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Freddy the Frogcaster and the Huge Hurricane

Author: Janice Dean
Publisher: Regnery Kids • 2015 • 40 pages

** Exclusive CBC Author Interview with Janice Dean ** 

When hurricanes strike, everyone is affected. The roaring wind and treacherous rain are dangers that the whole population – even animals – must face. For children, this is difficult to understand, and explaining exactly what is happening and how to be prepared can be a formidable task. That’s why Freddy the Frogcaster is here to help! Janice Dean’s informative frog, Freddy, captivates audiences by bringing weather education to life. In her third installment of Freddy adventures, Freddy the Frogcaster and the Huge Hurricane, Dean brings the science of hurricanes to young readers in a lively and relatable way.

Freddy is just like any other frog: he goes to school, he loves to surf, and he cheers with his classmates when summer finally arrives. Still, Freddy is different from other frogs in one way: he loves the weather! In fact, Freddy works at the Frog News Network with reporters bringing local news to all the frogs in the community. When he’s not doing chores at home he is reading monitors, and interpreting storm images. Freddy, Polly Woggins, and Sally Croaker work together in the weather studio watching storms and making sure no harm comes to the city of Lilypad.

It was a beautiful day outside with clear skies and a slight breeze when Freddy and Sally discovered that a hurricane was heading their way. They immediately hopped into action, issuing warnings to the community telling citizens to be safe and prepared! When the storm arrives, Freddy must help keep the people safe by watching the progress of the storm and updating the weather graphics. When a reporter is forced to find shelter from the storm, Freddy must conquer his greatest fear and report the news LIVE on the air! His bravery and vast knowledge of storms helps keep the community safe and informed.

Young readers will be delighted by Janice Dean’s charming prose and creative characters. The content flows beautifully and one can’t help but smile at Freddy’s “frogisms” and spritely personality. Dean informs and entertains as she drops a stream of facts about hurricanes and the weather in simple and translatable terms that kids of all ages will enjoy. All of this, paired with Russel Cox’s hilarious illustrations, is a recipe for wide smiles and unbridled laughter from readers and their parents.

At the end of the book, Janice Dean adds several pages chock-full of the hurricane knowledge. From hurricane names to safety prep, this added bonus is a great way to teach kids more about the science of weather as well as the dangers of hurricanes. Parents might even learn something new too! Freddy the Frogcaster and the Huge Hurricane succeeds in knowledge and entertainment, but also teaches kids important lessons about the support of family and conquering your fears. There can be no doubt that – with Freddy on the watch — we can all be safe and prepared when the storms hit.

 

CBC original review by Megan Polston

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