Tadpole's Promise

Tadpole's Promise
by: Jeanne Willis
Illustrated by: Tony Ross
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books
Language: English
ISBN: 0689865244
Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
Price: (without shipping) $15.95 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

Ok, this is a Bccb Blue ribbon winner. So is William Bee's "Whatever". I can only say that based on these two choices that the Bccb is headed in a more "edgy" direction.

Where I liked "Whatever" as a child's book, although the child in the book gets devoured by a tiger, because there is a positive message (don't treat people badly or it may come back to haunt you), "Tadpole" has no positive message other than "look I can make a funny book". It is funny. It is not, however, remotely appropriate for a children's book.

If there is a message in this book it is this, "people should not become close to those not in their own race". Not exactly the message I want to send to my kids.

You can not even use the, this is really an adult comedy/picture book, argument since after two pages I realized where we were going to end up.

Is it twisted, yes. Funny, sure (once). Worth buying, no. Show it to your kids, I think not.

Message:
[Parents] Get it from the library, read it, chuckle and move on.
[Kids] Not for you.
[Teacher WARNING] Not Appropriate.

Content: 2/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Concept: 2/5
Quality: 5/5
Price: 2/5