The little corroboree frog by Tracey Hutton-Ramirez

Ill. by Angela Ramirez. Magabala Books, 2013. ISBN 978 1 921248 81 8.
(Age: 6+) Recommended. Picture book. Environment. Aboriginal themes. A lovely story of the critically endangered corroboree frog will bring information to those who read the tale in a simple and direct way. The story is of two frogs leaving their eggs near the edge of the riverbank, ready to hatch when the rains come down. But the pond begins to dry up, and so they seek the advice of Grandmother Frog. She tells them of what is happening in their environment with climate change making it hotter and drier, and with people leaving their rubbish on the edges of the ponds making it difficult for the tadpoles to survive and hatch.  When a young boy and his father come to the riverbank, the frog jumps onto his shoulder, showing him what is happening to its eggs and the environment the eggs are in. The boy realises the frog's predicament and calls to his father to help clean up the mess that has been left behind, being careful not to drive too close to the edge of the river, so destroying the frogs' habitat.
A double page of information follows which will educate, intrigue and delight the readers. Addresses of the major conservation groups is also included to enable teachers and students to find more information. All in all a most satisfying look at conservation at a grass roots level for younger readers.
The publication of this little book is beautiful, with its clear, bold and bright water colour illustrations, and lovely child friendly sized print. It is always a pleasure to hold and read books with a clear audience in mind, where thought has gone into not just the teacher or parent but the child picking up the book in the library, classroom or at home. No one reading this book would be in any doubt about the markings of the Corroboree Frog.
Fran Knight