Five bloggers -- librarians and literacy experts -- are working together to show what the Common Core means for school libraries in real life. We are choosing high-interest subjects and looking at how we can support elementary students as they read increasingly complex texts around a subject. We want to provide both stimulating read-alouds, especially for young students, and just-right books of increasing complexity.

1. From Tadpole to Frog (Scholastic Reader Level 1)
by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld, photographs by Dwight R. Kuhn
Scholastic, 2001 -- ISBN: 978-0545273374
This early reader takes children on the journey of the life cycle of the frog from eggs in the pond
through the transformation into tadpoles and on to maturity. Key vocabulary words are
highlighted in the text and also contained in a glossary at the end of the book.
FROGS: a collection of books increasing in text
complexity
Youngest readers (PreK - 1st
grade):
Rounds: Franklin Frog: A book app
by Barry and Emma Tranter
developed by Nosy Crow, 2012
Readers meet Franklin the Frog, his mate and eventually their offspring, in this engaging
book app about life cycles. The app provides readers with enough prompts to keep the
story moving, but also allows children to explore, making Franklin jump and swim. The
balance between the text and interaction with the book was well thought through.
99 Frogs Wake Up
by Ken Kimura, illustrated by Yasunari Murakami
North South Books, 2013 -- ISBN: 978-0735841086
It’s spring and Mother Frog pops out of the mud. Time to awaken her brood. But when
you have 999 kids, the accounting can be difficult. The mystery is solved when sleepy-
headed big brother finally emerges. This picture book would well for creating interest in
nonfiction concepts such as hibernation, habitats, and life cycles.
Transitioning readers (grades 1-3)
Frogs! (National Geographic Kids Readers Level 1)
by Elizabeth Carney
National Geographic, 2009 -- ISBN: 978-1426303920
Featuring informative and engaging text written for younger students, this book also has
a mix of vocabulary text boxes, fun facts, and even a touch of humor. Different sections
focus on their habitat, sounds, diet and more, creating high interest through layout,
design, photographs and text.
The Common Core IRL: In Real Libraries has been developed by: Mary Ann Scheuer (Great Kid Books), Travis Jonker (100 Scope Notes),
Alyson Beecher (Kid Lit Frenzy), and Cathy Potter & Louise Capizzo (The Nonfiction Detectives) -- May 2013

2. Read alouds (grades 1-4):
Frog Song
by Brenda Guiberson, illustrated by Gennady Spirin
Henry Holt / Macmillan, 2013 -- ISBN: 978-0805092547
This gorgeous picture book explores eleven different frog species from around the world. Each
spread focuses on a different species, with a wonderful illustration and an engaging description.
Guiberson uses descriptive text to hook readers, making this work well as a read aloud.
Hip-Pocket Papa
by Sandra Markle, illustrated by Alan Marks
Charlesbridge, 2010 -- ISBN: 978-1570917080
Set in an Australian rain forest, readers follow this tiny frog as it watches over and protects its
eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the male scoops the tadpoles up and keeps them safe in hip pockets
until they have turned into froglets. The text is both poetic and fascinating. Markle uses long
sentences with complex vocabulary to paint a picture with her words.
Middle grade readers (grades 3-
4):Frogs
by Gail Gibbons
Holiday House, 1993 -- ISBN: 978-0823411344
Gail Gibbons clearly explains how frog spawn changes to embryos, then to tadpoles, young
frogs, and finally, mature amphibians. Short sentences are easy to read, and yet the text
provides plenty of details to fascinate young readers. The illustrations are closely connected
with the text, providing clear explanations for the main ideas.
Tell Me the Difference Between a Frog and a Toad
by Leigh Rockwood
PowerKids Press, 2013 -- ISBN: 978-1448897308
Rockwood addresses a slightly older audience, beginning right away with an explanation of the
scientific classification of frogs and toads. You'll notice that the sentences are longer and the
vocabulary is more complex. Kids will be drawn in by the colorful, sharply focused photographs
of many frogs and toads.
The Frog Scientist
by Pamela S. Turner, photographs by Andy Comins
Houghton Mifflin, 2009 -- ISBN: 978-0547576985
Readers are introduced to Dr. Tyrone Hayes, a charismatic biology professor, as he and his
students catch leopard frogs. Tyrone is an amphibian expert testing his theory about how
atrazine (a pesticide) affects the development of frogs. Throughout the book, readers are asked
to think like scientists as Tyrone searches for answers to how pesticides affect frogs and toads.
Upper elementary grade readers (grades
4-7)
The Mystery of Darwin’s Frog
by Marty Crump, illustrations by Steve Jenkins and Edel Rodriguez
Boyds Mill Press, 2013 -- ISBN: 978-1590788646
Did you know there is one frog where the male swallows the tadpoles and keeps them inside his
vocal sac until they come crawling out, fully developed? Crump describes in straightforward
language the scientists’ journey, starting with Charles Darwin aboard the Beagle, uncovering the
mystery of the Rhinoderma darwinni.