Tadpole Summer
Published on 7. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-83994-652-3 (ISBN)
Description
From the multi-award-winning author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria, comes a story of sibling love and loss, healing and hope.
"Catherine is a wonderful storyteller" - Phil Earle
Frog has always known her younger brother Tad is unwell. He has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (called SMA-PME for short) but that has never been an obstacle for their unbreakable bond. They share a room and do everything together, Frog happy to do whatever Tad needs.
But when Tad is taken into hospital, Frog finds it difficult to be in their bedroom alone and starts camping in the garden. She only plans to be there while Tad is away but she finds an unexpected calm amongst the sounds and smells of nature and a space of her own that she's never had before.
When Tad comes up, their bedroom has to change to accommodate all his hospital equipment and Frog isn't sure where she fits in their family anymore. She retreats back into the garden, using the excuse of a sponsored camp out for charity. But as Tad's condition worsens, Frog needs to face the truth that she may not have much longer with him.
Working to bring the small wonders of the natural world to Tad, can Frog find a way to make this last summer together unforgettable?
More beautiful stories by Catherine Bruton:
No Ballet Shoes in Syria, Nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2020
Bird Boy, Nero Book Awards Shortlist for Children's Fiction 2024
Following Frankenstein
Another Twist in the Tale
"Catherine is a wonderful storyteller" - Phil Earle
Frog has always known her younger brother Tad is unwell. He has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (called SMA-PME for short) but that has never been an obstacle for their unbreakable bond. They share a room and do everything together, Frog happy to do whatever Tad needs.
But when Tad is taken into hospital, Frog finds it difficult to be in their bedroom alone and starts camping in the garden. She only plans to be there while Tad is away but she finds an unexpected calm amongst the sounds and smells of nature and a space of her own that she's never had before.
When Tad comes up, their bedroom has to change to accommodate all his hospital equipment and Frog isn't sure where she fits in their family anymore. She retreats back into the garden, using the excuse of a sponsored camp out for charity. But as Tad's condition worsens, Frog needs to face the truth that she may not have much longer with him.
Working to bring the small wonders of the natural world to Tad, can Frog find a way to make this last summer together unforgettable?
More beautiful stories by Catherine Bruton:
No Ballet Shoes in Syria, Nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2020
Bird Boy, Nero Book Awards Shortlist for Children's Fiction 2024
Following Frankenstein
Another Twist in the Tale
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 9 to 12 years
Dimensions
Height: 194 mm
Width: 125 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
238 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-83994-652-3 (9781839946523)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Catherine Bruton studied English at Oxford University and has been juggling life as a teacher, children's author and mum for the past fifteen years. As an English teacher she sees first hand the impact stories can have on young readers - opening their eyes, expanding their horizons, making them ask questions and see the world differently. Her books tackle some of the big issues faced by young people today - terrorism, immigration, the cult of celebrity, the refugee crisis - in ways that are heart-breaking, often hilarious, but invariably hopeful. As her alter-ego Cate Shearwater, she is also the author of the much-loved Somersaults and Dreams series.