Reviews (2)

Trouble Comes In A Bunch (Of Grapes!)
Looking for a new planet to picnic on, Commander Toad and the crew of STAR WARTS descend to the planet and immediately discover that everywhere they step giant purple grapes sprout up. In no time at all, Commander Toad, Doc Peeper, Lieutenant Lily, and Mr. Hop are swallowed up by the giant purple grapes and are telling some of the worst grape jokes in the universe! And it looks like there's no way out!

Jane Yolen is an award-winning children's book author as well as a writer of adult science fiction and fantasy. She's earned the Caldecott-given for the most distinguished picture book, the Nebula-given to the most distinguished writing in the field of science fiction and fantasy, the Golden Kite-given by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and the World Fantasy Award. She's written seven Commander Toad Adventures, including COMMANDER TOAD AND THE LONG VOYAGE HOME, COMMANDER TOAD AND THE PLANET OF THE GRAPES, COMMANDER TOAD AND THE SPACE PIRATES, and COMMANDER TOAD AND THE BIG BLACK HOLE. With dozens of books written in many genres, Jane Yolen is a great author to introduce to young readers.

COMMANDER TOAD AND THE PLANET OF THE GRAPES is an absolute blast to read out loud to young readers or pre-readers. The short, descriptive sentences push the story along at a frantic and fun pace, and the color and black and white illustrations are great fun for a young audience.

With all the interest young kids today have in space-based programs on Cartoon Network, books like the Commander Toad series will bridge the gap between movies, video games, and the written word. Jane Yolen is an exemplary entertainer for young readers and parents willing to endorse the habit of reading.

The planet is allergic to frogs and toads!
This is another silly outer-space book in the Commander Toad series, which my sons, ages 4 and 8, thoroughly ENJOY. In _Planet of the Grapes_, the crew arrives on an unknown planet only to discover that it grows huges grapes the moment they touch their feet to its surface.

Due to a chance accident with a loaded syringe, Doc Peeper with the green grass hair discovers that the planet is allergic to *them*. It is Lieutenant Lily's sneezes which give him the clue. He was about to inject her with antihistamine, which is the reason for the syringe.

Complicated plot, lots of funny stuff. These books are enjoyable to both kids and adults. ... Read more

Book Description

In both Spanish and English, two tiny mice express their love in big terms. On a walk together, the mice learn that their love is bigger than 1 bear, taller than 2 giraffes, larger than 3 blue whales. As they count from 1 to 10, the mice discover that their love is greater than anything they can imagine. Siempre. Forever.

Charming collage illustrations and pages sturdy enough for even the littlest hands make this counting story ideal for sharing. ... Read more

Book Description

Rosi Coquí's brother finds magic everywhere! Rafi Coquí can sort sand with his magic fingers. He can shoot the stars from the sky. He can even find the smallest tree in the forest -- growing down, not up. Then one day Rafi's pet hermit crab runs away. Now it's Rosi's turn to show her brother that she knows where to look for magic, too. Can she find the crab in time for them to watch it shed its shell?

This joyful tale of two curious young Puerto Rican tree frogs is charmingly illustrated in brilliant color by acclaimed author and artist Lulu Delacre. Young readers will especially enjoy sounding out a sprinkling of easy Spanish words that add flavor to the story.

Reviews (1)

The Cutest Frogs since Frog&Toad
Rafi and Rosi have a charming sibling relationship in which Rafi is the wise older brother who tricks Rosi into believing that he can perform magic. Of course, these various supernatural feats turn out to be scientific facts regarding magnetism, bioluminescence, and plant growth. The scientific aspect of the story appeals to young readers who may feel that they're being let in on a 'grown-up' secret and adds an educational twist to the book that appeals to parents and teachers.

I particularly enjoy the tender and spunky characterization of Rafi and Rosi. Rosi is naive and trusting, but she also angers when her brother tricks her, and reveals a personal strength in the last chapter, thus making her a typically complex 5 year old. She also has the delicate manners of Shirley Temple without the contrived sweetness. Rafi is a boastful know-it-all, but he genuinely loves Rosi, and this affection comes through in the light-filled illustrations.

In fact, one of the great strengths of this book is its gorgeous pictorial execution. Many easy readers have repetitive layouts, but Delacre's pushes the boundaries of the format and includes richly detailed stories within the illustrations. Looking through the pictures is a delight that immerses the reader in brilliant tropical colors and scenes.

