Frogs

Children's Literature

If you quietly visit a lakeshore or pond you might catch a glimpse of a common yet unique occurrence. An insect flying peacefully in search of food may venture near a lily pad. Seated unseen upon that lily leaf is a patient little hunter. Quicker than the human eye can grasp, a pinkish tongue jets forth and snatches the insect from the sky. In a split second this diminutive predator-prey drama has unfolded in this lavishly illustrated science book. Existing in over 3500 forms and over 200 million years old as a species, frogs are one of the most successful amphibians on the planet. Relying upon variety and diversity to survive through the ages, frogs come in a host of forms. The massive cane toad may be as long ten inches in length and is an aggressive predator. Poison dart frogs of South America are brightly colored and secrete toxins so powerful that the mere touch of their skin can kill a person. Conversely, the spring peeper tree frog is vocal but so shy that it is rarely seen. Sadly, as we move into the twenty-first century, many types of frogs are becoming endangered. Over the past decade a number of previously common frog species have seemingly disappeared. In other cases, frogs have been identified with strange mutations and deformities. Are these sad alterations the result of environmental pollution, ultra-violet rays let through the atmosphere due to ozone layer depletion, or simply a natural progression toward generalized extinction? The author of this comprehensive study of frogs notes that this decline of frog species is an ecological warning. Can we as a species prosper in a global environment that seemingly is in decline? Only time will tell for both frogs and other lifeforms. 2001, Benchmark Books. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck