I examined a combination book with three previously published books in it: "Frog & Toad are Friends", "Frog & Toad Together" and "Days with Frog and Toad". First published in 1970, the Frog & Toad series of books were some of the first transitional books in print. With wide margins, large font and additional whitespace to aid the concentration of the beginning reader, these books were easier to red than typical chapter books, but provide a sense of achievement for the earlier reader. The simple stories of devotion and friendship, accompanied by delightful three-color pencil illustrations provide images to reinforce the reader's interpretation of new words just being sounded out. I have to confess that I felt a little sorry for Toad upon re-reading the stories, though, for he seems to often be the butt of Frog's deceit. Both the sad image of him being laughed at as he climbed out of the river and the accompanying text left me felling rather sorry for him. But he seemed to take it in stride as he walked home with a smirk on his face.
Merit: A format well suited for beginning transitional readers.
Share: Read-along or allow the child to read to the adult, which would provide both assistance to the reader if need be as well as pride for the reader.
Appeal: Pleasant illustrations. Simple and enjoyable stories.
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