This is my favorite of Delacre's books. The stories are entertaining, the characters are well-developed, and Puerto Rico is beautifully shown in the illustrations. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The BEST intergalactic toad book I have ever read.
This book really fills a big black hole in modern literature. The subject of toads in space has been constantly avoided, mishandled, and disregarded since the publication of Ivan Rabinavski's "Why Toads could never make it on the moon." Jane Yolen places the space-toad in its proper perspective in a beautiful and meaningful manner, pulling no punches and using no foul language. I loved it ... Read more

Reviews (1)

"Great Story for All Ages!"
Max Lucado's Hermie the Common Caterpillar series is quickly becoming a favorite in our house. This sturdy board book is perfectly sized for my daughters, ages 4 and 2. Hermie's questions quickly engage young minds as he himself introduces and concludes the story of a mean ol' frog who bullies some chicken-hearted ants. Illustrations are colorful and lifelike. Based on the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17), Lucado reminds us that "the real hero is God." I also recommend the recently released Rock, Roll, and Run by the same author. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

All you need is love
This must be it : the greatest love-story ever written. Any age ! Love can't be love without a violin playing frog...

What a great love story!
As a teacher, this book is a great way to start discussions of difference and sensitivity with my class. A great love story for any age! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Toad Rules!
I love these books! Toad is innovative and problem solves his way through. If you have any of these books pay attention to the yellow duck, it becomes a game to my son to find the duck!
This whole series is great for all children from 18 months to beginning reading. It rolls when reading to your children the art is whimsical and the stories have some plot and are focused on problem solving together. It is the phonics and the rhyming that you will love, and they are short enough to keep you and your childs attention.

Toad makes a road
Both my sons really enjoy this book. It is a cute story about a frog that buys a house and discovers since it is on a hill only his friend goat can come up to the house. He sets out to build a road so the moving truck and all his friends can come to his new house. The book has great pictures, fold out pages and since it's easy to read it keeps their attention throughout the whole book. ... Read more

Book Description

Bently Hopperton is an artistic frog, pressed into egg-sitting by his friend Kack Kack the Duck. Bently can't resist painting Kack Kack's egg, and thanks to his dazzling brushwork, his charge is soon mistaken for an Easter egg and kidnapped. How Bently gets the egg back to the nest, and what happens when Kack Kack returns, proves to be an adventure of a lifetime for a young frog."Bently is miffed when his friend Kack Kack the duck ignores him to brood in her nest. After she leaves him in charge of her single egg, Bently decides to paint it. [But] when a boy mistakes it for an Easter egg and runs off with it, Bently knows his duty. . . . A book that revels in the joys of spring and song, friendship and fatherhood, and the spirit of adventure . . . a classic tour de force." —H.

Notable Children's Books of 1993 (ALA)
Best Books of 1992 (SLJ)
100 Books for Reading and Sharing 1992 (NY Public Library) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Make This a Movie!
I agree with the reader from Virginia--reading this I pictured it as a movie. Totally delightful and imaginative.

NOT AT HIS BEST
I am a big fan of William Joyce's work. He has such a wonderful style and tells such great, imaginative stories. This early work from him isn't one of my favorites though. It's a cute story, but the illustrations, the true stars of his books, are a bit different than what he normally does. The illustrations are too light or something. Still the character desings are cute and it's well worth the price of purchase but it's just not as satisfying as his other works.

My favorite children's book! (My daughter's too!)
This children's book is exquisitely told and drawn. My almost-six year old daughter and almost-four year old son also love it. Every time I read it, I wonder why they don't make children's movies like this book. I would so much rather take my children to see this book in film version than to another Disney film. This is the kind of story children and parents can get lost in together. And I can't say enough about the illustrations--I laugh every time I see Bentley smiling down at the screaming lady from atop her easter bonnet! I give this book my highest recommendation.

delicate and charming
the book is very well illustrated. it tells a lovely tale of the right to make mistakes, and the way to mend them - all in good humor and fine understanding of a child's worry confronting mistakes! loved it! got it! ... Read more

