The Frog with the Big Mouth

Plot Summary

In the rainforest, where Argentina meets Brazil, a frog with a very big mouth catches an enormous fly. Impressed with himself, he sets out along the path to find someone else to amaze. “I’ve eaten the biggest FLY in the whole world!” he brags. “Don’t you wish you were ME?”

The Frog with the Big Mouth brags to a toucan, a coati, and a capybara. (None of whom have eaten enormous flies--too bad!) And then, wanting to brag just a little longer, he comes across a large speckled creature with sharp teeth--it’s a jaguar. Guess what jaguars like to eat?

Teresa Bateman’s comical retelling, accompanied by Will Terry’s vibrant artwork, will leave children asking for more. A note contains additional information about the South American rainforest animals in the story. Versions of this story appear all over the world, but the real big-mouthed frogs, nicknamed Pacman frogs, live in South America. The author lives in Washington State. The illustrator lives in Utah.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K-2.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,10

Awards

A 2001 Parents' Choice Fiction Approved Winner

Reviews

"Thick foliage in vibrant greens creates a lush setting, while exaggerated and energetic depictions of some of the rainforest's lesser-known animals add to the merriment. The author offers more information about these colorful characters (e.g., the popular nickname of this story's hero is the Pacman frog) in a concluding note. A big hit for storytime." Kirkus Reviews

"The locale here, the South American rain forest, refreshes the familiar story...The Frog with the Big Mouth brims with personality as he suspends from a tiny vine or leaps from a tree branch. This is an inventive version of a long-favored tale." School Library Journal

"This delightful funny retelling will have chidren joining in on the refrain as they anxiously await frog's comeuppance for his bragging. The lush rainforest comes to life in Terry's full-page paintings, hich convey the whimsy of the tale. The close-ups of the larger animals bring a wonderful sense of scale and perspective. This is a delightful read-aloud that is perfectly suited to storytelling."
Children's Literature

Associated Keywords
tale, folktale, retold, retelling, south america, rainforest, animal, animals, storytelling