Lobel, Arnold. Frog and Toad are Friends. 1st ed. NY NY: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1970. Print.
Frog and Toad are Friends
Frog and Toad are Friends is a series of short chapter stories telling of the characters’ simple misadventures and interactions. Although of similar species and only looking slightly different in drawings both Frog and Toad have different and somewhat clashing personalities; they do not always get along since frog is more adventurous and Toad is a more stubborn and cautious individual. I think the best idea that children can take from these vignettes is that mistakes between people should never be nor should be taken seriously. Such as when frog and the other forest animals laugh at Toad’s bathing suit for being weird as he indeed stated, he did not become angry at their mistakenly harsh reaction but instead bashfully bore it as the story ended. The illustrations although simple and not colored with a wide palate still included character’s full of expression and helped match the light hearted tales; when Toad finds out that his button fell off his jacket before he even went on his walk with Frog his concern is plain just as is Frog’s joy as he leaps into the air with his new jacket covered in different buttons from Toad.
I like these stories simply because it revolves around a mutually respectful friendship and teaches principles of forgiveness, accepting embarrassment and how far simple kindness can go. The vocabulary is simple enough that children could take turns reading in a group with teacher supervision. Or, because of the book’s theme of friendship, this would be a good book to highlight for Valentine’s Day.
Review:
Weidler, Mary. "Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel -- Book Review." Common Sense Media. Common Sense Media Inc., 29 Jan 2011. Web. 29 Jan 2011. .
Mary Dixon Weidler wrote on the website for CommonSense “Even though the characters are fictional, the feelings they share (and convey to their young readers) are very real, and the care they show for one another and the world around them stands as a good example of behavior. Children seem to relate strongly to these tales. In response to "The Letter," in which Frog becomes Toad's pen pal to fulfill his friend's desire for mail, one boy said, "I never get mail either! That is sad!" The themes of friendship and growing up seem to resonate strongly--even if they're expressed by amphibians.”
Bunnicular: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery
Howe, Deborah, and James Howe. Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery. 1st ed. NY NY: Avon Books, 1980. Print.
Harold the hound narrates this entire tale including the editor’s note to the publisher. One day his family returns early from the movie theatre with none other than a small rabbit – indeed a bunny. After the two boys and two parents finally decide on the name “Bunnicula” since they found him in the room where the movie “Dracula” was showing that night and all the human occupants settle in for the night Chester – Harold’s feline counterpart – finds something amiss about their new addition. Not only does he sleep during the day but after his arrival there becomes a rash of drained vegetables on the premise. Chester takes on the role of Van Helsing to exterminate the fluffy intruder however Harold is more hesitant – after all even human’s neck on yellow squash. Both Chester and Harold’s antics are well illustrated by Alan Daniel’s humorous sketches which bring more humanity to the pets than to the family thereby placing them center stage. Harold’s voice of common sense help children to stay grounded in the hapless mystery of events while giving first person suspense and humor.
I like this book not only because my sister read it to me years ago but because it illustrates the difference in opinion and through that the different sides there are to each story. Also Chester’s repeated overreactions are placed a rather harmless but buffoonish light which encourages the practice of waiting for more facts before jumping to conclusions. Although the story is named after the rabbit he is a rather passive character and mild-mannered Harold is required to work outside his comfortable range to save the day. I think this book would be great to highlight for Halloween or to read as a class.
Review:
List, S. K. "Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery." Common Sense Media. Common Sense Media Inc., 29 Jan 2011. Web. 29 Jan 2011.
S. K. List wrote “…kids with even a smidgeon of attraction to horror will gobble this book up. And for over 20 years, they already have… The lighthearted inspiration that led Deborah and James Howe to almost daydream this book into reality shines through its pages, charming and amusing the reader. The intelligent Chester and his down-to-earth chum, Harold, go their separate ways over the dangers the fanged bunny brings into their home. But their differences are resolved in the end, with the vampire mystery lingering just enough to support … a sequel. (Several of them!)”
