Retold By: Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrated by: Rosanne Litzinger
Published by: Holiday House, 2006
ISBN: 978-0-8234-1618-9
Plot Summary
The village headman's daughter cannot find a suitor who she believes is good enough for her. She says she would rather marry a frog. That night, a stranger comes and asks her if she really meant that she would rather marry a frog than any of the suitors. She confirms that it is true and he leads her to the bottom of the lake and to her new home with the frog people. She marries a frog husband and has many frog children, but her parents miss her and believe her to be dead. One day a traveler tells them he saw a young girl singing surrounded by frogs and describes their daughter. The headsman tells the Chief of the Frog People to return his daughter. The Chief offers gifts instead and says that the daughter is happy where she is. The headsman threatens to start a war if she isn't returned. The daughter is returned but is very sad and will only croak until a shaman makes her into her old self. She explains that she is sad and misses her husband and children. Her parents try to convince her to marry a human but she leaves and is never seen again, nor were any other frogs in the lake. But long after, a traveler was told by a frog to tell the headsman that his daughter was happy with her husband and children. The traveler told the headsman, and as he did, he heard frogs croaking across the lake. But when he shut his eyes, he could hear them speaking in Tlingit.
Critical Analysis
This is a tale of transformation, like other similar tales where a human is turned into an animal. It differs from some in which the transformation is a result of a spell or punishment because, in this story, it is the daughter's choice to become a frog. The story also has similarities to other tales in which a leader's child is being forced to choose a spouse but cannot find anyone suitable (Aladdin or Cinderella).
Since this is a traditional legend of the Tlingit people, there is ample opportunity to display their culture through the illustrations and story. However, as is mentioned in the Kirkus review noted below, the connections are limited and the main characters' robe goes against the traditional clothing of the culture. Tlingit people use natural elements to create their clothing, so the main character's bright yellow cloak does not fit with an accurate portrayal of their culture. The illustrator was trying to show her individualism however, this misses the mark and perhaps is an example of the illustrator putting her own cultural background and ideas into the illustrations rather than honoring those of the Tlingit culture.
The illustrations overall do not fit with the culture, the yellow robe isn't the only example of that. They are watercolors that give the book an almost ethereal, dream-like equality. One could argue that this fits in with the unusual tale. However, traditional Tlingit artwork is generally much bolder in terms of coloring and style.
One illustration that does a good job of tying in the culture is that of the suitor with bulging eyes on page 4. His cloak is a more natural color that could have been made from elements and his headdress evokes the style of the Tlingit totems, for which they are well-known.
Review Excerpt
From Kirkus Reviews, published May 15, 2006
“The story is gracefully told and there is limited use of Tlingit imagery in the animal headdresses worn by some male figures. The illustrator explains that the princess’s untraditional yellow robe is a way to show the young woman’s individualism, but the attractive watercolors lack a strong feeling for this unique cultural group.”
Connections
Read this book and a version of The Frog Prince to students. Ask them to find similarities and differences between the two.
Delve more deeply into Tlingit tales by sharing other collections of stories, such as Shamans and Kushtakas: North Coast Tales of the Supernatural or Heroes and Heroines in Tlingit-Haida Legend, both by Mary Beck.
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