Little Tad Grows Up

This book allows students to see the stages of a frog’s life cycle. It would also opportunities for students to discuss noticing’s and relate themselves to the frog. Students could also predict what would happen next in the story.

• Author: Giuliano Ferri
• Year Published: 2007
• ISBN: 978-0-698-40060-3

Science Topics

• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• Prekindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 3rd Grade

Summary

This book takes the reader on a journey though a tadpole lifecycle into a frog. He experiences changes and begins to feel unsure about what is happening to him. He realizes that growing up is not a bad thing and is a part of life. It shows the stages of a frogs lifecycle with corresponding pictures.

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: High
• Authority: Medium
• Accuracy: Medium
• Liteary Artistry: High
• Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

This book allows students to see the stages of a frog’s life cycle. It would also opportunities for students to discuss noticing’s and relate themselves to the frog. Students could also predict what would happen next in the story.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

Students could ask questions about the frog’s lifecycle and they would be answered in the book through the text and pictures. Students can see the frog progress from being a child frog to an adult/grown frog.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This book allows students to infer and see for their selves the changes a frog goes though during their lifecycle. Students can think about what happens next or why that happened to a frog in their lifecycle and connect their prior knowledge about frogs to the books content. They will be able to think for their selves and form their own ideas and predictions.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

Yes, the book shows and discusses the stage a frog goes though during their life cycle. It does not blatantly say the stages, but they are implied by the serious of images and text. The stages are appropriate to the overall lesson of the book, which is the lifecycle of a frog and that growing up is not so bad.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

The content is based on scientific principals. It shows the eggs that mother frogs lay and relates them to grapes. It talks about how they take a while to hatch and when they do they are tadpoles. Then the tadpoles tail shortens, they grow to legs and then two more. It does not talk about the time length of each stage in the process, but it does include most of the basic stages of a frog lifecycle.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

The book does not state what is actually fact and what is fiction, but it is sort of implied. The animals can talk in the book, which is fiction. The lifecycle of a frog shown in the book is fact, except some key components are left out. For example, the length of each stage, and some in-between stages.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are cartoon like, bright, colorful and accurate. The show the different changes a frog go though during their lifecycle. For example an egg, tadpole, tail shortening, growing arms, growing legs and etc.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

In my second grade classroom I think that most of the student would be able to read this book. They might have a little trouble with some words, but I think that if I went over them before reading they would be able to pronounce them and understand what they mean. For the students who are lower they might need some guidance and assistance.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

There is not really much of a multicultural component to this book. Since it is about the lifecycle of a frog I am not sure how to include a multicultural component. The book if free from stereotyping. The only contains animals like frogs, snakes and lizards.

Is the book free from gender bias?

Yes, the book is free from gender bias. The main character is a boy frog, but there is also a mother and an aunt. Both of the sexes can be found in this book.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

The book mainly only discusses the concept of science and the lifecycle of a frog. The author could have tied in other disciplines like ELA by comparing certain parts of the book to other fictional stories. For example, when the snake was telling the frog to come close so he could tell him a helpful secret, but he really just wanted to eat him this is similar to the little gingerbread man when the fox offered to help the gingerbread man across the river, but he really just wanted to eat him.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

This book would get students excited and keep them engaged when learning about the lifecycle of a frog. It is always helpful to have photos/images of each stage to compare them and see how they are similar and different. This book shows a positive attitude towards science. Students could also relate to this book because they are growing. Their legs, arms, fingers, toes, neck are getting longer and larger.