Book Description

9 X 10 1/2 In, 32 Pp, Full-Color < Illustrations Throughout, Ages 4-8 < Last Seen Hopping A Stage. . . Coach and < Finding His Hop, Our Hero Is Now On A < Eye-Popping Eating Binge Trying To Cure < His Insatiable Appetite. < Woven Through The Western Town of < Ravenous Gulch, The Story Leaves A Cast < of Many Hopping Mad. However, Just As < Things Look Bleak, Transitive and < Intravsitive Verbs Turn The Tables and < Take Bullfrog On Another Adventure. < As Bullfrog's Appetite and Waistline < Grow, The Townsfolk Can't Help But < Gather. . . Food For Bullfrog. < Will Bullfrog Hang. . . Those Pictures Back < Up? < Will The Townfolk Gather. . . Food For < Bullfrog? < Will Bullfrog Pop. . . ? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An original and highly recommended little tale!
Living in the old western town of Ravenous Gulch, Bullfrog gets hungry (very, very hungry!) and goest on an eating binge that leaves a lot of people very upset with him! As Bullfrog's appetite and waistline expand he makes a mess of the town. The townsfolk call upon the sheriff who decides to take matters in hand. Chris McAllister's artwork is a perfect complement to each page in Rick Walton's novel and highly recommended little tale, and the pages end as a cliff hangers with a radically different meaning shown on the next page.

Jump at the opportunity to read this book aloud!
I am a children's storyteller, at my last reading, the children chose this book because of the front cover, and loved it all the way through the back cover. The Illustrations command a smile, and the story is great to perform (imitate a bullfrog if you can, kids love it!) this is my favorite of Rick Walton's books. The story has a wonderful chase atmosphere, a 'froggy' version of the "Gingerbread Man." The kids loved the names the Bullfrog was being called as he was gobbling up everything in site: 'Pickle-Skinned Pizza Theif,' 'Canyon-Mouthed Fruit Catcher,' 'Loaf-Liftin Cousin to a Grasshopper.' I read a lot of stories to children...this one was a joy. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Outstanding Phonics

This book is about a frog that sits on a log by the bog. He suddenly jumps over the bog with one big hop and starts to jog. When the frog stops jogging it's foggy outside and a dog appears. The dog starts running and bumps into the log causing the frog to fall off the log. Frog gets up and gets back onto his log and along comes Pig through the fog. Pig is looking for the dog, but he bumps into frog's log causing frog to fall into the bog. The next day its sunny and frog straps himself onto the log, Pig and dog push the log and it falls into the bog with Frog tied to it.


This book would be wonderful to teach children about phonics and the different sounds. You could use this book to teach children about regular phonics and irregular phonics. This book forces children to sound out the words and since the words rhyme it makes it easier to figure out the difficult ones. This short book can also be used to teach kids to pay attention to details. It could be used as a game to see who could find the duck on each page the fastest. This book can also be used to teach beginner readers about sequence of events. After reading the book you could have each child draw pictures in the order of how the story happened which would also teach the children creativity and art. This book can be used to teach kids about the letter y and all its different alternate endings such as ie and the i sound. This book can teach children about several different endings such as "ed" as an alternate ending for the "t" sound and ow as an alternate ending for the "ou" sound.


This book is wonderful to teach children about rhyming words and phonics. I like how it gives information about phonics at the beginning of the book. It also provides a page at the back of the book that goes more into the irregular words that the reader will find within the book. It gives a list of the words and provides some details about how to sound the word out. The pictures are colorful and fun to look at. The illustrator also adds a small yellow duck to every picture that the reader is supposed to find. This provides the reader with some entertainment before, during, and after reading this book. This is a great book for children just learning how to read and I would love to use this book in my classroom someday.

Great Books!
All of the Easy Words To Read series are fantastic for children just learning phonics. My reading delayed and dyslexic students finally have something fun to read. Great illustrations, nice little story line and best of all, they are made up of mostly phonetic words that repeat. This repeation and phonetic approach is of major importance when instructing young readers with reading difficulties. I use these books with my private students and in the early grades in the primary school where I run a volunteer reading program. I hope that more of the same will soon be on the market. ... Read more

Book Description

For over four hundred years listeners have raptly followed the adventures of Froggy as he woos his true love, Miss Mouse, and prepares for the wedding to follow.This popular romantic ballad is freshly translated into lyrical text and illustrated with delicate art in this exquisite new edition - a confection as delightful as sweetheart cake.

You'll meet Uncle Rat, a turtledove who brings her love, a bumblebee, a nimble flee, and all the others who gather to celebrate this most musical of marriages.

