One autumn day Frog discovers a blackbird lying motionless in the grass. Worried, he asks his friends what can be the matter. Very gently and simply, then animals begin to understand the meaning of death and the beauty of life in this moving story.
Creators
Max Velthuijs was born in The Hague in 1923, and died in 2005, aged 81. He is now considered to be one of Holland's most important creators of children's books, alongside Dick Bruna. He won several awards, including the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Medal 2004. He worked as an illustrator of posters, adverts and films after the war and only started working on children's books in the 1980s. He lived in The Hague with his son.
Reviews
Suggested by many educational specialists as recommended reading for children to acquaint them with death.
EYE
Wonderfully simple, optimistic and uncondescending. A perfect children’s book.
Children's Bookseller
