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CM . . . . Volume XVII Number 21. . . .February 4, 2011.
excerpt: An enchanting companionship is formed between young Ella and a friendly frog throughout Heather McLeod�s story, Kiss Me! (I�m a Prince!). McLeod describes the pursuit of a persistent frog in obtaining a kiss from his new friend Ella. The frog repeatedly �pucker[s] up his wide froggy lips and squeeze[s] shut his big froggy eyes� in order to achieve his desired transformation into a prince, but, regrettably, his desired princess, Ella, prefers the idea of playing hopscotch, Simon says, and swimming in the pond rather than living like royalty in the frog�s family palace. Once the frog gives Ella�s favourite outdoor activities a chance, McLeod describes the wonderful developing friendship between the frog and the young girl. As he participates in playful, or �unseemly,� activities, �[t]he frog was surprised at how much fun he was having. He even liked getting dirty.� And, as the story progresses, the frog unwinds from his rigid and royal character and becomes more open-minded to enjoyable and friendly outdoor play with Ella. A long-lasting friendship is established. Brooke Kerrigan provides a whimsical aesthetic feel to McLeod�s text, primarily, with soft hues of violet, green, and blue. The delicately illustrated pages of Kiss Me! (I�m a Prince!) provide a graceful touch to the enchanting tale of playful friendship told by McLeod. Most notably, Kiss Me! (I�m a Prince!) progressively represents the physical transformation of the frog into a young boy while, simultaneously, implicitly representing his interior change in character from persistent and pesky kiss requester into a warmhearted and friendly playtime companion of hopscotch and baseball. As the prince discovers the happiness of a true friend, he is able to �[play] happily ever after� with Ella (as he balances his homework responsibilities, of course). I would recommend this illustrated children�s book for school and public library collections because it tells the magical tale of friendship and reinforces the invaluable contentment produced from attaining a �true friend.� Recommended. Natalie Schembri, a Masters student living in London, ON, thinks everyone should play happily ever after.
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