Review: Clever Spin on a Classic Tale
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 18, 2014
J.R. Barker’s “The Adventures of the Frog Prince” is a delightful and worthwhile retelling of the classic fable.  Those readers who might be concerned that this is only a “children’s story” will be relieved to know that there is a little something for everyone in this light-hearted story.Barker starts the story off with the missing Prince Leo, and quickly takes us to him, now in an inconvenient (for him) frog form.  As an unnatural frog (but a natural spoiled brat) Leo struggles with his new shape, size and, especially enjoyable, learning to walk with webbed, sticky feet.Leo is, of course, in search of a cure, which he surmises must be in the form of a witch (egads!) who first turned him into the titular frog.  His own behavior leads him to suspect a noble couple whose daughter, Princess Adelaide, he’d insulted.  There are several delightful twists and turns, some excellent dialogue, and, of course, the growth of a Prince.Barker creates characters that are engaging and fun.  Readers will especially enjoy Alastair, the spider who befriends the Frog Prince, a similar victim of a witch (egads!).  As a reader, my only concern was for some of the anachronistic terms that crept into the story from time to time.  There weren’t many, but they may give a reader pause and break the suspension of disbelief.In “The Adventures of the Frog Prince” J.R. Barker takes the classic tale and gives it a new spin and twist.  She maintains the main elements of the story, but provides a wonderfully fun and quick read that will keep you turning pages to what you will hope is a “happily ever after”.