Colten and the Bullfrog Adventure

by Julie Rogers, Doyle Rogers

Overview

Colten and the Bullfrog Adventure is the story of a young boy and his grandfather having their first adventure together. Colten and Poppy get up before the sun to go looking for a bullfrog in Mema's fishpond. The fishpond is just in the backyard, behind the old pecan trees. There they wait for the bullfrog to appear. This is a froggy adventure with many facts included. Read to find out what Colten learns while on his first adventure with Poppy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728301884
Publisher:	Author Solutions Inc
Publication date:	03/25/2019
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	8.25(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.10(d)

About the Author

Julie Houston Rogers, a retired fifth-grade teacher, has always loved reading and making up stories to share with children. So she decided to write stories for children about history and science. She lives in a small South Georgia town with her husband, Doyle; her Yorkie, Lucy Loo; and two cats, Spanky and Bitsy. Their three children, Buck, Cody, and Beki have always said their home was as wild and funny as a TV comedy. So, they left home when they were ready to start their own sitcom.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

One morning, before the sun woke up, Colten got Poppy out of bed to go watch the old bullfrog that lives in Mema's fish pond. He couldn't wait to lay his eyes on that "old man," as Poppy called him. Poppy grabbed the flashlight and his cap, and Colten grabbed his cap, just like Poppy. And then out the back door they went. They were ready for their first big adventure, and Colten could already hear the call of the wild. He was mighty impatient, waiting for Poppy to decide on just the right time to move out!

They sat down on the swing, and Poppy explained, "When you are in the wild, you must remember some very important points if you want to be a successful and observant nature watcher. F irst, you must be patient. You must be willing to wait for what you want. Wait for the thrill!"

"Secondly, you absolutely must be quiet. Strange noises or noises that are out of place will frighten what you are waiting for, and you will never see it! This means no talking!"

Colten thought, "Boy, my cousin Elee would really be in trouble; she cannot stop talking!"

"Lastly, you must sit still! Absolutely no fidgeting!"

Once he had shared all this information, Poppy asked, "Do you have any questions, Colten?"

"Well, no, Poppy, not right now, but we haven't done anything yet!"

It was still dark as they moved off the porch. Colten could hear the chirping of the crickets in the grass and thought they were terribly loud that morning. He guessed being this close to them made it seem that way. The birds were already stirring and beginning to sing from the big old pecan trees in Poppy's backyard. He could even hear the gurgling sound of running water in Mema's fishpond.

Then, suddenly, he heard the strangest sound coming from the water. "Mmwww, rrriiiiddiit, mmwwwwwww!" It was definitely a scary sound.

Poppy fixed the flashlight so it wouldn't shine in the water and scare the noise away. It was a good thing he did, because if whatever made that sound did it again, someone would be running scared, and it wouldn't be Poppy!

Then, there it was, as big as day. That bullfrog! He was floating in the pond as if he owned the place. He sang out loud and clear as he moved from side to side.

"Poppy, does he always make that sound?" Colten whispered.

"Yes, Colten, he always makes that sound. That is the way he communicates and lets other frogs know he is here," he whispered.

"Poppy, where do bullfrogs go in the morning?" Colten didn't think he'd ever seen one during the day!

"Well, Colten, bullfrogs tend to lead a quiet life during the daytime. While they hunt at night, you might see them sunbathing on the rocks or sometimes even hunting during the day. When the sun is way up in the sky, the bullfrog might be found hiding under vegetation, beneath a large, shady leaf such as that of an elephant ear plant. He might also be under overhanging banks at the water's edge or resting in shallow water such as Mema's fish pond.

They got down on their knees to observe without being seen. With the flashlight, they were able to see the bullfrog's legs stretched out under the water. He was so relaxed; he looked as if he was floating on the waves of an ocean. He was trying to hide in the cattails and water lilies growing there. Poppy covered the light so they could watch him without being seen.

Suddenly, that bullfrog turned and climbed from the pond onto the rocks.

Once again that loud, scary sound began. It was soft at first, but then it was loud enough to scare away the bravest creature.

"Mmmmmmmwwwwwww, rrrriiiiiddiitttt, mmmwww, mmww!" He sang louder and even louder still.

"Ridit, ridit, jug-o-rum!"

He was king of the hill, proud and noble. He stared quietly, almost as if it was his last time surveying all that was his. His tiny kingdom! He looked around for a while, and then, just before dawn, the old man hopped silently into the tall elephant ears planted near the pond.

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Colten and the Bullfrog Adventure"
by .
Copyright © 2019 Julie/Doyle Rogers.
Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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