Frog in Love

Frog is too muddled to analyze his symptoms--hot-and-cold spells and a highly irregular thump-thump of the heart--and too shy and inexperienced to know what to do once diagnosed. For Frog is in love, improbably, with the nice white duck; if only he knew how to secure her affections! He does win his heart's desire, through unorthodox and even clumsy means, and captures the hearts of readers as well. The simplicity of Velthuijs's paintings serves to spotlight Frog's expressions, which run the gamut from dreaminess to exhilaration to despair and finally bliss. Beneath the gentle, irrestistible silliness of Frog's quest is the heartwarming affirmation that ``A frog and a duck. . . . Green and white. Love knows no boundaries.'' Ages 3-up. (Oct.)