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An action-packed children's book that teaches the power of friendship through entertaining text and vibrant, humorous illustrations.
When Little Joe’s froggy friend Hopper invites him over for a nice bowl of fly soup, they embark on Little Joe’s first-ever adventure through the wilderness! There, he’ll meet lots of woodland creatures and even make a surprising friend. But will a sudden rainstorm put a damper on their plans, or will it only make exploring the forest even more fun?
This amusing animal story will delight young readers of all ages! It can teach children clever problem-solving, show how small acts of kindness can help you make unexpected friends, and instill in them the priceless treasure of curiosity. Entertaining for both kids and parents, it makes a fantastic bedtime story and a fun tale for elementary schoolers venturing into longer picture books.
Little Joe is a curious dog living his best doggie life with Anna and her parents. One morning, as the sun was warming the day, Little Joe's friend, Hopper, came for a visit. Hopper was a green bullfrog with two large hind legs, a crooked smile, and two giant eyes sitting on top of his head. The duo differed in many aspects, but that didn't matter; they were still the best of friends.
Today, Hopper was there to invite Little Joe over for fly soup. Little Joe wasn't keen on the meal choice, but he loved hanging out with his pal, so off he went. Since Little Joe had never been to Hopper's home, the frog gave directions. The drawing of the bullfrog riding on top of the canine's back, holding onto the collar, much like a person holding onto the reins of a horse, was adorable! I also liked the images featuring the frog walking and running using only his two hind legs.
As the day's weather changes from clear skies to torrential downpour, the friends are faced with rising waters and encounters with forest dwellers. One wild animal saw the frog as an appetizer and the dog as the main dish! (No spoilers) After you read the book and discovery the hungry animal’s identity, I think you’ll agree with me that Hopper’s knees had every reason to tremble in fear.
Little Joe and the Big Rain is an action-packed children's book that teaches powerful lessons. For one, it's not safe to wander far from home. You never know the danger(s) you might face. Luckily for Hopper and Little Joe, they made it back home safely. Second, acts of kindness can help you make unexpected friends. For Hopper, their random act of kindness led to a new friend and off their new friend's menu. Thirdly, pay it forward. Meaning, when someone does something nice for you, do something nice for another person. Pass the kindness and good vibes on! Lastly, friends do not have to look alike or have all the same interests or food preferences. Take Hopper and Little Joe, for instance. They weren’t the same species, did not enjoy eating the same flavored soups, but they still accepted each other and had each other’s backs 100%. They are good friend role models!
Little Joe and the Big Rain had issues where the illustrations didn't match the descriptive text. Prime examples are the bear's home and the white-tailed deer's tail color. For the second one, the author stated the tail stood up, showing like a bright white flag. The deer's tail was brown, with a tan center in the image. The text is also difficult to see clearly on the pages with the illustrations. Words should POP, especially when it comes to young, independent readers.
With a few tweaks, Little Joe and the Big Rain has the potential to be a 5-star read. Due to the remarks above, I am scoring it a 3.5, rounding it to four.
Reviewed by
I've been constructing reviews for over a decade and don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Most of the reviews will be featured on my blog (Kam's Place), Pinterest, Instagram, BlueSky, and Goodreads. Don't forget to tip your waitress! :D
Synopsis
When Little Joe’s froggy friend Hopper invites him over for a nice bowl of fly soup, they embark on Little Joe’s first-ever adventure through the wilderness! There, he’ll meet lots of woodland creatures and even make a surprising friend. But will a sudden rainstorm put a damper on their plans, or will it only make exploring the forest even more fun?
This amusing animal story will delight young readers of all ages! It can teach children clever problem-solving, show how small acts of kindness can help you make unexpected friends, and instill in them the priceless treasure of curiosity. Entertaining for both kids and parents, it makes a fantastic bedtime story and a fun tale for elementary schoolers venturing into longer picture books.
About the author
Mike Darcy is strange, a true creative. A storyteller, kitchen experimenter, avid outdoorsman, community activist, game designer, and devoted to family. Mike loves a good story. When he isn’t creating, you can find him wandering New England or climbing one of the high peaks of the Northeast. view profile
Published on March 17, 2025
3000 words
Genre: Picture Books
Reviewed by
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