Robbit the Job-hopping Frog

Robbit the Job-hopping Frog Michael Gerard Bauer & Katrin Dreiling (Scholastic) PB RRP $19.99 ISBN 97817025503

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Michael Gerard Bauer is an award-winning author. His debut young adult novel, The Running Man, won the 2005 Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year for Older Readers. His picture book Rodney Loses It! won the 2018 CBCA Book of the Year Award. His writing often explores overcoming challenges.

Katrin Dreiling is a German-born illustrator based in Brisbane. She moved to Australia in 2004 and has now made it home. Self-taught, she creates quirky illustrations. Her debut picture book, The World’s Worst Pirate, written by Michelle Worthington, won a CBCA award in 2018. She also won the Harper Collins Illustrators Showcase Award in 2019 at the SCBWI conference in Sydney.

Meet Robbit, a job-hopping frog on a quest to find the perfect job. With determination and a never-give-up attitude, he chases his dream.

Michael Gerard Bauer’s writing often explores overcoming challenges, and that’s exactly what Robbit the frog does. The opening sentence introduces Robbit and his problem with a touch of humour: "Robbit the frog (Who no one called Bob), decided one day that he wanted a job." From here, the reader is immediately swept into a job seeking journey. Bauer’s clever word choices, including the name of the frog, showcase his playful style.

The story’s voice is strong and full of personality, bearing Bauer's unique stamp. The dialogue shines with lines like, "You never know what you can do till you try." I can almost hear a child or parent repeating this. As Robbit searches for a job, a series of funny misunderstandings unfold. One example is when Robbit discovers, to his dismay, that not every bank is the same. I love how Robbit seeks out jobs he believes are great for him.

Bauer gives him a never-give-up attitude that really shines. Late in the story, a writer is introduced who creates a story about Robbit’s job hunt, leading Robbit to discover the best job ever for him. This text is imaginative and unique.

Katrin Dreiling’s illustration style in Robbit the Job-Hopping Frog is playful, vibrant, and full of character, perfectly complementing the humour and charm of Michael Gerard Bauer’s story. Her illustrations are fun and detailed, bringing Robbit's quirky adventures to life with a mix of soft, pastel hues and lively, expressive characters. Dreiling’s quirky style is immediately recognisable and matches this text well.

The cover is catchy, showing Robbit jumping for joy under the colourful large title. The endpapers with bugs and worms on a green background are perfect for a frog story. Dreiling makes great use of white space, which allows her simple and eye-catching illustrations to stand out. Their simplicity and expression are appealing.

Robbit the Job-Hopping Frog reminds us that there’s something for everyone in this world – you just need to find it. The message of never giving up and being resilient shines through in the text and illustrations. This book is perfect for children aged 4 to 8 and will appeal to kids, parents, teachers, and librarians alike.