Today marks the start of a new series of posts where I will be reviewing and recommending various animal books that you and your children may find enjoyable. Rest assured, I will continue to write about the Burgess books, but there is a plethora of delightful children's stories centered around animals that deserve to be shared. These posts will feature both timeless classics and more recent releases. Whether you have a fondness for books from your own childhood or are on the lookout for new ones to introduce to your child or students, my aim is to present you with additional suggestions to nurture and cultivate the love for animals in our children's hearts (as well as our own).
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The Enduring Charm of Frog and Toad: Celebrating Arnold Lobel's Timeless Tales
Title: Frog and Toad Storybook Collection
Author: Arnold Lobel
Age Range: 4-8 years
Grade Level: PreK-3
No doubt you’ve heard of or already own the Frog and Toad books written by Arnold Lobel. This series of four books was republished into a treasury volume in 2013. The books include: Frog and Toad are Friends, Frog and Toad Together, Days with Frog and Toad, and Frog and Toad All Year (each are also sold separately on Amazon).
Arnold Lobel’s beloved Frog and Toad series has enchanted readers of all ages since the first book was published in 1970. With its delightful illustrations and heartwarming stories, the series captures the essence of friendship, adventure, and the simple joys of life.
The Heart of Friendship
At its core, Frog and Toad is a celebration of friendship. Frog, with his optimistic and gentle nature, balances Toad’s more cautious and sometimes grumpy demeanor. Their interactions offer readers a relatable glimpse into the ups and downs of companionship. Whether they’re sharing a lazy afternoon or embarking on whimsical adventures, their bond teaches valuable lessons about loyalty, understanding, and acceptance. Young readers learn about empathy and cooperation, while adults can find comfort in the nostalgia of friendship and shared experiences. Lobel’s writing transcends age, making it a cherished read for families to enjoy together. Their adventures remind us that life is best enjoyed with friends by our side, and that every day holds the potential for joy and discovery.
My Thoughts
I absolutely adored these books as a kid and introduced them early to my own kids. We had the audio version so we could listen in the car on long trips. They loved these stories!
Frog and Toad books include many opportunities to add character trait development into your reading lessons. I’ve mentioned some samples below (italicized words are the names of the chapters):
Kindness – The Surprise: Frog secretly rakes up the leaves in Toad’s yard while Toad does the same in Frog’s yard. By the time they both come back home, the wind has blown all the leaves out of the pile and across their yards again. Each one feels so glad the other will be surprised they won’t have to rake.
Orderliness – A List: Toad writes a list of all the things he wants to get done that day.
Patience – The Garden: Frog and Toad plant some seeds and Toad does all sorts of things to try and make them grow. With Frog’s help he soon realizes patience was the most important part!
Self Control – Cookies: Toad bakes some cookies and shares them with Frog. Neither of them can stop eating them so they try hiding them in order to avoid temptation.
Bravery – Dragons and Giants: Frog and Toad attempt to be brave by going out into the world and experiencing new things.
Tidiness – Tomorrow: Toad wants to rest but after realizing that there are many things to clean in his home, he decides it’s best to get them done and not procrastinate.
Acceptance/Uniqueness – A Swim: Toad wears a bathing suit to go swimming with Frog but is embarrassed when other animals want to see him in it. They won’t give up so Toad gets out of the water and they all laugh. He agrees with them that he does look silly, but by this point he has accepted it.
Resources for Teaching
“A Swim” activity sheet
25 Frog and Toad ideas and activities
Frog sensory bin
Frog and Toad are Friends literature trifold
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