Frog and Toad All Year (1976)

One of four Frog and Toad story collections from Arnold Lobel - companion volumes include Frog and Toad Are Friends, Frog and Toad Together and Days with Frog and Toad - this charming beginning reader was (along with the other three books) a girlhood favorite of mine, and when I return to the world of those two amphibian friends, as an adult, it is with the happy feeling of coming home. In five brief selections, we see Frog dragging a very reluctant Toad out of the house one snowy Winter day, to go sledding (Down the Hill); we listen to the tale of Frog's childhood search for Spring, when he was "not much bigger than a pollywog" (The Corner); and we accompany Toad as he sets out on an ill-fated journey to provide his friend with a treat, one hot summer day (Ice Cream). The Surprise, set in October, as the leaves are falling, sees each of the two friends performing a kind deed for the other; while Christmas Eve brings the collection full-circle, with a worried Toad imagining that Frog has experienced some mishap in the snow, on his way to their holiday celebration.

These Frog and Toad stories have such charm! I am always won over by Lobel's understated sense of humor, and by his sensitive appreciation for the complexities of friendship between two very different characters. It doesn't hurt that his artwork is so very appealing, with its simple lines and colors, and drolly expressive faces, either! I was particularly struck, during this latest reread, by the similarities between Down the Hill, which sees a grumpy Toad returning home to his warm bed, and The Cookies (found in Frog and Toad Together), in which he grouchily returns home to bake a cake! Christmas Eve also stood out to me, with Toad's determination (even if occasioned by some rather silly worries) to rescue his friend. All in all, a wonderful book for beginning readers, one I recommend to little frogs and toads everywhere! ( )

week 27

I feel as though this book will give kids more confidence. It's more along the lines of a chapter book, but an easy read. All frog and toad books, I feel are read aloud books for students, allowing them to be able to read in class but not so much with hard difficulty. Frog and toad are friends that do everything together. They are simple reading books with great understanding. ( )

This is a lovely early chapter book exploring different elements of the four seasons through the joys and surprises of a friendship betwee a frog and toad. Ever positive Frog convinces his fried Toad to leave the warmth of his bed to go sledding with him and enjoy the winter weather. When frog falls off the sled and Toad is left to steer by himself and eventually crashes, he decides staying in bed on a cold day is better after all. In fall Frogand Toad try to surprise each other by raking the pile of leaves in each other's yard while the other is away. Unfortunately, the wind blows both piles of leaves astray but unaware of this both Frog and Toad go to bed happy knowing they have done their friend a favor.

Frog and Toad are the most selfless, caring friends. This story takes them through all the season of the year and all their adventures. The story ends with them sharing Christmas Eve together. The two of them are inseparable. This book is great for new readers. ( )