Joyce Sidman: Hi, this is Joyce Sidman and I'm the author of Dear Treefrog. I'm going to tell you a bit about how I came to write this book, and then I'll share a few poems with you.

I remember the first moment I saw a tree frog in my yard. I was about to reach for the hose to water some flowers when I realized there was a green blob right where my hand was about to go. It was a tiny frog with golden eyes staring right at me and not moving a muscle, not even blinking. I was totally captivated and I ran to get my camera.

Next day, the frog had moved. Where had he gone? From then on, I looked for tree frogs every day. I found them on flower petals. I found them on leaves. I even found them on mushrooms. I learned they changed colors and hunted at night. I got to witness some amazing things. For instance, the day I saw a tree frog shrug off its translucent outer skin and eat it.

Like the girl in Dear Treefrog, that summer was a difficult time for me. I was in a new place in my life, but, somehow, searching for these small creatures and finding out more about their lives helped me feel part of the wide green growing world around me.

Now I'll share with you three short poems from the book.

I see you suddenly among the tangled green, a tiny dollop of frog, where before there was only leaf. You look so bumpy and soft, all tucked inside yourself, watching me, watching you. Are you new here too?

The world is wet and wild tonight, roaring, thrashing, booming. I hope you are somewhere safe, tree frog, holding on tight with those grippy toes, riding your snug shadow of leaves.

Next morning, the yard swims with wrecked leaves and pattered twigs. As the sun blinks open and the birds sing the world back together again, I love knowing my days might have frogs in them.