The Frog Princess | E.D. Baker
Siobhan's Book Rating (out of 5): 
May / June 2007 – About a week ago, we went to the bookstore – I earn a new book for every Review I do for SayItCornell.com. It took me a long time to choose this book, but when I found it, I knew it was the book: The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker.
I am so excited to do this report, I thought really hard about what I was going to tell you!
There are many characters in the adventure story but only two I want to describe: Princess Emerelda (Emma) and Prince Eadric (Eadric). Emma flees to the nearby creek, her favourite and safe place. Clumsy and not very princess-like, her mom thinks that Prince Jeorge-the-brat will be a good husband match for Emma, her only possible match! Crying afterwards at the creek that day, an enchanted frog gets her attention – rudely at first but then he managed to convince Emma that he was Prince Eadric, transformed by a mean witch a long time ago for being rude. Where have we heard that before? Emma would have to kiss him to reverse the spell. It wasn't easy since she was disgusted by the leftover fly legs that were still hanging out of his mouth... but finally she did after she wiped them away.
Since the story is called The Frog Princess, it isn't a surprise that something happens to Emma and she becomes a frog herself. So then I don't mind you reading this little bit from the book because I am not really ruining it anyway:
I opened my eyes and blinked. My head felt woozy; nothing came into focus. Gradually my vision sharpened, but everything looked different somehow. The colours seemed brighter and there were more of them. An enormous butterfly flew past, its wings see-sawing up and down through the air. It wore beautiful reds and shades of purple that I ever saw before.
"Oh!" I said aloud, and flinched at the timbre of my own voice. It sounded strange to my ears and talking made my throat feel funny. A pair of webbed feet and long muscular legs stretched out in front of me. Puzzled, I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them to look again. The legs were attached to a short, plump body covered with mottled green skin. My brain refused to acknowledge what my eyes told me. I lifted me hand and wiggled my fingers. Four green, crooked fingers twitched suddenly. I understood: I wasn't looking at some other creature. I was looking at myself!
Had the Prince Frog tricked her? Eadric had been a frog for a long time – was it all a trick? Was this really better than marrying Prince Jeorge? Those problems didn't seem so important anymore. Frogs have many predators and Emma had to learn to stay alive! Together with Eadric, they go on a journey to get transformed back into humans but Emma has to learn to be a frog first – act like a frog and eat delicious flies like one too. Eeeeewwww!
I really like this book, mostly for the funny transformations and magic. My mom read this book too and she said she wants to read the next one from E.D. Baker with me! It's a good story for moms and daughters, for fun!
It was nice to see Siobhan lunge for this book that day – that excitement I hadn't seen in several weeks so a few of my worries have somewhat subsided for now. I did read Baker's The Frog Princess so that Siobhan and I could have something fun to talk about. Aside from the cover being pink (my favourite colour), I was enticed by the title and became curious about its 'inevitable' kiss. I had wondered if it was appropriate for her age...
The only way I was going to find out was to read the material myself. At first, I thought to scan through and pick up the highlights for our book discussions but then I found myself truly enjoying the story. Baker's writing is energetic and interesting, pushing me to read the next chapter each time a chapter ended – it was really good.
Many conversations with Siobhan became the result from this book and I am thankful that we were able to build on our special bond. And, to answer that obvious question burning in your mind, the kiss(es) were no more graphic than that of Prince Charming kissing Snow White to awaken her. For fun, this book is highly recommended. Read Siobhan's Review for the Sequel of The Frog Princess, Dragon's Breath >>
Book Review by Siobhan, age 8
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