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FOR THE WEE ONES | FROG'S RAINY DAY STORY & OTHER FABLES BY MICHAEL JAMES DOWLING


What is Frog to do when the letters he is using to write a story rebel and begin marching off the page? What choices will Gander make when his plans for the day are disrupted by an invitation from the king?

Learn about these and other amusing adventures in Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables, a delightfully entertaining and attractively illustrated book of eight fables that whimsically contrasts the wisdom of today’s world with the wisdom of God’s Word. Created by husband and wife team Michael James Dowling (author) and Sarah Buell Dowling (illustrator), this full color, 72-page, hardcover book will warm hearts and tickle minds. The entire family will want to read this delightful volume together again and again. Children will love the entertaining and instructive stories, embellished by more than forty colorful illustrations. Adults will chuckle as they see many of their own behaviors mirrored in the insightful tales. Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables makes a great gift and coffee table book. It is sure to stimulate lively discussions about how some of the predominate themes of our current culture contrast with a Christian worldview. A complementary “Burrowing Deeper” study guide with thought-provoking questions about each fable is available as a free download from www.FrogsRainyDayStory.com . This is an ideal learning resource for personal reflection, family devotions, home school studies, Christian school and church Sunday school classes, and small group discussions.


★★★1/2
Written by Michael James Dowling and illustrated by his wife, award-winning artist Sarah Buell Dowling, Frog's Rainy Day Story brings together a collection of eight quick fable-style tales for little ones. Designed for the 2nd-3rd grade reading level, these little fables feature warm, lovable woodland characters living in cozy, sweet habitats (sometimes humanized). 




Through the events these characters experience, it's intended that these stories also teach young readers strong Christian values. Each fable closes with a "Wisdom of the World" quote (words from various famous names) and a "Wisdom of the Word" bit of relevant scripture. 




Outside of the text itself, the Dowlings also offer an additional "Burrowing Deeper" teaching guide, offered at the book's website. 

While the illustrations were lovely (and somewhat reminiscent of the artwork from editions of The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame), I didn't always feel that the stories were always nailing the messages they were trying to convey. Sometimes the exact opposite, actually. Such as the story with Turtle --- merely believing in himself is considered "puffing himself up"? Could read a little confusing for a kid, especially when the very next story has Owl pitching, "Think positive thoughts, set happiness as your goal."



But regardless, there is a likeability for this book on sheer cuteness factor alone. My favorite was the story of Miss Hen's Boyfriends.




FTC DISCLAIMER: Bookcrash.com and Carpenter's Son Publishing kindly provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions above are entirely my own.
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