Frog and Toad Are Friends
The best book ever written for a child who is just learning to read, and it makes grown-ups cry.
Why they ask for it again
Toad is every anxious, grumpy kid who needs a patient friend. Children read it themselves, feel huge, and read it again.
Our review
Five short stories about two friends, one cheerful and one not. Toad will not get out of bed. Toad loses a button. Toad swims in a ridiculous bathing suit. And in "The Letter", Toad is sad because no one ever writes to him, so Frog writes him one and gives it to a snail to deliver. They sit on the porch and wait together.
That story alone is worth the price. Lobel works with a vocabulary a first-grader can handle, and he never once talks down. It is proof that you can write for new readers and create something a grown-up will remember for life.
How to read it aloud
Let your child read Frog while you do Toad, as grumpily as you can. Then swap. This is the best way to bring a new reader along.
The catch
It is slow-moving for kids who want action. Its gentle pace is exactly what makes it great, but not all kids will agree yet.
Is it scary?
Nothing scary at all. Toad's bad mood is as dark as it gets.
Books like Frog and Toad Are Friends, and what to read next
Charlotte's WebThe next great book about friendship, for reading aloud.
Moominland MidwinterAnother gentle, wise, odd book about friends.
Pippi LongstockingWhen they want their chapters to come with a lot more chaos.
Also good for
Quick answers
What age is Frog and Toad Are Friends for?
Ages 4–8. The sweet spot, in our opinion, is age 5 to 7.
How long does Frog and Toad Are Friends take to read aloud?
About 8 minutes at a calm bedtime pace, by our estimate. Allow longer if you do the voices.
Is Frog and Toad Are Friends scary?
Nothing scary at all. Toad's bad mood is as dark as it gets.
What should we read after Frog and Toad Are Friends?
We would suggest Charlotte's Web, Moominland Midwinter, Pippi Longstocking.