Due to a passing in the family a few years ago and my subsequent health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for years after the bereavement. Thank you for the opportunity.

An uplifting adventure story with a lovely message. The illustrations are fabulous and I am sure children will enjoy reading this book.

The Story:
Tad is (almost) a frog. She is the smallest of her tadsisters and tadbrothers and has to work hard to try and keep up. Not least because the scary frog-eating fish Big Blub is never far away, lurking in the deep, dark murky water. But as Tad’s tadbrothers and tadsisters seem to be disappearing is Big Blub finally going to catch up with Tad and can Tad finally lose her tail?

Favourite Spread:
Benji’s illustrations are simply wonderful, creating an atmospheric world and portraying Tad’s emotions brilliantly. I could look at them all day. Even after finishing the story the images lingered on in my mind. Right from the start you feel like you know Tad. Benji really has thought of everything, there is even a spread with numbers counting down from ten which children will love counting along with as the tension of the story rises.

The Verdict:
The tagline in the blurb for this picture book is: “Sometimes the biggest stories come from the smallest beginnings…” and boy does this book live up to its tagline! Tad is small, the story begins small but it packs a punch with a beautifully illustrated, uplifting, warm ending that will leave a smile on your face long after you finish reading it. This story has a wonderful message about growing up and learning to do things in your own time. It would be a brilliant story to share with a child who feels left behind, left out or worried about keeping up with others.

I'm in love with all of Benji Davies' picture books, but Tad has immediately jumped to the top of my all time favourites! An uplifting picture book about one tiny tadpole's biggest adventure. Beautifully and boldly illustrated throughout, Davies has mastered a tale about growing up, embracing change and taking chances!

This is a beautifully illustrated book by a hugely talented Benji Davies.

I was completed engrossed in the illustrations- they carry the story forward until you get to the end pages. It is so stunningly beautiful.

Tad is a tadpole with lots of tad brothers and tad sisters- until they all lose their tales and become frogs. Tad, is the last one, and feels lonely. Tad is waiting for her time but she must protect herself from Big Blub- a dangerous fish living in the murky depths of the pond. As she races away from Big Blub, her tail disappears and she "jumped" to join her brother and sisters.

This is a wonderful story to share and would link nicely to a non fiction unit on frogs!

Tadpole becomes frog.

I've read a few of Benji Davies' picture books previously. This has a similar look, recognisable drawings. It's also a story for children about coping with changes in their lives.

I didn't, however, think much of the story or text (unless my review copy was missing some pages). Tad is a small tadpole, and watches her brothers and sisters changes into froglets and disappear out of their watery home. One day, Big Blub chases her and sinks back down as she emerges from the water... as a frog. That's the conclusion.

It felt anticlimactic and a little disappointing. The big fish just stops chasing Tad, the new frog jumps/hops off. I didn't feel any emotional connection to Tad, wondered why Big Blub had just vanished without doing much, thought it could have been more developed. At one point Tad says she doesn't "believe" in Big Blub, but this wasn't mentioned again. Her small size isn't really capitalised on, as she does turn, eventually to a frog (i.e. it doesn't affect her, nobody else mentions she is small).

There are some lovely pictures - I like the one of Tad and his siblings asleep together inside a leaf, and the froglet/frogs' great big eyes, very cute.

A bit of a puzzle for me. In some ways it reminded me of 'Titch' by Pat Hutchins but doesn't hit the mark on being the smallest sibling.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

This is a simple, yet beautifully illustrated tale. The tadpoles have a lot of personality and you quickly feel for poor tad. Of course the ending is sweet and happy, but it feels earned. Very nice little introduction to the life cycle of frogs too.

Aside from the fact that this book is from Benji Davies, and any book by Benji Davies is amazing, Tad is a really special addition to the children's picture book market.

I've had my eye on this book since I found out about it, and so squealed when I got the chance to read it early! I was not disappointed by both the beautiful illustrations and the gorgeous story all about Tad and all the other tadpoles. I personally thought that the Big Blub was actually rather cute too!

I think that this story is a very important one for children (and for grown ups) about embracing change and taking a chance even if something seems scary, but at your own pace; things work out in the end.

The most beautiful illustrations matched with a lovely story about little Tad. As the dedication at the beginning of the book says ‘for all the small people who want to be big people’ this is a story of tad trying to grow up and keep up with her tadbrothers and tadsisters. A simple effective tale and well illustrated to creative the right joy and interest as you share the story.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest review