PreS-Gr 2-Froggy is back. After reading a sign in school about a marching band contest and a "Big Prize!" he follows the suggestion of the music teacher to start one with his friends and compete against other schools. He remembers his dad's old saxophone in the attic and then he gets: "Max on drums-. Leah on triangle-. Emma on recorder-. And Hannah, her twin, on cymbals-." Frogilina doesn't play an instrument, but she can twirl a baton. The music teacher tells them the rules for marching bands: "Don't look left. Don't look right. And DON'T STOP FOR ANYTHING!" Finally, after three weeks of practicing, the big day arrives. Everyone is looking straight ahead, and not stopping for anything, until Frogilina tosses her baton-and misses-knocking Froggy down right in front of the judges' stand. Remkiewicz's vividly colorful and animated signature illustrations will produce the same results that all Froggy fans enjoy-giggles, laughter, and fun-whether the book is read aloud or independently. However, this is a slightly different protagonist: he's more focused and independent. These added dimensions are particularly evidenced in how he handles this mishap. Froggy is growing up. What a great transition for children to witness, even if he is green.-Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Like all of London's Froggy stories, this one is a charmer, but it lacks the tempo, funny little asides, and sight gags that percolate through his other adventures. Froggy's latest flap revolves around his participation in a marching-band contest. The story quickly becomes one-note song: "Don't look left. Don't look right. And DON'T STOP FOR ANYTHING!" So that is what Froggy and his pals practice: marching. Not much of a witty story can be built upon that foundation, though London strives hard and Remkiewicz's illustrations keep the atmosphere as endearing as possible. It's the finale that's a particular letdown, with the circumstances too obvious and too forced in their cheeriness, and the artwork failing to capture the scant energy of the text. One of the great pleasures of the Froggy stories is their original approach to life's unavoidable misadventures; another is the comic timing between the illustrations and the incidents being described by the text. Neither one appears with much success—forget about the usual dazzle—in this work. (Picture book. 3-6)

When Froggy and his friends form a group for the marching band contest, their music teacher helps them with their marching: "Don't look left. Don't look right. AND DON'T STOP FOR ANYTHING!" So when Frogilina's baton hits Froggy on the head during the competition, he gets up and continues playing. The simple, fast-paced story and energetic cartoon illustrations will please Froggy fans.