This spirited, contemporary retelling of the classic fairy tale features a hilarious Southwestern spin.
Reba Jo loves riding all over the wild prairie and roping any critter unlucky enough to cross her path. But when the spunky cowgirl finds herself in a mess of trouble, she's forced to strike a deal with a horned toad-he'll save her hide, but only if she grants him three wishes. Reba Jo tries her darnedest to weasel out of her part of the bargain, but the clever horned toad won't let her off the hook. In the end, she learns an important lesson that a promise is a promise and that words once spoken are not easily taken back.
Author Jackie Mims Hopkins's sizzling Southwestern retelling of the classic fairy tale "The Frog Prince" is enhanced by the Spanish vocabulary sprinkled throughout the text, and is complemented by Michael Austin's vibrant, distinctive illustrations, which colorfully transport young readers to the untamed, dusty prairie.
"The unusual perspectives and broad humor of Austin's over-the-top airbrush illustrations in shades of violet and gold capture Reba Jo's comical disgust as she tries to wiggle out of her unpalatable bargain as well as the ugly toad's insouciant charm as he connives his way free from his curse. Is marriage in store for our plucky heroine and the handsome caballero she frees with her kiss? The deliciously surprising double-twist ending leaves readers free to decide for themselves." ?Publishers Weekly
"An entertaining version of 'The Frog Prince' with a Texas twist.... Airbrushed luminous artwork is reminiscent of the work of Berkeley Breathed in its exaggeration and energy; the perspective, with various slants and angles, makes each illustration a treat. The characters, bursting from their confinement within the frames, will evoke smiles." ?School Library Journal
"The story of the frog prince gets a sassy update and a brand new southwestern setting.... This is fun and thorough. Hopkins' telling sizzles with southwestern panache, complete with Spanish words interspersed in the text. Austin... uses an exaggerated styles that will make kids grimace and giggle at the same time. Fractured fun at its best." ?Booklist
"Hopkins' retelling has a fast pace and colloquial style that will pull in both listeners and readers.... There is a sly cleverness to the toad that adds both humor and tension to the plot, and Reba Jo is a spunky antidote to the passive princess stereotype.... Readers-aloud and listeners who have a hankering for the Wild West are going to bust their britches when they get a look at Reba Jo and her heroic toad." ?The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
The Original Art ?Society of Illustrators 2000
Storytelling World Resource Awards (honor, Stories for Young Listeners) ?Storytelling World magazine 2001
Willa Award (Best Children's Literature) ?Women Writing the West 2001
Texas 2x2 Reading List ?Texas Library Association 2001
Best Bets for the Classroom (traditional literature) ?Virginia Center for the Book 2002
Land of Enchantment Book Awards (Master List) ?New Mexico Library Association, New Mexico Council of IRA 2002-2003
Mockingbird Award (nominee) ?Abilene Independent School District 1999-2000
Virginia Young Readers Program (nominee) ?Virginia State Reading Association 2001-2002
Georgia Children's Picture Storybook Award (nominee) ?University of Georgia 2002-2003
Show Me Readers Award (nominee) ?Missouri Association of School Librarians 2003
Michael Austin, a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, is a creative director and the illustrator of several books. He lives in Georgia.
Updates Available: Updates Available: Update available for Picture Gallery Module