Written by Amber A Novak
Illustrated by Maya Gonen
Price: £9.99 / $11.99
Pages: 32
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781805001508
Highlights
- An original picture book telling the true story of the Hula painted frog and its return from the brink of extinction
- A unique environmental story in which humans and the Hula painted frog both get a second chance, showing children that it’s not too late to make positive changes
- Unlike many other books about conservation, this has an uplifting message
- Can be used as a STEM classroom guide on the frog life cycle, habitats, climate change and environmental conservation topics
- Raises awareness about the vulnerability of amphibians, which face extinction globally – amphibians are the most threatened vertebrate class (according to a recent study, more than 40% of amphibian species could die out in the coming decades)
- Will help young readers learn about Israel’s history and ecosystems
- Written by a former outdoor educator who taught elementary-aged children in the redwood forests of California
- Playfully told from the perspective of one of the frogs, making this a fun and accessible read for young children
Description
This is a story of environmental hope.
It is a story of resilience.
It is a story of… a frog.
In the 1950s, measures to control malaria led to the destruction of the Hula painted frog’s unique marshy habitat along the River Jordan in Israel. Decades passed, and after trying many times to find the frog, scientists declared the species extinct. But in 2011, the frog leaped into the scientific spotlight when it reemerged in the waters of a small nature preserve. Against all the odds, the species had managed to survive, hidden from humans for more than fifty years in the grass and mud.
This delightful picture book tells the story of the frog’s miraculous return from the brink of extinction. Told from the perspective of one of the frogs, it is a heart-warming cautionary tale that will inspire children to care for and help protect the environment.
Amber A. Novak is a former outdoor educator from the redwood forests of California, where she taught elementary-aged children the ‘proper’ way to kiss a banana slug. Currently, she is a writer based in Austin, Texas, with a Bachelor of Science from Brown University and a Master’s in Journalism from the University of Texas, Austin. Her freelance writing and photography covering social justice, music, environmental issues, and human interest has appeared in numerous publications including The New York Times, The Austin American-Statesman, The Washington Post and The Times. She now writes children’s books on topics ranging from frogs to falafel. She is a Bread Loaf Writers Conference participant, a Wildacres Artist-in-Residence, a Highlights/PJ Library’s 2023 Picture Book Summer Camp emerging author, and a PB Party 2024 finalist.
Author Details
Amber A. Novak is a former outdoor educator from the redwood forests of California, where she taught elementary-aged children the ‘proper’ way to kiss a banana slug. Currently, she is a writer based in Austin, Texas, with a Bachelor of Science from Brown University and a Master’s in Journalism from the University of Texas, Austin. Her freelance writing and photography covering social justice, music, environmental issues, and human interest has appeared in numerous publications including The New York Times, The Austin American-Statesman, The Washington Post and The Times. She now writes children’s books on topics ranging from frogs to falafel. She is a Bread Loaf Writers Conference participant, a Wildacres Artist-in-Residence, a Highlights/PJ Library’s 2023 Picture Book Summer Camp emerging author, and a PB Party 2024 finalist.
Reviews
‘The Hula Painted Frog tells the true and remarkable story of a tiny amphibian once believed to be extinct. Set in Israel’s Lake Hula region, the picture book introduces young readers to the Hula painted frog, a small black and brown frog with white spots that blends seamlessly into its marshy environment. Told in simple, rhythmic language—often just two or three sentences per page—the narrative unfolds with catchy phrases like “jumpy-jump, hoppy-hop,” creating an engaging and accessible entry point for early readers. The story follows the frog’s disappearance after humans altered the wetlands to control malaria and expand farmland, and its astonishing reemergence more than fifty years later. Novak’s decision to write in the second person is particularly effective. Addressing the reader directly, “This is the story of who you are,” invites children to step into the frog’s experience, fostering empathy and active participation. The tone remains gentle and hopeful, even when addressing environmental destruction. Humans are not portrayed as villains; rather, the text acknowledges their needs for food, water, and health, while showing how unintended consequences can affect entire ecosystems. This balanced approach encourages thoughtful discussion about environmental responsibility and coexistence. Maya Gonen’s illustrations are rich and immersive, painted in shades of green, yellow, blue, and purple that vividly reflect the wetlands of the Hula Valley. The frog’s markings echo the painted landscapes, reinforcing the connection between creature and habitat. Marshes, mosquitoes, stinky mud, and roaring machines are all depicted with warmth rather than menace. Children of different skin tones appear throughout, reinforcing the book’s universal message. There is also a subtle parallel that some readers may note between the frog’s return and themes of resilience and return central to Jewish history, though this is never made explicit. The back matter greatly enhances the book’s educational value. “The History of the Hula Painted Frog” explains how the species was declared extinct in 1996 and rediscovered in 2011, now classified as critically endangered. “Froggy Facts” offers child-friendly science: the frog’s Hebrew name, nocturnal habits, and its distinction as the first amphibian ever declared extinct and then rediscovered. Together, these sections support learning about conservation, ecosystems, and endangered species. The Hula Painted Frog is highly recommended for public and school libraries, as well as Jewish libraries, where its blend of environmental education, Israeli history, and hopeful storytelling will resonate with a wide range of readers.’ — Mimi Leyton, AJL News and Reviews
Reviews
‘”Our boggy-froggy home was gone.” Was there ever a more memorable sentence in a picture book? The Hula Painted Frog by Amber Novak, with oustanding wildlife illustrations by Maya Gonen, offers a jaunty, pond perspective on life in Israel’s Hula Valley and a thought-to-be extinct frog that was rediscovered. We hear it from the frog’s own mouht. Is it a parable for the survival of the Jewish people A paean to the Zionist pioneers. It certainly holds a powerful eco-message. Age two to six. Riveting.’ — Angela Kiverstein, The Jewish Chronicle