Review by Ian Keogh

We first see Froggy in a tree having carved a sharp stick, which is very refreshing in times when all children’s books are scrutinised for health and safety issues. Several similar moments where a lack of concern for proscribed messages are evident, not least Froggy being a young frog who leaves their parents to explore the world.

Froggy’s adventures are accompanied by a narrative voice along the lines of those that once provided the soundtrack to BBC programmes for young children. Instead of being advisory, though, it’s positively encouraging when it comes to the unknown. The first pal Froggy meets is Fishtopher, with whom the watery depths are navigated, and a succession of others follow, all non-threatening, as in this instance Paige Walshe follows the conventions of books for the very young.

Simple, but attractive art accompanies Froggy making new friends, always with plenty to distract young eyes while also subtly teaching about the countryside and its attractions. As the story begins in a recognisable world, but moves into more unusual areas there’s also plenty of opportunities for Walshe to dazzle with her creations.

It’s the more out there friends who are the concern over the final sequence. What would life be like for the creatures of the countryside if humans knew about the weirder ones? The fear is that it wouldn’t be good for anyone, so Froggy’s friends are united in wanting to prevent the intrusion of more humans.

That Walshe ends by supplying characteristics for all the creatures seen indicates the creative imagination applied to A Pond Full of Pals, and young readers will surely delight in exploring the world created.