet, that doesn't mean that he is a frog." This empathic story of standing tall and fiery in the face of biased groupthink is also wonderfully funny: Hahn (Pineapple Princess) shows impeccable timing across the all-dialogue prose, hitting each comic beat along the way. Ages 4--8. Agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. (July)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--Hahn (Pineapple Princess) brings Sandra Boynton--like bounce to these scenes of an indignant dragon in a pond with 14 or so skeptical frogs on a rock; a Greek chorus in green. The dragon knows who he is. A dragon. The frogs know he's imaginary. The debate continues for several spreads, but it's more of a philosophical duet, with both sides scoring good points and the dragon increasingly frustrated. In the meantime, a seagull makes off with one of the frogs. Only when the dragon blasts them with fire do the frogs, sunburned and contrite, find they need solace from the rock (actually a turtle)and they all agree to be more open-minded. There is so much silliness here, but the main dialogue and the asides printed over the speakers' heads keep everything moving. The exuberant cartoons and the arguments are so well-crafted that children will be eager to turn every page. VERDICT Where did that one frog go? That squabble aside, this is a funny book with a childlike cast, a rousing bonfire at the finale, and dragon-toasted marshmallows for everyone. Even if it's all imaginary, it's a delight.--Kimberly Olson Fakih
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
In a frustrating case of mistaken identity, a group of frogs believe a dragon to be one of them. A dragon happens to be soaking in the water next to very chatty frogs. Seeing the creature's head poking out of the water, they immediately decide it has to be a very big frog. Despite repeated protestations ("I am a dragon!"), the frogs insist that dragons are imaginary. It takes a roaring mouthful of flames aimed at the little hoppers to finally convince them that this is, in fact, "a very mad dragon." At its core, the story is about not being believed when you know who you are and finding a fiery passion to stand up and say it--a powerful message executed deftly. The adorable dragonfly that buzzes around the dragon serves as a helpful cheerleader, almost the story's moral compass, reminding the dragon that it is real and pointing out that it's important to "question everything!" The illustrations are simple in the best way, matching the text. A limited palette of pale blues and shades of green help focus the setting and highlight the characters. The book definitely hits its target audience with the right amount of humor and appropriate pacing. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A funny tale with a much-needed lesson. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
