This Rock Is Mine!
by Kaye Umansky; illus. by Alice McKinley
Preschool    Peachtree    32 pp.
10/24    9781682637463    $18.99

Two headstrong frogs battle it out for sole proprietorship of their favorite rock. A long-legged green frog fishes on its side of the rock, while on the other side a paler, squatter frog naps. When they become aware of each other, an argument ensues. They defend their ownership in ­back-and-forth­ rhymes. “This is MY rock! / See over there? / My orange towel, / my folding chair. / My flask of tea. / My underwear. / This rock is MINE.” A large blue heron watches the two flailing about and swoops in for a snack, sending the pair diving into the water. Frog and Frog are united by this close call and decide to search for a new rock together. The mixed-media and digital illustrations feature blues and greens, befitting a pond or bog. Both frogs sport colorful ­swimsuits—a playful detail in a story bursting with silliness. A lucky pink worm, originally destined to be fishing bait, escapes in the early chaos and is one of several creatures that can be found on each page (a bonus seek-and-find for curious readers). An entertaining read-aloud on the merits of sharing.

From the ">September/October 2024 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.