Frog (picture books) facts for kids
Frog (called Kikker in Dutch) is a famous character from picture books. He was created by a talented Dutch writer and artist named Max Velthuijs.
The very first Frog book in English came out in 1989. It was called Frog In Love. These books have become super popular! They have been translated into more than 50 different languages. That's a lot of languages for one little frog!
Meet Frog and His Friends
In his home country, the Netherlands, Frog is known as Kikker. He is a much-loved character there. Frog lives in a special world with his friends: Pig, Duck, and Hare. In this world, animals act and think like humans. This is called anthropomorphic.
Frog and his friends are all the same size. This means everyone is equal and no one is more important than anyone else. Each friend has their own unique personality and special skills. Frog often looks at everyday things with a childlike wonder. This helps young readers understand how to get along with others.
What Frog's Stories Teach
The Frog books are not just fun to read. They also help kids understand important feelings and situations. Frog and his friends enjoy life, but they also face real-life challenges. These can include feelings like fear, love, sadness, and even loss.
The books make these tricky topics easier for children to understand. The best part is that every book ends with a positive solution. This shows that even when things are tough, there's always a way to work things out.
Frog's Impact and Awards
The Frog books are important around the world. In Britain, the book Frog Is A Hero was even part of the school curriculum. This means students learned from Frog's adventures in their classes.
Max Velthuijs, the creator of Frog, received a very important award in 2004. It was the Hans Christian Andersen Medal. This award is given to authors and illustrators for their lasting contributions to children's literature. He won it for the amazing pictures in his Frog books.
Max Velthuijs passed away in 2005. But his stories and characters live on. As Carmen Diana Dearden once said, "he will always sing his lovely songs through his books." Just like in the book Frog and the Birdsong, his work continues to bring joy and lessons to children everywhere.
