Publishers Weekly
In Froggy and friends' latest adventure, they enter a marching band contest, and Miss Martin's rules are clear: "Don't look left/ Don't look right/ And Don't stop for Anything!" So when they reach the reviewing stand, the obedient hero gets bonked in the head by Frogilina's falling baton in Froggy Plays in the Band by Jonathan London, illus. by Frank Remkiewicz. ( Feb.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
School Library Journal
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.
Kirkus Reviews
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)
JUN/JUL 04 - AudioFile
Froggy is ba-a-a-a-ck! This time it’s the school band that will never quite be the same. There’s a prize to win, and Froggy is determined to be there. He practices on his father’s saxophone and memorizes the rules for marching. And, as Jonathan London has shown in his other Froggy books, Froggy surprises and brings smiles to all. John McDonough is a fine choice for narrator. He clearly enjoys his role as the persistent and incorrigible frog. McDonough leaves time for the signature flopping of Froggy's feet and stretches out Froggy's whines and exclamations. His gruff croaks exude friendliness. A.R. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine
