Little Frog

When Little Frog arrives unexpectedly from a meteor that falls through the roof, the frog family are delighted. How nice to have a new member! However, Little Frog soon proves to be quite the naughtiest frog imaginable – so naughty that coping with his antics proves almost impossible. He bakes the telephone, washes all the books in hot, soapy water, sets fire to the school counsellor’s hair, and pees in his briefcase. Mum and Dad frog are at their wits end and after they have shouted at Little Frog, he decides to leave home. After a long journey (during which his behaviour does not improve), he is found by the frog family and gathered lovingly to their collective bosom. He is their little frog, and they love him.

The theme of loving a naughty child is so universal as to be unremarkable, but this child’s behaviour is so extreme and bizarre that one must suspect there is more to the intention of the book than the usual scenario. Is this a fostered or adopted child whose behaviour causes real concern? Does the meeting with the counsellor, who is planning to phone a specialist (until Little Frog cuts the phone line), indicate serious worries? He does not seem to realise the mayhem he is causing – perhaps he is on the autistic spectrum. Whatever his problems are, his family love him, and we are told in the end that he becomes famous and all the naughty things he has done are put on display. Whatever the reasons behind the story, it can be enjoyed purely from its over-the-top humour and the wonderful detail in the illustrations. Translated from the Danish, this is a unique production.