'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Friday, 1 December 2023

Review: The Frog Bank: Nature's Alarm

A wonderful compendium on all things froggish, The Frog Book – Nature’s Alarm has a huge, iconic green tree frog smiling out from the cover. 

Inside is information on just HOW the frog is nature’s alarm, along with an array of fun facts and interesting anecdotes that will likely leave you croaking for more.

What animal can eat and drink through its skin, jump up to 20 times its height and taste with its eye?  

Yes, the not-so-humble frog! And did you know that in captivity, frogs can live for up to 20 years? 

Or, that frogs don’t drink water but absorb it through their skin? And that frogs are colour-blind? You do now.

The information in this book is comprehensive and engaging, while the picture book format makes the content accessible to readers of all abilities. 

With blocks of text, fun facts found in illustrated leaves on the page, and eye-popping photographs (almost as alarming as the description of a frog swallowing a snake), this book is genuinely for everyone.

It has specific sections on Australian and New Zealand native frogs, and information on huge and tiny frogs the world over. It describes the differences between frogs and toads, and shows you what makes poisonous frogs stand out to other creatures. It covers climate change, making your own frog-bog in the backyard, and ways to support frogs in urban areas. In short, it’s endlessly fascinating!

A bumper resource that will no doubt become a favourite for both school projects and reading for pleasure. With amazing photographs (I cannot unsee those internal organs of the frog with see-through skin!) and comprehensive explanations in cheerful language, it’s a must-have for every school and home library.


Title: The Frog Book – Nature’s Alarm
Author: Sue Lawson
Illustrator: Guy Holt
Publisher: Wild Dog, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 June 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781742036571
For ages: 8 +
Type: Non-fiction