Through its main character Fred the Frog, this book illustrates a way to normalize fear, develop trust between parent and child, and to find courage through action. In the story, Fred finally trusts himself enough to leap but never reaches the lily pad on the other side. That is because this book celebrates Fred's success as a process that includes; allowing himself to be vulnerable, communicating his needs to a trusted adult, making an effort, and taking action that leads him to discover his inner strength.