READ EXCERPT: 'Before You Leap,' by Kermit the Frog

Dec. 7, 2006 — -- Who better to write a self-help book than the most famous frog on Earth?

In "Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons," beloved Muppet Kermit the Frog imparts to readers the wisdom he's gained from his distinguished career.

Starting from humble beginnings in a family of more than 2,300, Kermit rose to the highest ranks of celebrity. Any person -- or frog -- can appreciate his heartfelt advice.

Never Say Croak -- A very, very old frog proverb

Hi ho! Kermit the Frog here! As you've probably guessed from the cover, the title, and all of these words, this is a book. Actually, it's two books. First, it's a book about my life. Second, it's a book about your life. Let me explain.

The first part of the book -- the part about my life -- tells the story of how I got here, from growing up in the swamp through my long career in Hollywood. (Call it an autobiography, if you must. The truth is we frogs have a real problem with any kind of autos, which is why street crossing is so stressful for your average amphibian.)

I've had a pretty extraordinary life so far. I've met kings, queens, presidents and pigs. I've worked with some of the greatest talents of all time -- from Bob Hope and Rudolph Nureyev to Quentin Tarantino and Robert DeNiro. I've made movies, TV shows, music, and the occasional tabloid headline ("Frog & Hog: The Photos You Really Didn't Want To See!"). And through it all, I've been surrounded by some of the finest friends and fans a frog could ever want. This is my chance to tell that story.

It's also an opportunity to answer a lot of questions: How did a tadpole like me, born one of 2,353 brothers and sisters, make his way from the obscure snake-infested swamps of his youth to the, uh, snake-infested swamps of Hollywood? Who helped me, who influenced me, and what did I learn along the way?

Most of all, it's a chance to set the record straight. Let's face it, a lot has been said about my life over the years, most of it by Miss Piggy and her publicist. Here, at long last, I get my say.