Leap Back Home to Me: A Reassuring Read

Last week my 7-year-old's elementary school held a Scholastic book fair, and I managed to sneak away from work a few times to help out. I've finally come to terms with the fact that I don't have as much time for volunteering at the school as I'd like, but I've also realized that no matter how hard I try, I can't keep myself away from huge piles of fabulous children's books!

So I spent hours restocking shelves, helping kindergartners write wish lists, answering lots of questions, and counting coins to see if first and second graders had enough money to buy their favorite books. And whenever I had a few free minutes, I spent them browsing in my favorite section of the book fair...the picture books. Among the many treasures I discovered there was Leap Back Home to Me by Lauren Thompson (author) and Matthew Cordell (illustrator).

Throughout the book, a young frog explores the world around him by doing what all frogs do best--leaping! He leaps over daisies, over a creek, over a rocky hilltop, and even over some splashing beavers. The illustrations show him leaping enthusiastically (even upside down on one page) with joy and abandon. 

Leap frog over the ladybug.

Leap frog over the bee. 

Leap frog over the tickly clover, 

Then leap back home to me!

Despite how much fun the little frog seems to be having, at the end of each stanza he always ends up leaping back home to his mother. And his mother is always there, ready to shower him with affection. In one spread, she is waiting with a table full of paper and crayons. In another, she is waiting with a book of "frog time stories" to read. And in still another, she is waiting with what looks to be a warm meal and a pitcher of milk. I know I would certainly feel missed and appreciated if I came home to any one of those things! 

I'm somewhat disappointed that the rhyme in the last stanza of the book is a little off (pairing "please" with "be"), but that's really the only complaint I have, and I can't say that it changes my overall opinion of the book. I would characterize it as simple, quiet, and reassuring, perhaps especially appropriate for a young child going off to day care or to school for the first time.

One of the reasons I find the book so comforting is that while most picture books are written from a child's perspective or from the perspective of a third person, this one is actually written from the perspective of the mother. And it works!

I suppose I would also have to say that Leap Back Home to Me would be a good choice for a preschool or early elementary school Scholastic book fair, since that's where I ended up buying my copy. Can't wait to see what I find at the fair next year!