Just So Stories

Harper Collins

April 2025

• ISBN: 9781460716427
• ISBN 10: 1460716426
• Imprint: HarperCollins
• RRP: $8.99

Everybody’s favourite famous frogs are back – leaping into action with all the finesse of the fit and feisty ‘phibians that they are. This small, but dedicated, army of frogs – drawn from all over the world [and by Shiloh Gordon] are hopping with excitement to not only meet the famous ocean explorer Professor Goldie Leapfrog, but to be able to ‘lend a flipper’ on her latest mission of discovery.

This batrachian of highest regard and world-wide fame (after all, she’s discovered a real mermaid, Atlantis AND an island shaped like poop!) has a top-secret plan to discover the remains of the mysterious shipwreck Frog De Lar Mar, with a fabled treasure onboard.

The world’s largest natural pearl was stolen by pirate Captain Froggy Longbottom [no relation to Neville, I understand], but shortly after the theft the ship foundered after a nasty collision with some pointy rocks. The Professor’s latest invention will be a big help in this venture. The technology called FrogVision will enable her to see all the way to the ocean floor.

It was inspired by the amazing eyes-on-stems of mantis shrimp [as it happens, we saw mantis shrimp just yesterday whilst buying prawns for our dinner from Morgan’s, Redcliffe – *this is not a paid placement*] and had another good look at their clever eyes [though they weren’t looking back at us – RIP shrimp].

The squad are charged with monitoring the Professor and her craft, the Sea Pickle, but when they lose her signal, they fear the worst. And given the shipwreck lies within the Bermuda Triangle, the worst could be pretty darned bad indeed.

It’s action stations for the team and they spring into action. It comes as no surprise to anyone that TOADs are responsible for the apparent disappearance of the Professor. What’s with all those ping pong balls floating in the water? And will the Squad be successful in their rescue of the world’s greatest ocean explorer? Will they be able to get out of the unexpected quicksand? [nobody expects the quicksand!] More than that, will the great pearl and national treasure be restored to its rightful place?

All the answers to these and other questions, such as did Tony really eat a ping pong ball, can be found on the latest stream of FrogFlix – or by reading the book of course! It’s another ribbiting adventure that your froglets will eat up as quickly as a frog catching flies. Thanks Kate & Jol for your Kermit-ment to providing our kiddos with some hoppy times and lots of punny croaks! It gets another 🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸 from me for your able readers from around 6 years upwards.