Our experience over the years in reading these stories with the young children at Bing has been compelling. These two friends experience the ups and downs of a real relationship, sometimes getting on each other’s nerves, but more often supporting, laughing with, and ultimately always being there for each other. Toad, on the other hand, can be stubbornly pragmatic, worrisome, sometimes easily frustrated (he is prone to confronting problems by taking to his bed), and often looks to Frog to help him through what Lobel called his “neuroses.” Though they are very different creatures, it is clear that they accept each other for who they are.

Frog is affable, thoughtful and somewhat unflappable, though he can at times be a bit condescending with his friend. The two protagonists in these books have personalities that permeate all 20 stories. The themes, language, warmth and humor found in these books continue to resonate with audiences to this day-these stories have not seemed to age. Though intended as a series for emerging K-2 readers, the books have become icons of quality children’s literature, with equal appeal as read-aloud picture books for nursery school children and timeless classics enjoyed by older children and adults. Frog and Toad Are Friends was the first volume of four that Lobel gifted the world over the next decade. Written and illustrated by an up-and-coming author, Arnold Lobel, the volume contained five charming stories that related the trials and tribulations of a genuine friendship. Gareth Matthews, 'The Philosophy of Childhood'įifty years ago, a small children’s book about the exploits of two dear companions, an anthropomorphic frog and toad, was published. Yet Frog and Toad, because of the utter simplicity of its vocabulary, counts as a primer, an “I Can Read” book.” His one-liners have the grace, humor and profundity of great poetry. “Arnold Lobel had a special genius for incorporating Socratic irony into his simplest children’s stories. Jon Scieszka, celebrated children’s author and former second grade teacher All in brilliantly limited vocabulary and sentence structure that kept me sane and entertained through no less than 4,785,421 readings with beginning readers.”

Frog and toad are friends illustrations