The host of cooking show Bewitching Kitchen!--a green-skinned, pink-nosed witch, complete with pointy hat--demonstrates how to make frog soup in this humorous picture book tutorial. But after tossing in various veggies, the key ingredient--the titular froggy spoonful--refuses to cooperate. As the witch tries to maintain a calm telegenic demeanor, the wily, hop-happy frogs escape from their tank, then prove subsequently and continually elusive. Lyall's (Inky's Great Escape) sly text follows the witch repeating some variation of the instruction "Place the frogs on the spoon" while unsuccessfully trying to grab, chase, or trap them ("Get another spoon. Use the two spoons to scoop up the frogs"). Employing varied, cinematic framing and comic energy reminiscent of cartoon animation, Brosgol's (Memory Jars) digital artwork follows the chase out of the TV studio and into the park, where a slippery rock and a proximate pickle truck prove lifesavers for frog and witch both. Ideal for fans of cooking shows--or any kid who gets the giggles from seeing a flustered adult trying to hold it together. Ages 4--8. Author's agent: Molly Ker Hawn, Bent Agency. Illustrator's agent: Judy Hansen, Hansen Literary. (July)

An attempt to make frog soup, a witch's favorite treat, spells disaster during a cooking show when a key ingredient refuses to cooperate with the enchanting chef. A perfectly poised witch, pink-nosed, with her apron and pointy hat just so, beams for the camera as she adds a cascade of ingredients to her cauldron. The final, critical ingredient is "a spoonful of frogs," ideal for imparting "a kick of flavor and a pop of color" to the soup. The frogs, however, have other plans. The determined witch's increasingly frustrated attempts to "put them on the spoon" deliver slapstick laughs as the minimal, deadpan text plays against the ensuing amphibian chaos. Lyall (Inky's Great Escape, 2017) paces this mischievous story deliciously with well-timed page turns and repetition; a subtle element of foreshadowing rewards keen-eyed readers in the end. Brosgol (Memory Jars, 2021), meanwhile, makes excellent use of both white space and multipanel pages to enhance the comedic experience. The digital artwork is jewel-toned and saturated, wonderfully expressive, and rewarding in its small, illustrative details, including differing endpapers that showcase the "last and most important ingredient." An all-seasons recipe for storytime success as readers will root for the frazzled witch to work her way out of a hilarious pickle.

An apron-clad witch who's the host of her own TV cooking show walks readers step-by-step through her recipe for Frog Soup. After heating the cauldron and adding spices and veggies, she reaches for the piece de resistance: a "spoonful of frogs." Unfortunately for her, but hilariously for readers, the would-be ingredients repeatedly, cleverly hop away, evading the stew, stirring up trouble, and ultimately providing inspiration for a brand-new recipe. Lyall's spare, mostly restrained text uses ear-pleasing, catch-phrase-worthy repetition and variation ("Put. The FROGS. On. The SPOON") while Brosgol's retro-chic, increasingly frazzled digital illustrations are a chef's-kiss of comic timing. Elissa Gershowitz September/October 2022 p.44(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

PreS-Gr 1--A very pale, red-nosed witch, clad in burgundy rather than the traditional black, hosts her TV show entitled "Bewitching Kitchen." Today's episode involves a demonstration on how to make Frog Soup. Step by step she takes "viewers" through the recipe from placing the cauldron on the fire to attempting to put a frog on a spoon in order to add it to the pot for "a kick of flavor and a pop of color." At this point in the story, which is told in absolute deadpan but with an underlying and expanding sense of mischief, children will begin laughing at the antics of the poor witch as she attempts to complete the recipe for her audience. Expecting the frog to stay on the spoon is her undoing as she tries to remain professional and keep her cool. Brosgol's engaging digital illustrations show a fitted-out kitchen with a large stove, hanging pots, drying herbs and jars of unspecified and indeterminate contents. The army of frogs the pink-aproned witch keeps in an aquarium are full of energy and bounce and, though they are trying the woman's patience, their faces remain serenely calm and innocent. VERDICT This entertaining tale is a humorous look at how well-laid plans can sometimes go awry, and it will tickle children's silly bones.--Maryann H. Owen

Who knew soup-making was such an aerobic activity? Frog soup is a tasty treat, and a green-skinned witch is ready to share a recipe with fans through a televised cooking show. The ingredients seem simple enough--water, salt, garlic, potatoes, fly extract, etc.--but this Kitchen Witch stumbles with the most important ingredient: frogs. It's tough to add a spoonful of frogs when the ingredient in question has other plans that include hopping, jumping, and, ultimately, escaping. Thanks to a little culinary magic, however, the day is saved with a briny substitution that pleases both the witch and their new froggy friends. Storytellers will have audiences in stitches with this delectable delight, and children will giggle with each new frenzied attempt of the witch to place the frogs on the spoon. Savvy caregivers or educators may want to use this title to introduce an interest in cooking. Sadly, no (frogless) soup recipe is included at the end for readers to try at home--a small annoyance in an otherwise savory experience. This quibble aside, the story is sure to get a chef's kiss from adults and children alike. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Delicious fun for everyone--even frogs! (Picture book. 6-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.