Module 2: Frog and Toad Together

Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel

Summary: Frog and Toad become better friends, and have many adventures together as they try to decide what to do when Toad's list blows away, watch for seeds to grow, try to resist the temptation of cookies, and test whether or not they are brave. 

APA Reference: Lobel, A. (1972). Frog and toad together. New York, NY: Harper & Row.

Impressions: Adults should not settle for a boring early reader, when they could chose one of the many Frog and Toad books.  Not only will this book be humorous to children, but adults will find it hard not to be amused when Frog believes his seeds grow because he sings, reads, and plays music for them; or, when Frog and Toad go on adventure to be brave and then return to be brave while hiding under the covers and in the closet.  This will also be the perfect springboard to teaching children about different concepts such as will power, and what it means to be brave; and, the short easy chapters provide a great resource for helping children start to transition from early readers to chapter books. 

Professional Review:
Preschool-Gr. 2. This sequel to Frog and load Are Friends (HarperCollins, 1970) features five stories that demonstrate the enduring quality of the two animals' friendship, whether they are sitting and doing nothing, growing gardens, exercising willpower, testing their courage, or dreaming of grandeur. The softly colored illustrations in this I Can Read Book are a perfect complement. Days with Frog and Toad (HarperCollins, 1979) continues the amphibian friendship and fun tor early readers. 

Suen, A. (2006, July). [Review of the book Frog and toad together, by A. Lobel]. Book links, 15, 57-57. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/offices/publishing/booklist/booklinks

 Library Uses: Read parts, or the entire book to introduce a science unit about frogs and toads.  Have a local museum bring in a real frog and toad, along with other amphibians to help those attending the program learn more about amphibians.  The chapter on seeds could be read before teaching children about plants and what makes them grow.  An activity could follow where the children get to plant their own seeds.