Title: Our Many Adventures to Frog Island
Subtitle: 10 Adventures in One Book
Author: Beth Berger-Caldwell
Publisher: Studio of Books LLC
ISBN: 978-1-964864-71-6
Pages: 160
Genre: Children’s Book / Adventure
Reviewer: Gabriella Harrison
Hollywood Book Reviews
Our Many Adventure to Frog Island, by author Beth Berger-Caldwell is a vibrant and joyfully chaotic children’s book that follows a group of friends, Rana, Polli, Sunflower, and Daisy, on their search for the mythical Frog Island in what proves to be a long, winding adventure. It feels like the creation of a child’s imagination. In it, couches become mountains, lamp trees double as slides, and dragons hand out snacks and life advice. It is told in a series of short, punchy episodes with bright dialogue and endearing stillness.
At the beginning of the book, Rana has a dream which she believes is more than just a dream. She sees it as an urgent wake-up call and a mission. To her, it is a map which must be followed. She quickly gathers her crew for the impending adventure, and they spring into action with as much energy and enthusiasm as is typical to children while planning an afternoon adventure in a backyard. This will feel instantly familiar and relatable to children or anyone who has ever witnessed this occurrence. The tone is playful and there is no room for any dull moments. And the dialogue feels like it was pulled straight from a slumber party. (“Ok sounds good to me,” Polli says when they decide to count to eight instead of three. “One, two, three, four…”)
I appreciated the book’s steady pace, as it is befitting of a book meant to grab and hold young readers’ attention. And I loved the dramatic way everything was turned into something bigger and more creative, such as crossing a rope over a pretend lava valley, sliding down trees, meeting talking animals, etc. This reminded me of games I played often as a child in a way that will feel very familiar to many children. This book is the a perfect fit for younger readers with big imaginations and short attention spans. The book’s characters Donovan the Dragon, Allen the Lobster, Princess Trish the Penguin, and more, all of whom help them get a little closer to Frog Island are likeable.
The small moments of tenderness amid the silliness are heartwarming and memorable. Moments such as Sunflower’s fear of heights, Glitter’s worries about being judged, even the simple act of sharing cookies with new friends. They’re a gentle reminder that friendship, courage, and kindness matter. Personally, I loved the cute pictures of the characters being moved around the house to match the narration. It is undeniably adorable and enhances the story. Having a repetitive sequence of events is interesting. The girls meet a new character, ask for directions, are pointed to the next place, and repeat. For young readers, especially those just beginning to read chapter books, this predictability might be more comforting than dull.
Our Many Adventures to Frog Island by Beth Berger-Caldwell is sweet, silly, and full of personality. It reads like something dreamed up between couch cushions on a rainy afternoon, and that’s exactly its strength. This is a book for parents to read to their children while bonding or to simply encourage a reading habit in them. Blending imagination, nature, and teamwork, Our Many Adventures to Frog Island offers young readers ten vibrant stories full of curiosity. Each adventure encourages problem-solving, and friendship, and making this book great for libraries and family shelves alike.