With the Frogs (Andrew Lost Series #18) »

ANDREW, JUDY, AND Thudd are still the size of insects. Andrew has invented special bug suits to protect them. But the suits won’t help much when they get lost in a pond full of frogs that love to eat bugs! They come face-to-face with fierce larvae, giant waterbugs, diving beetles, and socalled moss animals that look like floating brains. Will Andrew, Judy, and Thudd find their way out of the pond . . . before they croak? Another exciting and fact-filled adventure sure to please kids, parents, teachers, and librarians alike!

Children's Literature

Ten-year-old Andrew, his older cousin Judy, and Thudd, Andrew's super-smart robot friend, are the size of bugs. Andrew wants to discover why frogs are disappearing and to help his Uncle Al. Andrew and Judy pedal to the pond using the GNAT, a flying invention of Andrew's. The GNAT crashes into the pond where Judy and Andrew must avoid being eaten by water bugs. They contact Uncle Al for help to return to the cabin and to a normal size. As they try to avoid attack of a bullfrog, a fish, and other insects, Thudd points out scientific information about the pond and its inhabitants. This eighteenth title of the series "Andrew Lost" gives a very detailed view of pond life; the numerous scientific facts are a nice and admirable feature. However, the frogs' disappearance never really enters the story and seems rather trivial in spite of the book's title. Readers in second or third grade and interested in science may find Andrew's trip enjoyable. Teachers in those grades could consider these as supplements to science lessons about various environments like a pond. Reviewer: Elizabeth Fronk