Frog and Toad are the main characters in a series of easy-reader children's books, written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel (who also wrote Mouse Soup).
Each book contains five simple, often humorous, sometimes poignant, short stories chronicling the exploits of a frog and his friend, a toad. Some of their adventures include: attempting to fly a kite, cleaning Toad's dirty house as opposed to waiting until "Tomorrow," and figuring out the ethics of being "Alone."
Frog is taller with a green shade, and is more cheery and relaxed than Toad; Toad is shorter and stout with a brown shade, and while just as caring and friendly as Frog, is also the more serious and uptight of the duo.
In 2008, three of Arnold Lobel's uncolored, unpublished Frog and Toad books were discovered in an estate sale. They were consolidated into two books and colored by Lobel's daughter Adrianne Lobel.
Maps, Directions, and Place Reviews
Origins
When Lobel was sick and out of school for much of second grade he kept himself busy by drawing. He used his animal drawings as a way of coping with the social insecurity of his return and to make friends. His books about animal friends, such as Frog and Toad, were drawn from these experiences. Lobel himself wrote "Frog and Toad are really two aspects of myself."
Yellow Frog Tape Reviews Video
Books
- Frog and Toad are Friends (1970), LCCN 73-105492
- Frog and Toad Together (1972), LCCN 73-183163
- Frog and Toad All Year (1976), LCCN 76-2343
- Days with Frog and Toad (October 3, 1979; ISBN 081243417X), LCCN 78-21786 - "Once more, Lobel leaves the two with their friendship reaffirmed ... the complementary pair continues to delight."
Barnes & Noble published a hardcover omnibus edition of three books in 2008: Adventures of Frog and Toad, comprising the complete text and illustrations of Frog and Toad are Friends, Frog and Toad Together, and Days with Frog and Toad.
Two books that contain references to Frog and Toad were completed by Lobel's daughter Adrianne from uncolored material for three books. They are written, illustrated, and delivered in a manner different from the four Frog and Toad books.
- The Frogs and Toads All Sang (2009), color by Adrianne Lobel, LCCN 2008-51768
- Odd Owls and Stout Pigs: A Book of Nonsense (2009), color by Adrianne Lobel, LCCN 2009-1406
Awards
Frog and Toad are Friends was a Caldecott Honor Book, or runner-up for the annual American Library Association (ALA) Caldecott Medal, which recognizes children's picture book illustration. In 2012 it was ranked number 15 among the "Top 100 Picture Books" in a survey published by School Library Journal.
Frog and Toad Together was a Newbery Honor Book, which recognizes children's literature.
Frog and Toad All Year won a Christopher Award in 1977 - one of five, at a time when books for young people was the only award category. The awards recognize "media that 'affirm the highest values of the human spirit' ... Award winners encourage audiences to see the better side of human nature and motivate artists and the general public to use their best instincts on behalf of others."
Adaptations
Screen
In the 1980s, Churchill Films produced 18-minute and 30-minute adaptations of the first two books using clay animation (claymation) stop-motion. Producer George McQuilkin, executive producer Robert B. Churchill. Both films were directed by John Clark Matthews, credited also as theme music composer and one principal animator. Frog and Toad were voiced by Will Ryan and Hal Smith. They were narrated by Lobel. Frog and Toad Are Friends was released on May 23, 1985; Frog and Toad Together on September 3, 1987. They were distributed to the home market only (direct-to-video).
In 2012, The Jim Henson Company has stated they plan an adaptation of the children's book as an animated film.
Stage
The Frog and Toad books inspired a Broadway musical, A Year with Frog and Toad. The musical was commissioned by Lobel's daughter, Adrianne Lobel, played off-Broadway, and ran briefly on Broadway in 2003. It was nominated for three Tony Awards. Prior to this, the books had inspired a non-musical play, "Frog and Toad (Forever)" written by Y York, and performed at Seattle Children's Theatre (1998) and First Stage Milwaukee (1999).
Source of the article : Wikipedia
EmoticonEmoticon