From Tadpole to Frog (Scholastic Reader Level 1)by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld, photographs by Dwight R. KuhnScholastic, 2001 -- ISBN: 978-0545273374This early reader takes children on the journey of the life cycle of the frog from eggs in the pondthrough the transformation into tadpoles and on to maturity. Key vocabulary words arehighlighted 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 appby Barry and Emma Tranterdeveloped by Nosy Crow, 2012Readers meet Franklin the Frog, his mate and eventually their offspring, in this engagingbook app about life cycles. The app provides readers with enough prompts to keep thestory moving, but also allows children to explore, making Franklin jump and swim. Thebalance between the text and interaction with the book was well thought through.

99 Frogs Wake Upby Ken Kimura, illustrated by Yasunari MurakamiNorth South Books, 2013 -- ISBN: 978-0735841086It’s spring and Mother Frog pops out of the mud. Time to awaken her brood. But whenyou 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 innonfiction concepts such as hibernation, habitats, and life cycles.

Transitioning readers (grades 1-3)

Frogs! (National Geographic Kids Readers Level 1)by Elizabeth CarneyNational Geographic, 2009 -- ISBN: 978-1426303920Featuring informative and engaging text written for younger students, this book also hasa mix of vocabulary text boxes, fun facts, and even a touch of humor. Different sectionsfocus 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

Read alouds (grades 1-4):Frog Songby Brenda Guiberson, illustrated by Gennady SpirinHenry Holt / Macmillan, 2013 -- ISBN: 978-0805092547This gorgeous picture book explores eleven different frog species from around the world. Eachspread 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 Papaby Sandra Markle, illustrated by Alan MarksCharlesbridge, 2010 -- ISBN: 978-1570917080Set in an Australian rain forest, readers follow this tiny frog as it watches over and protects itseggs. Once the eggs hatch, the male scoops the tadpoles up and keeps them safe in hip pocketsuntil they have turned into froglets. The text is both poetic and fascinating. Markle uses longsentences with complex vocabulary to paint a picture with her words.

Middle grade readers (grades 3-4):Frogsby Gail GibbonsHoliday House, 1993 -- ISBN: 978-0823411344Gail Gibbons clearly explains how frog spawn changes to embryos, then to tadpoles, youngfrogs, and finally, mature amphibians. Short sentences are easy to read, and yet the textprovides plenty of details to fascinate young readers. The illustrations are closely connectedwith the text, providing clear explanations for the main ideas.

Tell Me the Difference Between a Frog and a Toadby Leigh RockwoodPowerKids Press, 2013 -- ISBN: 978-1448897308Rockwood addresses a slightly older audience, beginning right away with an explanation of thescientific classification of frogs and toads. You'll notice that the sentences are longer and thevocabulary is more complex. Kids will be drawn in by the colorful, sharply focused photographsof many frogs and toads.

The Frog Scientistby Pamela S. Turner, photographs by Andy CominsHoughton Mifflin, 2009 -- ISBN: 978-0547576985Readers are introduced to Dr. Tyrone Hayes, a charismatic biology professor, as he and hisstudents 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 thinklike scientists as Tyrone searches for answers to how pesticides affect frogs and toads.

Upper elementary grade readers (grades 4-7)

The Mystery of Darwinʼs Frogby Marty Crump, illustrations by Steve Jenkins and Edel RodriguezBoyds Mill Press, 2013 -- ISBN: 978-1590788646Did you know there is one frog where the male swallows the tadpoles and keeps them inside hisvocal sac until they come crawling out, fully developed? Crump describes in straightforwardlanguage the scientists’ journey, starting with Charles Darwin aboard the Beagle, uncovering themystery of the Rhinoderma darwinni.