In Wanda and the Frogs – the second of what readers can only hope will be a continuing picture book series – the writer/illustrator team of Barbara Azore and Georgia Graham resurrect the vivacious heroine of Wanda and the Wild Hair.

It’s spring, and Wanda stumbles across a puddle of tadpoles. Rescuing some the next morning with her sand pail, Wanda brings them to school, where their transformation is observed by her and her class.

Azore wisely skips the story-drowning minutiae of the amphibian life cycle, allowing readers instead to connect with the simple wonder of the life cycle, and our love of nature and desire to possess it. The tightly written tale touches on all the usual emotions about classroom pets – the heroism of discovery and rescue, the lessons of observation, and the misery of learning that the best expression of love is letting go. Azore does this without losing pace, playfulness, or a sense of humour.

Georgia Graham’s pastel illustrations are lively and memorable, infusing the story with warmth and vitality and supporting the nimble simplicity of the prose. Wanda and the Frogs is notable for its pleasing contrast of soft backgrounds and hard foreground details. The illustrations invite close examination of the assortment of curious objects, frog antics, and engaging characters.

Azore and Graham understand exactly the cravings of the mind of a young reader and deliver all the subtle points of interest and visual wealth necessary to keep this book on the bedtime list.