Frog A story of life on Earth

What was there before there were frogs? This picture book begins with the familiar life cycle of a frog before taking readers back in time--before frogs, before people and plants, before Earth. The creation of the world is described, step-by-step, in simple, accessible language, eventually circling back to the arrival of frogs and concluding once more with their life cycle. The rounded structure makes for a satisfying narrative arc, beginning and ending with the same question. Although the book appears informational, it lacks references or additional resources in the back matter. Instead, this title's strength lies in the storytelling, especially in its tone and illustrations, created with mixed media on paper, which reinforce the sense of wonder emanating from the text. An engaging introduction for curious children beginning to ask big questions, this concise text is approachable, and the story models curiosity, providing a clear look at the frog's life cycle. Recommended as a thought-provoking blend of science and storytelling for picture-book collections.

Thomas and Egnéus explore the history of the universe through an appealingly simple lens: a single frog. As a tan-skinned child observes frog eggs in a pond, Thomas poses a fundamental question: "Where did the first frog come from?" What follows is an extraordinary journey backward through billions of years, from the Big Bang through the formation of stars, the creation of our planet, the emergence of life, and evolution's long march toward amphibians. Thomas' poetic text maintains scientific accuracy while remaining comprehensible, explaining complex concepts such as atomic formation and cellular evolution without overwhelming youngsters. The refrain "but there were no frogs yet" provides both structure and a sense of anticipation as readers follow the progression from cosmic dust to living creatures. Egnéus' illustrations are stunning, moving seamlessly from swirling galaxies and exploding stars rendered in deep blues and fiery oranges to microscopic life forms dancing in jewel tones. His mixed-media approach combines painted textures with digital elements, creating images that feel both scientifically grounded and dreamlike. The book beautifully circles back to modern frogs, connecting their life cycles to the entire cosmic story. Like the duo's previous collaboration,Fox (2021), this work uses a familiar animal to illuminate profound concepts, though here the scope expands from life cycles to the universe itself. While ostensibly about frogs, this is fundamentally a creation story for the scientific age. An awe-inspiring introduction to cosmic evolution that makes the universe's story feel both intimate and infinite. (afterword)(Informational picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.