Himmelman threads a faint plotline through clean-lined close-ups of finely-drawn flora and fauna in this introduction to bog life: a leaping frog disturbs two mosquitoes, one of whom lands on a horsetail while the other imprudently selects a carnovorous sundew. A dragonfly also perched on the horsetail spots a butterfly on a steeplebush flower; a muskrat tramples the steeplebush flower and a mole cricket scrambles out of the way and so on. The line of text running beneath each scene names only some of the plants and animals depicted, but the author identifies them all at the end, inviting readers to go back for second looks. Satisfying fare for budding naturalists.
-- Kirkus Reviews, January 2004

Himmelman, author, illustrator, and naturalist, brings children into the unique environment of a bog, showing it teeming with life. The close-up begins as a frog hops from a fern to some moss, causing two mossquitoes to fly away. One of the mosquitoes lands on a sundew plant, which promptly ingests the bug. And so it goes, as chance encounters lead toward nourishment, hunger, or even death. Mostly, the animals (including one particular mammal, a human girl with binoculars) simply eye one another. There's no real narrative, just a series of events from the natural world. But children, who have an innate interest in flora and fauna (especially the creepy-crawly kind), should find this captivating, due in great measure to the delicate yet energetic ink-and-watercolor art. The close-up views and the simple field guide at the end of the book provide lots to look at; adults and kids can have fun together using this as a jumping-off place for outdoor activities.
-- Booklist, February 2004

Himmelman leads children through natural events that occur on a typical day in a bog, beginning with a frog hopping into some moss. Simple sentences describe what is happening in the colorful art, reinforcing what is likely evident to children: "The frog hops from a fern and lands with a plop in the moss. Two mosquitoes fly away. One mosquito lands on a sundew. The sundew curls around it." Throughout, readers are introduced to plant, insect, and animal names that may not be commonly known and the idea that some events trigger others. Some classification lessons are included at the end of the book. The watercolor illustrations are definitely a draw: the effect is soft and delicate. Detail is beautifully rendered, and elements of the pictures often spill outside the boundaries of the frames. Back pages offer labeled pictures of plants and animals for closer inspection. This book will have broad appeal and would be suitable for sharing with a small group in a classroom setting.
-- School Library Journal, March 2004

# Frog in a Bog, by John Himmelman, is a wonderful read-aloud book. The boldly colored drawings and simple text are ideal for reading to groups of children, who are usually fascinated by creatures and plants in nature. This elegant little story starts with a frog that hops onto some moss in a bog. The cascading events initiated by the small frog's jump affect more than 15 residents of a North American bog, plus a visiting human being. The charming story comes full circle when the frog gets a meal at the end of the series of random, but interlocking, occurrences.

Although the story contains only 11 (double-paged) drawings, each is filled with a myriad of the living things in an ordinary bog. Any child, and even an adult, will feel compelled to roam over each drawing to take in all the shapes and colors that leap off the page. These drawings that overrun their frames are designed to entice the curious. To satisfy that curiosity, the last 10 pages of the book collect into four categories (amphibians, birds, mammals, and plants) the individual drawings, with names, of each living thing presented in the story, so that the reader can look back to find the drawing inside the story. The effect is almost like a scientific "Where's Waldo?" type of puzzle.

This story-game activity is an entertaining experience--always a good idea when one is teaching beginning science to children. Finally, for children who want to learn more, several book titles and the addresses of some Web sites are listed for further study. This book is a great addition to any children's library, at home, in school, or in the community.
-- Science Books & Films, July 2004

Have you ever spent an overnight camping in a bog with a seven- and eight-year-old? If you haven't, you might not know that bogs are wet, squishy, noisy, and slightly inaccessible to most people. Bogs are also divine places to appreciate nature. They are full of interesting sights and sounds, from the carnivorous plants to spring peepers. (If you go, just remember your insect repellent; there are more than two mosqitoes in a bog.)

More than just a story for young readers, Frog in a Bog is a true-to-life book about the insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and plants that can be found in a bog. It is also a cause-and-effect story about life, instinct, survival, and death in this rapidly disappearing environment. The details of the story illustrate the dynamic interactions of animals and plants. For example, when a frog hops off a fern, two mosquitoes move, setting up a series of events for the reader to follow.
Although the book's main audience is younger readers who can manage the simple sentences, it also has a "Where's Waldo?" quality. The reader can look onto the next page to find out where the animal from the previous page landed. At the end of the book there are lists of the different categories of life seen throughout he book. Frog in a Bog would be a great story for those lucky enough to live near a wild, wet, and wonderful bog of a place, or for those who are willing to take on a new adventure and visit one. A bog visit with young children is a great adventure, but don't forget to bring along a copy of this book.
-- NSTA Recommends, October 2004