Frog and Toad Together

The second of Arnold Lobel's four Frog and Toad story collections for beginning readers - the first being the Caldecott Honor Book Frog and Toad Are Friends, and the third and fourth being Frog and Toad All Year and Days with Frog and Toad - this delightful little volume, together with its three companions, was one of my reading staples, as a young girl. Like all the Frog and Toad books, it contains five brief tales, each of which highlights some important characteristic of one or both of its amphibian heroes, and each of which benefits from Lobel's uniquely understated sense of humor, compassionate eye for the (very human) foibles of his subjects, and appealing artwork.

In A List, we see the dangers of becoming too inflexible about our show more plans and routines, when Toad makes a list of things to do one day, and then, finding himself deprived of that list by the wind, refuses to do anything at all! The Garden follows Toad as, determined to have a beautiful garden like Frog, he impatiently waits for his seeds to grow, trying everything he can, from playing his violin to haranguing them, to hurry their germination along. Cookies offers a hilarious examination of will power and indulgence, as Frog and Toad discuss the necessity of putting away the cookies they are enjoying, all while they continue to eat. The 'successful' solution supplied by Frog ends up a temporary measure, at best! Inspired by the fairy-tales they have been reading, Frog and Toad set out to explore in Dragons and Giants, encountering a number of terrifying dangers - everything from snakes to avalanches - and insisting (even as they flee and hide) that they are not afraid. Finally, Toad's fantasies of being the best (and of showing up his friend) lead to unexpected - but thankfully unreal - results in The Dream.

As always, when rereading one of these classics of beginning-reader literature, I am struck by the immense authorial skill it takes to accomplish so much - to communicate such subtle nuances of emotion; to explore, both humorously and compassionately, the vagaries of personality, and of human (I mean amphibian!) friendship - with such a limited vocabulary. It's simply astonishing! Unlike the earlier Frog and Toad book, which won a Caldecott Honor for its artwork, Frog and Toad Together was awarded a Newbery Honor for its text - one of the few early readers that can boast that distinction - and it not difficult to see why! Of course, the artwork is also immensely appealing (as is always the case with Lobel), making this an ideal title for young children just getting going with independent reading. Highly recommended, to all young frog and toads (I was, and still am more of a Toad than a Frog) looking for good books! show less

This book has 5 chapters but each chapter is a different story. This is a very cute book that goes through the life and friendship of Frog and Toad. The chapters are short and this is a good book for beginners to read. They also have lessons to be learned as Frog and Toad's friendship grows.

I remember reading Frog and Toad books when I was younger. I personally loved “A List” and “Cookies” from this book. They are very innocent and cute stories. I feel like I can relate to Toad more because he’s so silly and he thinks of the craziest things.

In the classroom, I would read “A List” and have the students make up their own list of things to do for the day. They would make one for the school day and one for the weekend. Then, show more on Monday we would talk about their lists and if they completed all the tasks. Also, I would read “Cookies” and talk to the students about will power and let them share their experiences when they expressed will power. show less

Read this, then go find your good friend and spend the afternoon together. That is what all the stories are about. I especially liked the last one, in which Toad has a nightmare that he becomes more and more famous and special, as frog shrinks to nothingness. Lobel lets his young readers draw their own conclusions about the meaning. But what a relief when he wakes up to find his friend okay after all.

I really like this series, it has lovely art. I'm really weirded out by the messed up friendship elements in places though.

A Newberry honor, and a deserving one. This sits apart from the schlock of most early reader series with honest, forthright writing and a wry sense of humor.

"'... we have lots and lots of will power,," says frog. "'you may keep it all, Frog,' said toad. 'I'm going home now to bake a cake.'"

I think I like the first one even better. But this is the one honored by the Newbery committee so this is the one I read this month, for the discussion in the Children's Books group.

I like that the stories are both silly and profound, with the balance moving from more silliness to more subtle Literary value by the end of the book.

I just reminded my son, currently in training to be a math professor, of them. He says "Of course I remember them. My favorites. Absolute classics."

Frog and Toad books are such a nostalgic treat! My children enjoy them as much as I did as a child.