About the Book

Book Synopsis

From the acclaimed creative pair behind the award-winning nonfiction picture books Moth and Fox, Frog is a visually spectacular story of how life on Earth came to be.

If frogs come from eggs,
and eggs come from frogs,
where did the first frog come from?

A frog can tell the story of the universe. Because before there were frogs, before there were people and plants, and before there was the Earth itself, the universe started with a tiny speck and a bang. And from this single speck, the universe and all life came to be.

Isabel Thomas's lyrical text and Daniel Egnéus breathtaking illustrations transport readers through time and space, to the very moment the universe was created. Discover the incredible story of how frogs--and all life on Earth--began. A story is still being told--in every garden, every pond, and every corner of our extraordinary planet.

Frog: A Story of Life on Earth is an imaginative and educational introduction to the history of our universe, our planet, evolution, and the vast diversity of our planet.

Review Quotes

"Both scientifically grounded and dreamlike. . . . An awe-inspiring introduction to cosmic evolution that makes the universe's story feel both intimate and infinite." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"[An] outstanding title that takes a child's simple question and answers it seriously, with accessible, absorbing and wildly informative text accompanied by stunningly dynamic mixed media illustrations. . . . Rarely has evolutionary science been so accessible, gripping and exuberantly colorful as it is in Frog." --BookPage, starred review

"The third absorbing, flawless nonfiction picture book collaboration between author Isabel Thomas and illustrator Daniel Egnéus. . . . Thomas expertly distills massive ideas into tangible facts in a dynamic text. . . . The art is so inventive and nearly neon that it demands viewers' attention. . . . This clever, fascinating approach to evolution is told through the undeniably child-friendly lens of frogs." --Shelf Awareness, starred review

"An engaging introduction for curious children beginning to ask big questions. . . A thought-provoking blend of science and storytelling for picture-book collections." --Booklist

"A powerful work covering the big and small story of the creation of the universe, this is an excellent addition to a classroom library with accessible language and illustrations that speak to both younger and older learners." --School Library Journal

"From its striking silver-plated cover on, this is a stunner. . . A gorgeous blend of text and illustrations and a wonderfully successful introduction to nonfiction for younger readers." --Booklist, starred review, on MOTH

"Gorgeous mixed-media illustrations . . . Thomas deftly builds an easily understandable explanation of natural selection into the well-paced narrative." --Horn Book Magazine, starred review, on MOTH

"A strikingly illustrated story of survival and adaptation." --Foreword Reviews, starred review on MOTH

"This superb book, with its message of hope, is a standout." --School Library Connection, starred review on MOTH

"Layered mixed media art gives the illustrations an almost three-dimensional quality that draws readers in from the first page. . . . The text is informative but not overwhelming, grounding an existential exploration with a punctuating statement, "there were no frogs yet," until, finally, there are." --BCCB

"Egnéus creates stunning visuals that feel soft and organic, yet also intricate and precise.... A deeply fulfilling look at the ups and downs of natural selection." --Shelf Awareness, starred review on MOTH

About the Author

Isabel Thomas is the acclaimed author of the nonfiction picture books Moth: An Evolution Story and Fox: A Circle of Life Story, both of which have won the AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books. She creates STEM outreach resources for organizations such as the Welcome Sanger Institute and the BBC. Isabel studied Human Sciences at the University of Oxford and Education Research at the University of Cambridge. Find out more at isabelthomas.co.uk @isabelwriting

Daniel Egnéus is a prolific artist who has illustrated numerous books, including several Neil Gaiman titles and the much-loved picture book, Be Wild, Little One by Olivia Hope. He is also a well-regarded fashion artist, regularly illustrating for the likes of Chanel, H&M, Nike and many more. He is based in Athens, Greece.
X and Instagram: @danielegneus