<p>A little frog sings his song one night in the swamp by the light of the moon. It is very lonely singing by himself, and one voice doesn't carry far. Frog sets off in search of others to join his song, and eventually, he has formed a whole band to sing together in the swamp. <br />A gentle tale about companionship and music. <br />I love how this story could be taken at face value, or read on a deeper level. It could be about music, and how different instruments make a richer song. The different animals make different sounds, which could be used to explore complimentary rhythms. <br />This could also be a metaphor for companionship, and how different voices and opinions make a richer environment. We may look different, and sound different, and move to different rhythms, but that's what makes our world a rich and wonderful place. <br />The setting and characters share total <i>Princess And The Frog</i> vibes. Anyone who was in love with the swamp setting and the animal friendships in the Disney film will adore this beautiful picture book. The colours are rich but subtly mixed to bring the nighttime swamp to life. I adore the animals' expressions too. Their wide eyes and open mouths somehow convey huge amounts through apparently simple expressions.<br />Frann Preston-Gannon was the talent behind <i>I Am The Seed That Grew The Tree, </i>an anthology of poems about nature. Her style won my heart over for both showing the natural world and being accessible and attractive to very young children. <br />This is a winner both in the story and in illustration. Pick it up and join in the tune.</p>

Book Murmuration

<p>So perhaps Frann Preston-Gannon heard our plaintive (but quiet) cry, and perhaps it might have had a smidge of impact on the utterly delightful "In the Swamp by the Light of the Moon".<br /><br />Probably not though, because Frann is that rare thing, a picture book genius who consistently produces glowing, vibrant and absolutely essential books that are completely wonderful in every way.<br /><br />We were initially a bit 'down' about this one, but it's one of those books that feels familiar, yet surprises you with hidden depths once you begin to peel back the layers of the story to find the message at its heart. We read it quite a few times and definitely think there's a need in the children's book market for books that celebrate introverts and show them in a more positive light.<br /><br />"In the Swamp by the Light of the Moon" centres around a tiny frog who lives in a swamp. The frog loves nothing better than singing in the light of the moon - but each time Frog begins his song, he feels there's something essential missing.<br /><br />One by one, friends join in with his song and guitar playing - but there's still something not quite right. In the end, it takes the quietest but sweetest voice to complete Frog's song, and make it a tour de force, and utterly beautiful.<br /><br />Look at this book for a moment, take a moment to savour Frann's beautiful cover art, and rest assured that the rest of the book is equally beautiful as we're introduced to a cast of characters that all have their parts to play - but none more important than the humble and tiny firefly, who may not be as loud, brash and bombastic as others, but is still worth hearing and listening to.<br /><br />That's such a great lesson for kids to read and hear, that you don't have to be outspoken or a showy extrovert in order to be of importance to the world. Hear hear!<br /><br /><b>Sum this book up in a sentence:</b> The kind of story we've been clamouring for more of, a story that celebrates those individuals who have a clear but quiet voice and deserve as much attention as the loud showy ones.</p>

Read it Daddy

In The Swamp By the Light Of the Moon by Frann Preston-Gannon brings a whole menagerie of animals together in a moonlit chorus that lights up the night. It's a beautifully illustrated tale with a simple message - every voice counts.

Storytime