Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel has been reviewed and is part of the “Frog and Toad” series.
Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel has been reviewed and is part of the “Frog and Toad” series.
Frog and Toad are best friends who spends most days together. In chapter one, Toad makes a list of all the things he plans to do that day. As he accomplishes his tasks, like eating breakfast and getting dressed, he crosses them off the list. When he and Frog take a walk, the list blows out of his hand. Toad is annoyed and frustrated because he can’t remember what he’s supposed to do. As it starts to get dark, Frog notes they should probably be going to sleep. Toad is excited because he remembers that was on his list. The two fall asleep on a rock.
In the next story, Toad admires Frog’s garden. Frog gives his friend some flower seeds, and Toad goes home to plant them. When they don’t grow right away, he yells at them. Frog says the plants are probably afraid to grow because of the yelling. Toad begins to nurture them by setting out candles, reading poems and stories, and playing music for them. The seeds finally start to sprout, and Toad notes that growing things is hard work.
In chapter three, Frog and Toad find themselves eating too many of the cookies Toad baked. They try to hide the cookies from themselves but then they find them. Finally, they feed the cookies to the birds. Frog praises himself and Toad for their willpower, and Toad says he is going home to bake a cake.
After reading a story about brave people fighting dragons, Frog and Toad wonder if they are brave. They climb a mountain and evade a snake. They run from an avalanche and a large hawk. Back at Toad’s house, they praise each other for their bravery, though they are now cowering in closets and hiding under covers.
Toad has a dream in the final chapter. He is standing on a stage in costume with Frog in the audience. Each time Toad performs the perfect song or dance, Frog becomes smaller. When Toad looks out from the stage and can no longer see his friend, he realizes how lonely he is. He discovers fame means nothing without Frog at his side. When he wakes up, he’s happy to see his friend in the room, waiting for him.
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