Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Froggy Went a Courtin’
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 6
Candlewick, 2004 ISBN: 978-0763623067
It begins with Froggy going to court Miss Mousie, a delicate little white mouse damsel who clearly loves her frog suitor but must first get Uncle Rat’s permission before she can marry. This Uncle Rat gives, after he ascertains certain details about the wedding.
Next we move on to the wedding itself and what a celebration it is. The bride and groom look lovely, guests of all kinds arrive bearing gifts and dressed in their best, there is a feast to be eaten, and dancing to follow.
Finally there is the honeymoon, spent in France, and our last glimpse of the happy couple is the two of them sitting at a café table with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
This ballad has been popular for over four hundred years and though it has many versions it is essentially the same - charming, funny and timeless. Gillian Tyler has created artwork for this book which will delight older readers with its beauty and which will engross younger ones with its cunning details. Touches of gold, beautiful script, and wonderful little mini vignette’s make this book a real treasure. Here is a love story with a perfect ending which captures the magic and happiness found at such a time.
