Mina Coccia's Latest Children's Book Provides Colorful Lesson in Tolerance

Related: Kids, Children

Something unexpected happens on a lazy morning that starts like many others for Itsy Bitsy Franny Frog in the peaceful pond: She sees a blue frog sitting on her lily pad. As this new illustrated children's book quickly reveals, the two frogs begin to argue over which is meant to live in the pond and sit on the lily pads and which is the best swimmer and jumper - a green frog or a blue frog. Despite some initial confusion, Franny eventually realizes it's okay to be different because friends can come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors.

"The Adventures of Itsy Bitsy Franny Frog: I Like that I Am Green and You Are Blue," the second book in a series featuring Franny Frog and her friends, offers lessons in tolerance even young children can understand. As the two frogs ask other pond residents about who should be able to live there, perch on lily pads and/or who can swim faster or jump higher, they learn that they are more alike than they realize. The easy-to-read aloud story and the colorful cartoon illustrations remind children that differences in appearance, ability and personality should be celebrated - not feared - because it's the differences that make each person (or in this case each frog) unique and special.

Author Mina Coccia has an active health and wellness consulting practice in the Philadelphia area and is an adjunct faculty member at the Global College of Natural Medicine. Coccia, who has a Ph.D., in holistic health, serves on an outreach committee for visual impairment begun by Massachusetts Eye and Ear Institute. She works to promote well-being for children through their relationship with natural, environmental awareness and health. Illustrator Richa Kinra has created artwork for more than 40 children's books, adult fiction and poems. This book is one of a series of books starring Itsy Bitsy Franny Frog that Coccia plans to write.

For additional information, please visit http://www.theadventuresofitsybitsyfrannyfrog.com.

The Adventures of Itsy Bitsy Franny Frog: I Like that I Am Green and You Are Blue
Mina Coccia
Dog Ear Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4575-1522-4 34 pages $14.95 US

Available at Ingram, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and fine bookstores everywhere.