In the lively amphibian town of Croaksville, Finley the frog feels like he’ll never measure up. Smaller than his classmates and slower than his siblings, Finley dreams of hopping higher and swimming faster—just once wanting to fit in. But when he discovers a rare three‑petaled wishing flower that blooms only once every ten years, Finley suddenly has the chance to change everything.
His wishes bring surprising results, and Finley quickly learns that getting what you want isn’t always what you expect. When nonstop rain threatens to flood Croaksville, Finley must rely not on magic, but on courage, kindness, and the strengths he’s had all along. With growing confidence, he steps into a role he never imagined: a hero who helps his community when they need him most.
Finley is a heartwarming chapter book that celebrates self‑acceptance, problem‑solving, and the power of looking within. Featuring whimsical watercolor illustrations and fascinating northern leopard frog facts, this story invites young readers to explore themes of resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of being true to yourself.
Perfect for fans of uplifting animal adventures and character‑driven stories, Finley reminds readers that even the smallest frog can make a big difference.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Finley, a Northern leopard frog, is feeling sad because his small size limits his jumping height and swimming speed, leading to him being teased by other frogs in Croaksville. He wishes he could jump higher and swim faster than all the other frogs, and with a stroke of presumably good luck, his wishes are about to come true.
The wishing flower blooms once every ten years, and Finley was luckily close by when this beautiful, magical flower appeared. The wishing flower had only three petals, each representing a wish for the finder. Once the wish is made, the yellow petal turns purple, signifying that the wish has been granted. Finley knew what his first wish would be: He wanted to be strong, so he could hop higher and swim faster than any other frog. Then, they would have no reason to tease or laugh at him anymore. However, Finley quickly learned to be careful what you wish for because you might regret it. Suspenseful moments plague Finley, causing him to rethink his first wish, and offer readers a chance to weigh in on Finley’s impromptu second wish. Did he make the right choice? Would they, the reader, make the same one? Why or why not?
As for Finley’s third wish, another highly charged scene influences his decision, teaching readers that it is better to give than to receive, or (in other words) it is sometimes best to put the needs of others in front of your own. Finley became the hero of Croaksville, and, most importantly, he learned to accept himself as he is. Those are powerful lessons we should be teaching all our children!
There are a few challenging words for young readers, such as cacophony, so I recommend reading this story with an adult. I also recommend checking out the “All about Northern leopard frogs” pages. It shares interesting facts about the little creatures, such as their unique “calls” and the number of eggs they lay at a time.
Finley the Frog and the Magical Wishing Flower delivers powerful life lessons through suspenseful storytelling and brightly colored illustrations. It promotes positive self-image, empathy, and the importance of making good choices. Amazon’s suggested age group is 3-12. I would reduce that to 3-10. However, regarding the story’s positive message, love thyself, that is ageless.
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Meet the Author
Reedsy Author Link
Website Link
