The Frog Who Lost His Underpants by Juliette MacIver

Ill. by Cat Chapman. Walker, 2013. ISBN: 9781921977893.
Recommended for 4-6 year olds. Subjects: Frogs - Fiction, Underwear, Stories in rhyme, Jungles, Problem Solving.
Juliette MacIver's rhyming picture is an adaptation of a favourite children's action rhyme Round and round the garden, like a teddy bear. The teddy bear is walking through the jungle kicking up the lakka leaves when he meets an orange-spotted jungle frog. The small frog ask Teddy for help he needs to find his stolen underpants to regain his dignity. Their search takes them deep in the jungle and they encounter little chimpanzee and Mr. Elephant who join in the hunt for the missing item of clothing. The resolution to the problem with the clever use of jungle materials will be enjoyed by the young reader.
Cat Chapman's busy paintings fill the double page spreads, with the rich green jungle background and the funny antics of the jungle animals in the foreground. The frogs fighting over the underpants is a fun close-up showing a range of emotions from happy to determined.
Juliette's rhyming text is fun to read aloud and students soon pick up the pattern and join in. There are some tricky words like dignity and distraught that are great words for discussion.
A Teacher's Guide is available .
Rhyllis Bignell