For toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids too, the world of grown-ups is often confusing and sometimes scary. In her Freeda the Frog™ children’s book series, author Nadine Haruni makes coping with various life challenges easier for little ones with the help of a momma frog, Freeda, and her three little tadpoles, Frannie, Frank, and Jack. The first four books deal with common issues: divorce; a parent’s remarriage and becoming part of a blended family; moving to a new city or town and starting a new school; and the loss of a pet or loved one.

In her fifth book, Freeda the Frog™ and the Two Mommas Next Door (Mascot Books; June 2, 2020), Nadine Haruni helps kids understand that families come in all shapes, colors, and sizes.

The tadpoles are surprised and filled with questions when they first meet their new neighbors, Jessica and her parents, Morgan and Irene. Why does Jessica have two mommas? Does not having a mommy and daddy like most kids make her feel weird?

But their momma, Freeda, encourages Frannie, Frank, and Jack to get to know Jessica’s two mommas. Before long, the tadpoles discover that Morgan and Irene are a lot like other mommas they know. Through spending time with Jessica and her mommas, the tadpoles realize that families can have two mommas or two daddies—because what really makes a family is love.

Freeda the Frog™ and the Two Mommas Next Door is published to coincide with Gay Pride Month. But it isn’t a book just for children with same-sex parents or for kids in the LGBTQ+ community. Says Nadine Haruni: “The common thread of all the books is to not only be helpful to kids and families who can relate to these specific situations, but to help all kids recognize that no two families look the same, and encourage an environment of awareness, empathy, and inclusivity.”

The Freeda the Frog™ series also serves as a tool to help parents, educators and school counselors, open up conversations about difficult topics with children in an upbeat and non-scary way. Towards that goal, each book offers discussion questions at the end. The entire series has been leveled for the schools to align to National Education standards, and all five books have received a Readers’ Favorite 5-star review and the Gold Mom’s Choice Award for excellence in the family-friendly picture book category.

“We are happy to award deserving books like Freeda the Frog and the Two Mommas Next Door,” says Dawn Matheson, CEO, Mom’s Choice Awards. “Our panel of judges really felt this book merited a place on our list of the best in family-friendly products that parents and educators can feel confident in using.”

Future topics for Freeda and her tadpoles to explore include adoption, Special Needs’ kids, a new baby sibling, and a parent returning to work. Each book reinforces Nadine Haruni’s mission of “helping families of all species, one tadpole at a time.”

About the Author:

Nadine Haruni is the author of her Freeda the Frog™ children’s book series, which addresses various real-life “stuff,” celebrates the different types of family situations, and helps kids know that they’re not alone. She frequently does book events, interviews and podcasts throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Nadine has gone through a divorce herself and is now the mother of five kids in a blended family. For more information, please visit: www.freedathefrog.com.

Freeda the Frog™

Mascot Books

Release date: June 2, 2020

ISBN 978-1645433859

Available at: https://www.amazon.com/Freeda-Mommas-Choice-Award-Winner/dp/ 1645433854/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Freeda+the+frog&qid =1589302640&s= books&sr=1-1