Monday, June 29, 2009

The Tadpole's Promise: a book to break your heart


My husband brought home the most horrible book for sweet George from the library. It's called The Tadpole's Promise by Jeanne Willis.

At first it appears to be an inter species love story between a boy tadpole and a girl caterpillar. The caterpillar drags a promise out of the unsuspecting tadpole to "never change." Nature takes it's course. The caterpillar gets pissed off and wraps herself up in a cocoon to get over it. The tadpole is mourning for her. When she emerges she decides to forgive him. She flutters down to the edge of the pond to find him.

(WARNING SPOILER: highlight the next cluster of white text to see what happens) I had been hoping for a tearful reunion but she quickly encounters the tadpole(now unrecognizable as a frog) who promptly EATS her(now unrecognizable as a butterfly)!!!
I have to admit, my son is loving this book. And there are a WHOLE bunch of deep lessons to be found in it.

Check it out of your local library.

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