1. Art motifs
2. Art techniques
3. Book design
4. Communication
5. Community
6. Companionship
7. Cooperation
8. Curiosity
9. Dance
10. Design
11. Emotions
12. Endpapers
13. Family
14. Friendship
15. Imagery
16. Moon
17. Music
18. Personification
19. Symbolism
20. Visual literacy

‘The Frog’s First Song’ is inspired by the two creators’ cultural backgrounds which include Chinese parables and First Nations’ Creation stories. Their story here can be read on many levels with its meaning left to each reader. In a whimsical opening a frog appears set against a black background, presumably all alone and deep down in a well. The frog croaks and is surprised when other frogs join in. The illustrations gradually change from the black background. The frogs’ songs perhaps reflect friendship and family. With this added company, the frogs feel brave and begin to dance, hop and sing with happiness. They venture further up the well until they emerge into a nighttime world.

Illustrations of the frogs are symbolic in appearance rather than appearing as recognisably frogs. This offers an opportunity to discuss symbols and art styles. The story and its themes too can be variously interpreted as a creation story, the benefits of working together, and the desire for a harmonious society.

As the frogs emerge from the well, smiling down upon them is the bright yellow moon set against the dark night. The frogs serenade the moon in great excitement and wonder at this newly discovered world. The moon is amazed by the frogs’ beautiful song and gives the frogs a glowing stage so they can sing and perform for all the world to hear. Perhaps, the creators are suggesting, everyone might work together to achieve a better world.

‘The Frog’s First Song’ is open to interpretation of its multiple themes and messages. For example, the frogs suggest that even in dark times, when we come together with song, dance and story, the world is brighter and no one is alone. None of several potential stories is presented in a didactic way.

The illustrations are mostly in dark colours of black, navy blue, purple and green. The endpapers reflect the story, with the opening endpapers a bright yellow featuring drips of water to pique our curiosity. Where is this? What is happening? The final double page endpapers reveal our frog friends amidst the stars and moon in colours of dark greens, navy blues and purples—thematic colours that appear throughout. This is a story to ponder and talk about, with multiple interpretations of frogs, in particular, but clearly a range of ideas and themes underlie this seemingly simple, but ultimately complex story.

Jazz Money is a Wiradjuri poet and artist whose work appears variously in installations, digital, performance, film and print with such work performed worldwide. Two of the author’s poetry collections have been published. Jason Phi uses a range of mediums including printmaking, painting and performance. His work references folktales, history and jokes. He won the Sulman Prize in 2015 and is a four-time finalist for the Archibald Prize.

1. University of Queensland Press Teachers’ Notes written by Cara Shipp for ‘The Frog’s First Song.’ This resource includes an interview with the two creators https://d3f44jafdqsrtg.cloudfront.net/books/The-Frogs-First-Song-Teachers-Notes-FINAL.pdf
2. YouTube 15 May 2025 ‘The Frog’s First Song’ Jazz Money and Jason Phu appear together talking about this picture book. Length is 1.38min https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBD2awOMX-k
3. Scholastic Teaching Notes for ‘The Frog’s First Song’ https://resource.scholastic.com.au/ResourceFiles/100144626_131120.pdf
4. ReadPlus 31 Oct 2025 review by Nicole Nelson of ‘The Frog’s First Song’ https://www.readplus.com.au/reviews/the-frogs-first-song
5. The Bottom Shelf 13 Jul 2025 review by Barbara Braxton of ‘The Frog’s First Song’ https://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/2025/07/13/the-frogs-first-song/
6. Story Links 18 Jul 2025 review by Lara Cain Gray of ‘The Frog’s First Song’ https://storylinks.booklinks.org.au/2025/07/18/the-frogs-first-song/
7. Momo celebrates time to read 3 Jul 2025 review of ‘The Frog’s First Song’ https://momotimetoread.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-first-frogs-song-by-jazz-money.html
8. Books+Publishing 13 May 2025 review by Annie Waters of ‘The Frog’s First Song’ https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2025/05/13/271251/the-frogs-first-song-jazz-money-illus-jason-phu-uqp/
9. Lamont Books Teaching notes for ‘The Frog’s First Song’ https://www.lamontbooks.com.au/media/251689/ps-the-frogs-first-song-july-2025.pdf
10. Jazz Money’s website provides information about the creator and works https://jazz.money/about
11. Jason Phu’s website provides information about the creator and works https://www.jasonphu.com/