Tad; by Benji Davies

Abstract

Reviewed by: Tad; by Benji Davies Natalie Berglind Davies, Benji Tad; written and illus. by Benji Davies. Harper, 2020 [32p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780062563590 $17.99 Reviewed from galleys R 3-6 yrs Tad is the runt of the tadpoles, “so small that she had to wiggle her tail twice as fast as any of the others just to keep up.” She’s most at risk for being eaten by Big Blub, a “great, big, nasty fish” that lurks in the mud and eats tadpoles. As her siblings grow legs and lose their tails and hop away, Tad is scared of being left alone, but when she’s chased by Big Blub, she jumps out of the water with her new legs and joins the rest of her family. This UK import is notable for its attractive art, as Davies paints the underwater world in vibrant blues and greens that capture its ecosystem; shaded foliage lends depth to the background of each page. The tadpoles are adorable, even when they’re just one big eye and a little tail, and they only get cuter as they grow into multicolored frogs. This readaloud would be a good storytime pick, as it’s sure to elicit a room full of shrieks at Big Blub’s appearance; kids who feel like they’re falling behind their peers or feel like the odd one out as the youngest sibling may also relate to Tad’s growing pains. Copyright © 2020 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois