Tadpoles

Filled with brightly coloured images and swift changes of subject, Tadpoles feels like you’re seeing the world through the eyes of a child: from frogs, to spring rains, to recess time, to abandoned pianos, to divorced parents, to tadpoles. The stream of consciousness style feels refreshing but too rushed for a short book like Tadpoles, making it hard to focus on any single topic, like how fun it is to watch the tadpoles or the feeling of being a child of divorce. Nevertheless, Tadpoles is an enjoyable read that would be appreciated by a wide range of kids.

Author and illustrator Matt James’ use of mixed media includes: acrylic, gouache, ink, cut paper, and photographs, in collage techniques deployed on masonite and/or cardboard. The results are fun, brightly coloured pages with splashes of water dotted everywhere, as if the book had been taken to the pond under the rain as well.

In addition, Tadpoles’ endpapers include scientific notes about frogs and ephemeral ponds, as well as a note from the author about his own childhood experiences with frogs and tadpoles, and even a short list of additional recommended reads on the topic.