Metallic gold type sets off wispy, finely detailed illustrations. The musical tale unfolds in four romantic vignettes:~ The Courtship, The Proposal, The Wedding, and The Honeymoon~

This charming edition offers numerous opportunities - to express intentions, gift wedding parties, enhance romantic gatherings, celebrate anniversaries, or give as a love token. ... Read more

Book Description

Children can use the latex finger puppet to act out this heart-warming story about a little frog who is trying to find his way home. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great for story time!
My toddler loved it. His pre-school teacher read it to him. He enjoyed the story so much he asked me to buy it for him. The story is easy for toddlers to follow and there are a bunch of opportunities to ask kids deeper questions regarding the story. Great pictures too. ... Read more

Book Description

Stanley has entered a kite-flying contest. But he's having some trouble-his kite won't fly! During a visit with some clever bald eagles, Stanley learns that "practice makes perfect," and soon he's a kite-flying champ! ... Read more

Book Description

Fred and his friend, Frieda, are two frogs that love to race around their pond. Pop out Fred and Frieda then fit them into the slots on their lily pads for splash-filled floatable fun! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

"We love it"
Our 1 year old son got this book as a birthday gift and it was a winner. The colorfull shapes are easy to put in to place and he can associate the shapes and the colors very easilly. It is a great bath toy as well, he loves the fact that we can read a book during his bath time! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

totally adorable....
This beautifully illustrated book is about a frog that is concerned with his diet. Every page is filled with action and adventure for this little guy who asks the question, "Do you know what I can eat?" He asks every animal that he meets and they send him on a wild goose chase. He starts off by asking a Long-eared bat, who sends him to ask the owl, who sends him to ask the opossums, then the deer, then the egret, and so on. The final animal that the frog talks to is the alligator that tries to eat him. This book was full of action and it introduces the young reader to the different types of animals that can be found in the Okefenokee Swamp. Another book that I had to read repeatedly to my daughter.

Fun Filled Educational Frog Tale
School age children will be introduced to obscure Okefenokee Swamp animals and their diets, as they travel through lush swamplands with "The Wide-Mouthed Frog". Young & old readers will be enchanted with this magnificent tale and its surprise ending. ... Read more

Book Description

Frog friends, Matty and Moe, are off with a "Ready, Set, Hop!" They both made it to the rock, but who's in the lead? If Matty hopped 5 hops and Moe hopped 2 more hops than Matty, then the score is 5 to 7. But then they're off again. Any child who can add or subtract can build a simple equation, and Matty and Moe make it fun. As readers count along with Stuart J. Murphy and Jon Buller they will sharpen their problem solving skills and find out which frog is the better hopper.

... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. "Where are we going? We don't know. We don't care. We

just go!" say Toad and his friends as they take to the road in this

freewheeling adventure about the joys of independence. "This beginning reader

combines simple dialogue and appealing color pictures. Though the text is

minimal, there's enough story here to hook new readers."--Booklist.




... Read more

Reviews (5)

Good for Toddlers too!
Both of my toddlers love the adventures of Toad. The vivid illustrations and rhyming text engage the 1-3 year olds as well. Young children who spend any amount of time with their parents in a car love to see the familiar sights in Toad On The Road: traffic lights, the gas station, the car wash. Cuddle up with your toddler today and read this classic!

Fun, fun, fun
This was- without a doubt- my preschooler's favorite book. The rhymes are lyrical, easy to pronounce, and contemporary. I prefer the "real" words in this book to Dr. Seuss' "made up" words. No snoozly wufflepumphs here- just a story of an enthusiastic toad with a a new car sharing the excitement of driving with his friends.

Terrific first reader
What a charming, delightful first reader! I began reading this book to my son when he was just over a year old, and for months it was always his first choice. The story and illustrations have a wonderful, irresistible energy akin to the best works of Dr. Seuss.

Anonymous 9 yr old
I love this book. I think it is one of the best books I've ever read! Everything rhymes and the book is my favorite. This is the part I like best: Cat is hungry stop for lunch sip and slurp chew and munch.

Toad on the Road
I began reading this book to my son when he was two years old and it fast became his favorite book! The simple rhymes and fun travels of Toad and his friends made him giggle and point out the things he also enjoys. ... Read more

Book Description

After many long days in the dark of space, the crew of the Star Warts is thinking longingly of home. But when Mr. Hop sets a course for HOME, the spaceship zeroes in on an uncharted planet. The intrepid crew sets out to explore, and Commander Toad stumbles into an extraordinary discovery -- one that gives a new meaning to home.Join these much-loved characters in a toadally new adventure, full of groan-worthy puns and visual jokes. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A "Princess" of a Review
A classic tale re-told and illustrated by the classic comic book artist, Will Eisner. This would fit into an Eisner collection just as easy as it could create warm and vivid bedtime story memories for your children. You will not be disappointed with this. ... Read more