Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra by Cassy Polimeni and Hykie Breeze

Life is a tad tough for Ella right now - her family has just moved house and, as she unpacks, she's finding it hard to let go of her old room and its familiarity, particularly her BFF Viv living next door. No matter how hard her dad tries to make things fun, the constant rain and mess are really getting her down. So when the rain does stop, she takes the opportunity to go outside into the fresh air and open space.

Outside the garden seems full of promise for the future, but when she hears a strange crick-crick sound it's seems the future is near. What could be making that noise? Bending down, by her gumboot she sees a tiny frog, no bigger than her thumb and it seems to be wanting her to follow it. And so she does - and finds herself in the midst of something so special she is entranced. For in front of her is an abandoned, overgrown pond full of an amazing variety of frogs, all calling to each other and creating her private frog orchestra.

But when she starts at her new school, Ella learns that protecting the local frogs is a major focus of her classmates and she discovers so much more about the species as her new friend Mai shows her the school's frog bog. With her new knowledge and respect, Ella is devastated to discover her neighbour's yard being dig up and her frogs have disappeared...

This is a new series for newly independent readers that not only has characters that they will resonate with - so many will recognise the anxiety and other emotions that come with moving house and starting a new school - but which also has an original storyline that offers new insight into a common curriculum focus. Who knew that frogs have a homing instinct that means they can find their way home because they know just where they belong?

As well as being one of the most common species investigated when it comes to learning about life cycles, frogs are also an indicator species, demonstrating that the local environment is healthy, although sadly, in Australia alone, there are more than 40 species listed as endangered or vulnerable. Thus, building awareness of their importance through an engaging story, including instructions for building their own frog pond in their backyard, young students can begin to appreciate that while Ella's frog orchestra may be the turning point in her new life, they have a critical role in the bigger picture.

An excellent story to springboard to greater investigations.

Themes: Frogs, Ponds, Friendship, Environment.

Barbara Braxton