Entertainment
22 February, 2026
Are there too many frogs?
A NEW children’s book raising the question of “Just how many frogs is too many?” will be launched in Smithfield later this month with a cinema event featuring its Cairns-based author Lachlann Carter and New York Times bestselling illustrator Douglas Holgate.
Mr Carter will launch ‘Big Trouble With Too Many Frogs’, the third book in his award-shortlisted ‘Big Trouble’ series, at Event Cinemas Smithfield on Saturday 28 February.
Joining him will be Mr Holgate, whose illustrations bring the story’s “increasingly questionable frog maths” to life. Mr Carter said the cinema format was a practical choice in Cairns and a chance to make the launch a live show for families.
“In Cairns, there’s only a couple of spaces for literary events to really happen,” Mr Carter said.
“The cinema is just a great venue for us to be able to turn this into like a live interactive experience.”
The special event will include a screening, live discussion, a drawing showdown and giveaways, as well as behind-the-scenes insight into how the author–illustrator team works together.
“We’ve got the big screen so we can do drawing up on the big screen,” Mr Carter said.
Mr Carter said the series was created with a strong visual style, which also contributed to its popularity as a read-aloud book.
Mr Holgate said the energy of the series came through in both text and design.
“There’s a lot of sound effects, there’s a lot of yelling and action,” he said. “They are loud books.”
Mr Carter said the new title started with a simple idea and built quickly.
“Blending humour, heart and escalating frog chaos, Too Many Frogs starts with a simple question and spirals from there,” he said.
“It’s perfect for anyone who’s ever lost count of something important.”
The event runs from 1.45pm to 3pm, with a 2pm start at Event Cinemas, Smithfield Shopping Centre.
Each group booking includes one copy of Big Trouble with Too Many Frogs at the discounted launch price of $13.50 and a creative activity pack for each child. All three books will be available on the day through Cairns Books, with Mr Holgate noting the duo will also be signing books after the event.
Ahead of the cinema launch, Mr Carter and Mr Holgate will also host a free professional session for teachers, librarians and creatives.
The event will take place on Friday 27 February from 4pm to 5pm at Cairns State High School library, with entry and exit via the Upward Street Gate near the Library.
Guided by Cairns State High School English teacher Catherine Hicks, the pair will discuss visual storytelling and their collaborative process, sharing insights into the literary industry and the development of the Big Trouble series.
The session is open to teachers, librarians, writers, artists, arts workers and anyone interested in the creative literary world. Attendance is free, with RSVPs required by 24 February.
Mr Carter said the community events were designed to engage both young readers and the adults who support them.
Registration for the 28 February event is at www.bit.ly/3ZEmj2G
