Frog Went A-Courtin'

“Frong Went A-Courtin’”, as we’re told in the introduction by John Langstaff, is a story song that’s at least 400 years old. It traveled to America with English and Scottish immigrants and is now part of cutlure of the southern Appalachian mountains. In this silly tale, Frog goes to court Miss Mousie and what results is a hilarious wedding populated with the local fauna. The illustrations are in a simple color palette but beautifully drawn with much whimsical detail and feeling to add to the wedding story. The tune is simple and easy to learn, but very fun and lively to sing.

“Frong Went A-Courtin’”, as we’re told in the introduction by John Langstaff, is a story song that’s at least 400 years old. It traveled to America with English and Scottish immigrants and is now part of cutlure of the southern Appalachian mountains. In this silly tale, Frog goes to court Miss Mousie and what results is a hilarious wedding populated with the local fauna. The illustrations are in a simple color palette but beautifully drawn with much whimsical detail and feeling to add to the wedding story. The tune is simple and easy to learn, but very fun and lively to sing.

I absolutely love the style of illustrations in this book. All of the insect characters are drawn to perfection and have wonderful expressions on their faces. The book is based on an old song that was brought over to the US from Scotland. So basically it is part of oral tradition, it mentions int he book that the song was sung in Appalachia often. It has a shocking end which is illustrated with a giant cat scaring the entire wedding party, which always brings ahhhs and oooo's from the audience.

Based on an old traditional folk song, Ackerman tells the story of a frog who loved a mouse and was intent on marriage. This is a cooperative effort, with everyone bringing something to the celebration. Langstaff researched the tale back some 400 years to the original Scottish song, but relied most heavily on the version sung in various parts of America. The book includes the music notes at the end, so you can plunk it out on the piano (or guitar?) if you’ve never heard it sung.

Feodor Rojankovsky won a Caldecott medal for his illustrations. They are wonderfully detailed; even the tiniest flea is given a fully emotive depiction.

In this story Frog askes Mistress Mouse to marry him. At first she tells him that she can not without her Uncle Rat's consent. When Uncle Rat returns home he gives his consent and then all kinds of critters, from insects to other animals, help get everything together for their wedding. The last one to show up was the old tom cat who decides that he will put an end to everything. The book ends with everyone scurrying away and the frog and mouse going to France.

I really enjoyed the story and the way that the story read. It had such a rhythm to it that made it so fun to read. As an animal lover, I loved reading about the different animals in the story.

I could use this book in the classroom to help teach about children about rhyming. You show more could also use this story as a lesson on rythm. I think that you could also have children use their imagination and make a rhyming story of their own. show less

My mother used to sing this song. It was a delight to see so many verses. And the illustrations would tickle any kid, no matter how old (63).

Will give to the Littles.

Picture book (folk songs). This one has a happy ending (nobody gets eaten), Caldecott-winning illustrations, a brief history of the song (interesting and always appreciated) plus sheet music to learn one version of the melody--for another version, try Ruth Crawford Seeger's American Folksongs for Children, which has a much less happy ending.