Late in the 1960s, the famous folksingers Peter, Paul, and Mary sang Leslie Braunstein's "I'm in Love with a Big Blue Frog." It was widely accepted as a metaphor for the prejudice and persecution of blacks during the civil rights era. This combination children's book and CD with three songs performed by Peter, Paul, and Mary is designed for children ages 6 and up. It is illustrated by Joshua S. Brunet.
In the book we meet a very happy couple in a soda shop while the other animal customers look at them with anger and disdain: she is a perky redhead and he is a tall blue frog. At a park they think about the children they will have; we learn that he has a Ph.D. and a father who is an enchanted prince. But none of that helps in the neighborhood where they are greeted with hating looks. Word has it that property values will plummet now that the blue frog and his wife have moved in. But this patient and creative couple have a plan which just might change things in the neighborhood.
I'm in Love With a Big Blue Frog's new ending proves that it takes both spunk and imagination to triumph over prejudice and bring people together.
