PIBBIN THE SMALL written by Gloria Repp, illustrated by Tim Davis

About Gloria

In one of my earliest memories, I am sitting on my father’s lap listening to a bedtime story. His stories were always original, always exciting, and they lifted me out of my small space into larger worlds of adventure and intrigue and wild creatures. At the same time, growing up in Hawaii and later, the Pacific Northwest, I began to take a lively interest in the natural world surrounding me. The ocean and beaches, mountains and forests, fired my imagination and gave shape to the stories I was beginning to dream.

The gifts of my early childhood—a love for story and for nature—stood me in good stead during the lonely years that followed. My mother died, our family disintegrated, and I was sent away to school. In books and the stories I wrote for myself, I found delightful companionship, and I learned that the mysteries of nature could be unlocked by careful study.

Finally I recognized what I’d always wanted to do: write stories for children to read.

I studied the craft of writing juvenile fiction and then began. My three children seemed to like my stories, so I started on the long road to publication and found that others liked them too. Since then, I have taught creative writing, worked as an editor, and written more books—for children, teens, and adults.

The past four years have added a new dimension to my work as I’ve made numerous trips to explore the thousand-acre wilderness of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens. I found inspiration for story settings in the pine forests and the abandoned cranberry bogs near the ruins of a town named Friendship. One April, I listened to a chorus of frogs singing, and I knew I had to share these marvelous creatures with children.

I would tell them about the adventures of Pibbin, a Pine Barrens Treefrog, beautifully colored in green, lavender, orange, and white. Although tiny, no bigger than a thumb, he would be brave, a frog who dared anything on behalf of his friends. I’d write Pibbin’s stories with simple words and sentences so children who were entering the world of reading could enjoy them. The series would be called Tales of Friendship Bog.

Pibbin’s adventures have taken shape, young readers ask for more, and each year I return to the Pine Barrens to listen to its frogs. The Tales of Friendship Bog continue.

Website http://www.gloriarepp.com/


About Pibbin the Small
Easy-to-read adventure for ages 6 and up. 
Pibbin is desperate to help Sheera, his injured friend. It’s a long journey to the doctor’s house, and the other frogs tell him he’s too small to go. “You'll run into snakes and that giant bullfrog,” they say. “Black Snapping Crabs might eat you.”


But Sheera’s leg is still bleeding! Pibbin finds a pal, and they hurry off on the dangerous trip, hoping to return before she gets worse. No one knew to warn them about a crazy toad-driver, or stolen leaves, or a terrible, misted swamp. . . . The two pals end up in more trouble than anyone ever expected.

Explore Friendship Bogs

Read a sample chapter   Download discussion questions.

    Tree Frog like Pibbin              

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My Review


Pibbin is a small tree frog.  He has many friends and one of his closest friends, Sheera has badly injured her leg.  But they need some special leaves to wrap her leg with and there are none to be found in Friendship bog.  The only place to get the leaves is from Sheera's friend and it is a long journey. So Pibbin volunteers to take the long journey in quest of the leaves that will heal his dearest friend.  He is told to beware because there are many dangers to face on this journey and that it would be best to take a pal with him.

He has faith that he can save her leg if only he can find the leaves.

The author has some very interesting characters in this book.  Different kinds of frogs, some big, some small, some nice and some that are down right mean.  There are also turtles, chipmunks, rabbits, mice and a woodchuck.  Also some very poisonous snakes and some friendly non-poisonous snakes.

The author asks, "Is Pibbin to small to be brave?"

A story of adventure, courage, faith, hope and love for neighbors. 

The illustrations are very colorful and realistic to the environment of the land and it's inhabitants. 

I highly recommend this book.

I rate this book 5 out of 5

Disclosure:

I received a free copy of this book for review from the author.  I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.