by Jeanne Willis

I’m not sure if I’d say this book is for the hopelessly romantic or for the people with sarcastic, dark humor. I’m going with the hopelessly romantic because that is what I am. Tadpole’s Promise is a tragic love story that takes place in a pond between a tadpole and a catepillar. Tadpole and Catepillar fall in love and tell each other how they feel. Catepillar asks Tadpole to promise he’ll never change who he is. And he always promises. But as soon as the seasons change, Tadpole begins his change into a frog. As his change takes place, Catepillar’s heart breaks with the broken promises. She finally says he is no longer who she loves. As she sleeps in her caccoon and he grows to be a frog their love story seems to end. However, when she emerges a beautiful butterly, she realizes no matter how much Tadpole changed, there is nobody she’d rather be with. She flies off to go find him and runs into a frog. Which of course happens to be Tadpole. As she begins to ask if he’s seen her precious Tadpole, Tadpole eats her. The end is heartwrenching. I must admit, this book brought tears to my eyes. A love story that never got its happy ending. Nevertheless, this is definitely a must read.

Reviewed Emma