Godfrey is a Frog

By Author / Illustrator
Alex Latimer
Genre
Funny Stories
Age range(s)
3+
Publisher
OUP Children's Books
ISBN
9780192789006
Format
Paperback / softback
Published
04-07-2024
Synopsis
Godfrey used to be an egg, then he was a tadpole. Now, Godfrey is a frog. He changed quickly and it was all very exciting. He's waiting for the next change . . . but it seems there isn't one.
Is this it? Godfrey thinks. It's not very exciting. Bear has wonderful claws, Deer has impressive antlers, Heron has majestic wings. Godfrey buries himself in the mud and hides away from the world. He doesn't want to be just a frog.
Can Brinley the minnow, Radcliffe the snail, and Penelope the shrimp convince Godfrey that a frog is a pretty special thing to be?
Find out more from author and illustrator Alex Latimer
Reviews
Wendy
At first I thought that Godfrey is a Frog was a beautifully illustrated science book, but was bemused by the life-cycle process of Godfrey growing from an egg to a frog being completed by page four. What it actually is, is so much better (although reminding children that the process of evolution is always mind-blowing is a great start to a story).
Poor Godfrey emerges on page four as a fully grown frog, but nobody has told him this, and the rest of the story is about him waiting for the next change to happen to him, which is fairly reasonable given the quick change from egg, to tadpole to froglet to frog. Godfrey looks at all the other wondrous things his friends are equipped with; claws, antlers, wings, antennae.... and slowly sinks, quite literally, into depression as he realises his evolution is complete and he's just a frog.
As he's sulking in the mud at the bottom of the pond, Godfrey is gently reminded by his friends that his gifts are amazing - long powerful legs to hop with, arms to grip and swim with, and an incredibly weird long, sticky tongue. It's at this point that Godfrey realises that he has all he needs and no more changes are necessary. He accepts his body and is proud of all the amazing things it can do for him. He also realises that his friends helped him by highlighting all his good points and he returns the favour by complementing their special gifts.
So, rather than another life-cycle book, this heartwarming story is so much more; it's about acceptance, feeling confident in your skin and recognising that you are different from everyone else - but that we have all been given something special. It's perfect for a 'Good to be Me' assembly or a unit of work about recognising and complementing each other's special traits.
The book concludes with the life-cycle drawing of all Godfrey's stages of transformation but includes a lovely addition. 'Godfrey is a frog' is accompanied by the picture of depressed Godfrey. It's then followed by 'Godfrey is a FROG!' and a picture of him leaping into the sky with a smile on his face - truly the last stage of evolution.....when we accept ourselves as being perfectly imperfect and happy with what we were given. Thanks, Godfrey, we all need to be reminded of this.
Picture book / Reviewed by Wendy Kelly, teacher
Suggested Reading Age 5+
Maria
Oh Godfrey! This wonderful story tells the tale of Godfrey as he changes from an egg into a frog and develops eyes, legs, arms and a tongue. He enjoys each of these changes and waits patiently for the next change. He waits. And waits. And waits. Nothing else appears to change - no moustache, no magic horn and no super strong muscles.
Compared to the other animals, Godfrey feels boring and uncool so he sinks to the bottom of the pond to hide. Whilst down there, he meets pond creatures who wish they were more like him. Will this be enough to give Godfrey the confidence boost that will aid him in enjoying being a frog?
The brilliantly clear and bold illustrations add enormously to the story’s context and support the reader in their understanding of events, as well as the character's feelings and emotions. Godfrey is a Frog is a brilliant story for exploring empathy and a great resource to use to support the PSHE curriculum, as well as science life cycles, habitats and how animals are adapted to their environment.
Picture book / Reviewed by Maria Faithorn, teacher
Suggested Reading Age 3+