Can I Tell You a Secret?

Publishers Weekly,The husband-and-wife team behind You Are (Not) Small and That's (Not) Mine introduces a frog hero who endears himself to readers right from the get-go. "Pssst!" says Monty, leaning out from the right-hand side of the opening spread. "Yes, you. Hi. Could you come here for a sec?" The frog's hands are joined anxiously, its webbed feet splayed like goofy flippers. After assuring himself that readers can keep a secret, Monty confesses, "I can't swim. Not even a little bit. And... I'm afraid of the water." Questions and answers lead readers deeper into the frog's dilemma, and Weyant gets additional laughs with vignettes of Monty's avoidance strategies-a fake doctor's note, desperate clinging. "What's that? You think I should tell someone? Like my parents?" This turns out surprisingly well ("We know, sweetie") and offers the beginnings of a solution. Weyant captures expressions with just a few antic lines, a dynamic match for Kang's smart dialogue. Watching Monty confess his fear to his parents might persuade some readers to entrust adults with their own secrets and insecurities. Ages 4-8. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (May) ��� Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.