Pollywog! Not a Frog by Maury Aaseng began as a song. "I did make up a little ditty that I would sing to my kids when they were real young," says the author and illustrator. "I was just trying to invent lyrics and rhymes as I went, and after a while I accidentally sang it in front of some family members that overheard it, and they thought it would make a cute little story."
The new picture book geared toward children ages 3-5 was made possible when Aaseng received support from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council. Aaseng is a long-time watercolor artist who brings a full cast of caricaturized frogs to his latest work. Along with the frogs is a pollywog swimming just under the surface contemplating its future.
In the back of the book, readers will find a key to all the different species of frogs that appear in the book - as well as a few non-frogs. And if a science lesson wasn't enough, the lyrical words in the book are coupled with a transcribed musical melody line.
Pollywog! Not a Frog can be found at Zenith Bookstore, The Bookstore at Fitger's, Foxes and Fireflies, and other area booksellers. Additionally, Aaseng will be at Barnes and Noble at Miller Hill Mall on Saturday, December 6th from 11am-2pm for a meet-and-greet author event.
Minnesota Reads is produced at The North 103.3 with funding provided in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
