Max Velthuijs (1923–2005)

Originally published in Dutch as Kikker en de vreemdeling, this fourth entry in acclaimed artist and author Max Velthuijs' Frog series explores the ugliness of prejudice, presenting a believable tale about a stranger, and the divisions his coming creates, in the small community in which he settles. When Rat arrives on the scene, camping out by the river, Frog is intrigued, but Pig and Duck are both dismayed. As "everyone knows," they claim, rats are dirty thieves. Although Hare - the wise show more one of the bunch, to whom the others usually go for advice and answers - declares that Rat has as much right to be there as any of them, Pig and Duck continue in their hostility, and resent Frog's efforts to befriend the newcomer. What will it take for that porcine/anatine duo to relent...?

A tale which emphasizes the sheer unreasoning stupidity of prejudice, its impervious resistance to reality - although Pig and Duck's arguments about Rat are demonstrably false, they cannot be convinced of their error, even by the evidence of their own eyes - Frog and the Stranger has an immensely poignant quality to it. Of the four Frog stories I have read thus far, I think that it is my favorite, and while the resolution of Pig and Duck's campaign against Rat felt a little too convenient to me, I thought Velthuijs' depiction of their initial bias was spot on. Highly recommended, for anyone looking for picture-books addressing themes of diversity and tolerance, as well as to fans of Velthuijs' charming artwork. show less

Originally published in the Netherlands as Kiker is verliefd, this charming picture-book is the first in Dutch author/artist Max Velthuijs' acclaimed Frog series, and follows its eponymous ranine hero as he discovers the pleasure and pain of love. Feeling rather odd, and distinctly uncomfortable, Frog isn't sure just what the trouble is, until his friend Hare diagnoses the problem: he's in love! After the first euphoria of this discovery, Frog sets out to discover just who he is love with, show more and, that done, how he might woo her...

There is an understated humor to this story that I found immensely appealing: Frog's enthusiasm, when Hare diagnoses his 'condition,' and then his search for an object for his affections, really had me chuckling. Frog's courtship of Duck was endearing - all the more so, given his shyness, when it came to actually declaring himself - and the conclusion of the tale, which highlights the fact that love can flourish across all kinds of difference (of color, of species), was most welcome. The artwork, with its bright colors and simple composition, was very appealing. All in all, a lovely start to another froggie series - one better known in Europe, I suspect, than here in the states.

NOTE: The English translation of Kiker is verliefd, done by Anthea Bell, was published in the USA the same year as the original (1989), and then reprinted in this miniature British edition in 2003. I have compared the two editions (I own the miniature edition from Andersen Press, and took the Farrar Strauss Giroux edition out of my local library), and found them to be almost identical. The text was arranged somewhat differently on the page, in the miniature edition, due to space constraints, but there was only one actual change in text, toward the end of the book. When Frog crashes to the ground, and Duck comes to his rescue, the full-sized edition reads: "Frog could hardly walk. Supporting him carefully, she took him home with her. She nursed him with tender loving care." This has been changed, in the miniature edition, to "Frog could hardly walk. Duck took him home with her and nursed him." I have no idea why this one sentence (and no other) was changed... show less

Frog experiences significant difficulties in adjusting to his first winter in this third entry in Max Velthuijs' Frog series, originally published in Dutch as Kikker in de kou. Waking up one cold morning, our ranine hero wanders out into the white landscape, becoming ever more distressed and disoriented. His friends, who are all better suited to this environment, fail to grasp the depth of his trouble at first, but, having discovered him collapsed in the snow, bring him home and nurse him show more back to health...

Like the first two Frog books - Frog in Love and Frog and the Birdsong - this charming picture-book explores an important issue in a non-didactic way, offering a gentle and reassuring take on a significant problem. Sometimes, we just don't listen to one another, and through that omission, we fail to grasp the gravity of a situation. This latter is particularly true of children, who may not understand all the dangers around them. Frog In Winter sees Pig, Duck and Hare making that mistake, initially, by failing to appreciate just how distressed Frog is, when it comes to the cold weather, but also sees them putting their error right, and helping to come up with a solution to the problem. With an engaging narrative, and sweetly adorable illustrations - Velthuijs' artwork has really been growing on me, as I read through more of his books! - this is a title I would recommend to young readers who have difficult adjusting to a particular season, or who have been ill. show less

Celebrated Dutch children's author and artist Max Velthuijs, who was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Award for his illustrations, in 2004, returns to the world of his ranine hero in this second installment of his Frog series, originally published as Kikker en het vogeltje. When Frog comes across the still, cold body of a blackbird in the clearing, he isn't sure what to make of it, consulting with his friends Pig (who thinks the bird is asleep) and Duck (who imagines that he is ill), show more before Hare clears up the mystery, and reveals the truth: the bird has died. Answering Frog's question - "Dead... What's that?" - as best he can, Hare organizes his friends into a burial detail. But although the four companions mourn the loss of the blackbird, with his lovely song, they are still alive, and life is beautiful...

A gentle introduction to the sometimes thorny topic of death, for very young children, Frog and the Birdsong doesn't attempt to offer any definitive answers - death is something that happens to everyone, Hare informs the friends, but that is about as detailed as it gets - concentrating instead on the experiences of those left behind, from their discovery of their loss, through the rituals attached to caring for the dead, and the aftermath of the funeral, in which life (and even joy) reassert themselves. I think this approach provides comfort and reassurance, in an oblique, non-didactic way. When paired with Velthuijs' lovely artwork, the result is a book well worth reading, for young children (and their care-givers) who are confronting mortality for the first time. show less