A small green frog finds an old book of spells, including "a spell to become a handsome prince." The spell goes hilariously awry a number of times; pages in the book are split horizontally so readers can make different combinations of the top half and bottom half. When at last the frog becomes a prince, he kisses a princess...and turns back into a frog. The final endpaper shows a small scrap from the spell book ("small print / please read carefully...").

Doesn't mention Halloween specifically, but perfect for a spooky/silly fall storytime! ( )

A small green frog dreams of love in this original fairy-tale from English picture-book author/artist Emily Gravett. Piecing together a spell from a tatty old spell book he finds, he is variously transformed into any number of creatures, until finding himself a handsome prince. Next encountering a beautiful princess, the frog finds that his first kiss does not go quite as planned...

Spells is the fourth picture-book that I have read from Gravett, and I initially tracked it down because I mistakenly thought it had some witchy content (witchy picture-books being a particular interest of mine). As it happens, it does not, but it is an interesting book, for all that. I thought the story was charming, if rather slight, and the artwork—created using pencil, watercolor, shredded paper and a bit of glitter—lovely. The middle section of the book offers an interactive element, with pages that are cut in half, allowing the creation of a variety of portmanteau creatures, as the frog tries out different spells. All in all, this had some undeniable virtues, and yet somehow... I just didn't fall under its spell. I do recommend it, both to young fairy-tale lovers and to picture-book readers looking for more interactive stories, but somehow I just wasn't as enchanted as I'd hoped to be. ( )

Summary:
Spells by Emily Gravett is about a frog who finds a book. He wishes it was about boats but it was just a book of spells. He decides he wants to become something else so he tries a lot of different spells and he turns into multiple things before he finally turns into a prince, which is what he always wanted but the kiss of a princess would turn hi, back into a frog.

Reaction:
The illustration in the book in amazing. I found myself being excited to see what was going to happen next.

Expansion:
1. Have the kids discuss what they would do with a book of spells. What would they want to turn into?
2. Have the kids paint or color a picture of the frog.

Oh, oh, goodness!  I must admit that, when I first opened it, I thought Gravett had become so enamored of cleverness that she had neglected heart - but I know her better than that and should have had faith.  This is not only clever, and charming, funny, and exciting, but also heartfelt indeed.  Also, if the only thing you do is preview it on Az, check out the marvelous outfit (not gown) the princess wears (search for text Frog was tall). ( )

Wonderful fantasy book on a frog who wants to become a prince, but only has a spell book. Has creative pages, would be good for on your own reading so students can see the small print/ experience turning the pages. Some play on words with the idea of spelling and it's a book about spells, could have students sound out fake words for fun. This book would be in the Modern Fantasy Genre. ( )