Frog

Fear can be paralysing, particularly if you are the only one who feels it. Joe's family are all keen swimmers and they laugh at his attempts. But it is Joe who rescues a frightened frog from the pool when his family has bungled the job and, in so doing, learns something from the frog's swimming technique. By helping the frog, Joe conquers his own fears, and the last picture of him steaming across the pool in frog-like mode is triumph indeed. Firm, simple illustrations in natural colours combine with a text that often flows in wavy, water-like lines amongst the pictures, creating a strong sense of movement.