Too Many Frogs!

The Hassetts' animal-beleaguered Nana Quimby (Mouse in the House; Cat Up a Tree) is back, and this time there's "a damp sort of sound" coming from her cellar%E2%80%94it's full of water. She fixes that problem, but then little frogs invade her kitchen; they're skinny, unassuming frogs, but Nana Quimby complains anyway: "Too many frogs." "Put the frogs in a goldfish bowl," orders a girl who's jumping rope outside. On the advice of other children%E2%80%94all round-faced, like Nana%E2%80%94her mugs, pots, pans, sink, bathtub, and washing machine are pressed into service as more frogs appear, providing much visual comedy. In the end, she must refill the cellar with water to lure them out of the kitchen. Cupcake colors animate Nana Quimby's kitchen and her friendly urban neighborhood, while silly noises ("thump-thump-bang-bang-bonk"), repeating phrases, and improbable numbers ("She opened the door, and a million frogs hopped, jumped, bumped, and bounced across the kitchen floor") keep this sweet tale moving smartly along. Most satisfying is the way that the children get to order Nana Quimby around, and the humility with which she obeys them. Ages 4%E2%80%938. (July)