These are such big lessons that I really want to teach all the little people in my life.

Importantly they remind young readers to appreciate their unique individuality, and that selflessness, self control and sacrifice is part of making life enjoyable. The stories demonstrate the ups and downs of human (and amphibian) relationships and life in general. Like many children’s books from the 1960s & 1970s, Frog and Toad involves characters overcoming common problems which arise from vice activities…… like anger, envy, sloth, pride, and gluttony. Good lesson to mum: really don’t judge a book from its front cover!. Thankfully Arnold Lobel’s Frog & Toad is nothing like either of those titles (it’s much more funny and absurd) and I glad my daughter picked them up to read, even after my initial reluctance.

probably because the front cover looks like a cross between Little Bear Books (verging on boring) and Mr Toad from the century old Wind in the Willows (charmingly dull). I thought these books looked old fashioned, with dated pictures….

For a child who knows 1000 characters, these will be a fairly easy, yet thought provoking read. Each Frog and Toad book contains five short stories, originally written in English, and they’ve been translated equally beautifully into Simplified Chinese. This book set was actually the second set of non-picture books that my daughter read (the first bookset was Little Fox). The stories are endearing because Frog and Toad’s adventures are simple every day activities – going for a walk, reading, cooking, cleaning the house or tending a garden. In a way, they mirror the acclaimed Elephant & Piggie picture books, which also paint a loyal and compassionate animal friendship, but Frog and Toad is closer to a novel for a slightly more advanced reader. Frog is practical and sensible, whilst Toad is emotional and disorganised. Original language of publication: English Synopsis of Frog and ToadĪ frog and toad (conveniently named Frog and Toad) are an odd couple – very different personalities, but best pals. Total length of the book: ~2500 characters (about 500 characters in each chapter)Ĭharacters required by child to read it independently: 1000~1200 Number of books in set: 4 books, each with 5 chapters/stories in each

it’s perfect as an early chapter book for an emerging reader, with less pictures and more text. Frog and Toad (in Simplified Chinese) is a charming set of 4-books, which tells a timeless story of friendship, having been written over 50 years ago ….

Book about toad and frog