- Picture Books
- Ages 3–6
- Comedy
Frank and Bert: The One Where Bert is Scared of Frogs
Book 5 in Frank and BertView the full series
The fifth Frank and Bert story, a funny, gentle tale about facing your fears together, in which Frank tries to help scaredy-Bert cope with a frog by the pond, and quietly admits that he's a bit frightened too.
- Best for3–6
- FormatPicture
- Length32 pp
- Read aloud~6 min
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The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Repetitive
- Comedic
Tone
- Funny
- Warm
- Heartwarming
- Gentle
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Frank the fox and Bert the bear love to visit the little pond to sail Bert's toy boat, but there's a snag: there's a frog in the pond, and Bert is very, very scared of frogs. Being a good friend, Frank sets out to help Bert be brave, insisting there's absolutely nothing to be afraid of and that he, Frank, isn't scared of frogs at all. Not one bit. The trouble is, that isn't quite true. Only once Frank owns up that he's a little frightened too can the two friends face the frog, and their fear, side by side. Chris Naylor-Ballesteros brings his trademark deadpan comedy and bold, expressive artwork to a warm, reassuring story about frogs, friendship and facing your fears, and the relief of admitting you're scared. A gentle, very funny read for any child with a worry of their own.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
Best shared aloud from about 2 or 3, especially for a child working through a worry or fear. Early readers of 5 to 7 can manage the simple text alone. Gentle and reassuring, with no scary imagery.
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- Best fit · 3–6
- Read aloud · 2–6
- Independent · 5–7
Prose load
Light
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Excellent
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Bedtime
- Reading together
- Gift-buying
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
4 / 5 · Bedtime-friendly
Sensitive-child
5 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Friendship
- Read aloud
- Facing your fears
- Fox and bear
- Being brave
Avoid if
- Wants action adventure
Particularly good for children who are…
- Nightmares or fears
- Anxiety and worry
In the classroom
How it works in school.
A gentle EYFS/PSHE read-aloud for talking about fears and worries, being brave, empathy and helping a friend, with clear comic-strip artwork that carries easily to a whole class.
A book children love that happens to support school — never a stand-in for the texts a class is taught with.
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Every child has a Bert-sized worry of their own, and the comedy of Frank insisting he isn't scared of frogs (when he clearly is) is very funny. The relief when both friends admit they're frightened and face the frog together is warm and reassuring.
- Friendship and belonging
- Surviving danger
Why parents love it
A gentle, funny way into a child's fears that never talks down, with the lovely message that being brave can mean admitting you're scared too. Naylor-Ballesteros's deadpan text and bold pictures make it a quick, calming read-aloud.
- Shared humour
- Quick to read
- Bedtime appropriate
In the series
Frank and Bert.
5 books · open the series →
About the author & illustrator
Chris Naylor-Ballesteros.
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Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
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