A fun adventure that was a hit with my nine-year-old!What happens when Frederick, a champion fly-catcher, is confronted with a human? After all, humans are dangerous! And worse, this human is carrying a thing of troublesome, powerful magic. What if Frederick can’t get it to stop?This fast-paced chapter book will entice young readers to keep turning pages to find out what happens next. Connecting … happens next. Connecting with Frederick’s frog’s-eye-view reminds children to treat all creatures with respect and to be open to friendships with new or different people. Parents can use the story events as jumping-off points to talk with children about problem-solving and teamwork strategies as well as simply being kind.
The magic in this universe was delightfully unpredictable…. The best thing I could do was to relax and enjoy the ride, so that’s exactly what I did.
A middle grade chapter book, 16 chapters, approximately 18,000 words.
more
I loved the story of Frederick Fly-Catcher. I purchased multiple books for my family to enjoy. Children will delight in Frederick’s character and the world as he sees it. I was drawn into the story and the other family and friends he meets along the way. Enjoyable chapter read and some good messages too.
Life is pretty good for Frederick the frog. He’s known as a champion fly-catcher and each day is calm in the pond. He’s good at avoiding predators like the hawk and the fox while being around his friends and family. But when he hears horses, he dives into the pond. He blinks in astonishment at a pair of blue eyes staring back at him. Danger! It’s a human! The queen has warned him about humans and knows nothing good can come of it. Or can it? He accidentally swallows a human ‘thing’ and suddenly strange things start happening. He’s forced to leave the pond and he’s frightened. It’s only when he befriends Grace does he discover what an exciting place the world is and how important it is to have friends you can depend on, no matter if they’re different. Will he make it back to the pond or will he keep exploring with his friend, Grace?
Frederick Fly-Catcher is a delightful story I read in one sitting. Children of all ages will love this one for its adventure and for the animals that talk. Frederick is an appealing main character and children will connect with him right away. There’s plenty of lessons to be learned here but it’s told in a creative way. The plot moves at a fast pace with humorous dialogue to keep the reader engaged. The writing style reminds me of the Frog and Toad series of long ago. It’s a quick read and something I can see children reading over and over again. If you’re in the mood for a feel-good story you won’t be able to put down, pick up Frederick Fly-Catcher today. Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I’d review it.
My Rating: 5 stars
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you’re looking for a whimsical fantasy to give that special child for the holiday-this book is for you!
In disclosure, I am a friend of the author, Helen C Johannes. (This is her first children’s book but she’s an award-winning author of fantasy romances for adults.) And I received a complimentary review copy. But this is my honest review.
First of all, I loved that Frederick is such a REAL frog! So many little details about a frog’s life and world are interwoven into this intriguing story. And this creates a great contrast for the moment that magic enters Frederick’s life!
A human tears into the swamp chased by more humans. AND EVERYONE KNOWS THAT HUMANS ARE TROUBLE!~
Before Frederick can blink his big eyes, he’s carried away into the human world–a castle even!
Of course, there is an evil sorcerer. Doesn’t every castle have one? ‘-)
I’m not going to give away the plot. What fun would that leave for you and the child you give this to or read this to?
It’s available in ebook and print.
My final comment: Not every frog becomes a prince but Frederick is a prince among frogs! See if you and that favorite child don’t agree!
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, including small, green ones.
This was the first time I ever remember reading about a character who accidentally swallowed a magic ring. Small details like that one were what made Frederick’s adventures stand out to me. While they followed many of the rules about what should happen in a fantasy story, the ones they purposefully bent in order to surprise or delight the audience were what made this such a fun read. The author clearly knew this genre well, and it showed.
I would have liked to see more attention paid to the world building in this story, especially when it came to the characters and their backstories. There were some fascinating things going on with the other creatures Frederick met while he was on his quest to get the magic ring out of his throat and back to wherever it was supposed to go. The connections between everyone were briefly touched upon, but there was so much going on that it sure would have been helpful if those explanations had been a bit longer and more detailed.
The magic in this universe was delightfully unpredictable. At first I wondered what the rules governing it were, but I quickly realized that it wasn’t meant to figured out ahead of time. Anything could happen each time Frederick burped, coughed, or otherwise jostled it as it was lodged in his throat. The best thing I could do was to relax and enjoy the ride, so that’s exactly what I did.
Frederick Fly-Catcher should be read by anyone who is looking for a lighthearted adventure.