Purpose
Frog and Toad Together tells the story of the adventures of two best friends, Frog and Toad. Lobel wrote the book to explore the theme of friendship and the importance of companionship in our lives. Throughout the book, Frog and Toad demonstrate their love and affection for each other in various ways. They engage in activities such as taking walks, swimming, and having picnics together. However, they also face challenges, such as Toad losing his list of things to do or Frog struggling to keep Toad from eating too many cookies (Lobel, 2022). The book illustrates how friends support and help each other through difficulties, demonstrating the value of true friendship.
The author wrote on this subject to share his understanding of the importance of friendship in children’s lives. Children often struggle to make friends; when they do, they may not know how to maintain those friendships. The book provides a model of a healthy and supportive friendship for children to follow. The short stories in the book also help children understand the complexities of relationships and the various ways to tackle the challenges of friendships.
The book also explores other important themes, such as responsibility, self-control, and kindness. The author seeks to teach children the importance of being responsible, such as when Toad makes a list of things to do or when Frog teaches Toad to have self-control around cookies (Lobel, 2022). Young readers also learn about the essence of kindness, such as when the Frog shows concern for Toad’s feelings when he loses his list or when Toad gives the Frog a thoughtful gift. Frog and Toad is a timeless classic that continues to captivate children and adults, reminding us of the joys of having a true and loyal friend.
Summary
Arnold Lobel sought to achieve several goals while writing the book. He intended to create relatable and endearing characters that would capture the hearts of young readers. Frog and Toad are distinct characters with individual personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. Frog is the most outgoing and confident of the two, while Toad is shy and timid (Lobel, 2022). Children can easily relate to both characters’ different traits and experiences, making them invested in the story.
The author aimed to develop stories that would teach children essential life lessons. Each story in the book has a valuable lesson to teach, such as the importance of honesty, patience, and perseverance. Lobel conveys these lessons engagingly, which is easy for children to understand and remember. Lobel created a book that encourages children to read independently. Frog and Toad feature short stories with large print and plenty of illustrations, making it easy for young readers to follow along. The author wrote the book in simple and straightforward language that is accessible to children who are starting to read on their own.
The author’s writing exhibits coherence and conciseness. An example of a phrase from the story “The Garden” that illustrates both of these standards of writing is: “The garden was full of flowers. Frog and Toad went from flower to flower. ‘This is a nice garden,’ said Frog. ‘Yes,’ said Toad. ‘And we are the best of friends’” (Lobel, 2022, 04:32). In this passage, Lobel creates a coherent and descriptive scene of the garden, making it easy for young readers to visualize the setting. Additionally, the short sentences and simple vocabulary make it easy for children to understand. The author’s use of concise and imaginative language allows young readers to follow the action, while the originality of the characters and the stories captures their minds.
Relevance
Frog and Toad is a children’s fiction book for early and beginning readers. The personification of the Frog and the Toad creates an engaging experience for early readers. Additionally, the language and vocabulary of the writing are simple, making it accessible to young beginner readers. The design of each story in the book is tailored to teach young readers a moral lesson in themes such as friendship, problem-solving, and the importance of honesty and loyalty in relationships. Lastly, the author uses colorful illustrations that complement the text, helping to enhance the story’s meaning and add to its overall appeal to young readers.
Reaction
The book touched me deeply because it brought back fond memories of a childhood friend and the manner in which we always used to spend our time together, whether we were eating, playing, or sleeping, among other activities. During competitions with other youngsters, we would even protect and support and stand up for one another. My conviction that cultivating friendships through acts of selflessness and compassion is essential to the growth of any relationship was reaffirmed by reading this book.
References
Lobel, A. (2022). Frog and Toad Together [Video]. YouTube. Web.