Ribbit! by Rodrigo Folgueira (review)

A group of frogs are surprised to find a small, pink pig perched in their pond, and even more surprised when the pig exclaims, “Ribbit!” “‘WHAT did he say?’ cried the frogs. ‘This pig is confused!’ ‘Does he think he’s a frog?’ ‘Is he making fun of us?’” The frogs work themselves into a frenzy over their visitor and decide, along with the rest of the local fauna, to go consult the wise old beetle, who suggests that the pig just wants to make new friends. Chastened by this thought, the frogs and other animals cheerfully join the pig a bit later when they spy him “tweeting” in a nearby tree. Although the story is rather slight, the hospitality message is a good one and the dialogue is pithily droll: “‘Why would a pig want to be a frog?’ said the parrot. ‘And what is wrong with being a frog, may we ask?’ exclaimed the frogs.” Bernatene’s illustrations are boldly composed, with the amiable pig often featured front and center or to one side, while the slender-limbed frogs loll disgruntledly about the edges. The bright pink porker offers a pleasing contrast to the more natural green, brown, gray, and blue tones brushily applied to the subtly textured background of the pond-area animals and the surrounding landscape. The crabby-looking frogs (especially the one with wonky eyeballs and permanently protruding tongue) are particularly funny in their pop-eyed disbelief. Kids will be amused by the pig’s unusual vocalizations, and this could easily hop its way into either frog- or pig-themed storytimes.