The Toad

June 1, 2016

Gr 1-3-The latest addition to the series, in which Gravel uses her obvious passion for seemingly unlovable creatures to excite the curiosity of young readers. The text conveys age-appropriate information about the physical attributes of toads: general traits such as their long tongues and warts, which act as form of camouflage, and the particularities of specific species, such as the Emei mustache toad and the Venezuela pebble toad (though the protagonist of this book is the common toad). Gravel discusses habitats, ecological impact, and life cycle from egg to maturity. The female pronoun is used for the main character toad, though, thankfully, she is only given eyelashes and pink lips when she declares that her warts are her "beauty spots"-and the fertilization of the eggs is not discussed. What sets this book apart from other early readers is the engaging humor. Gravel's cartoonish illustrations will keep children involved with the material and the important environmental message. However, the call to action would have benefitted from a specific example of how young people can keep the environment healthy for our amphibian friends. In addition, the use of Spanish phrases, such as a frog bidding readers "Hasta la vista," may exasperate native Spanish-speakers. VERDICT For fans of the series or collections looking to add a bit of humor.-Kelly Topita, Anne Arundel County Public Library, MD

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2016
Having surveyed worms, spiders, flies, and head lice, Gravel continues her Disgusting Critters series with a quick hop through toad fact and fancy.The facts are briefly presented in a hand-lettered-style typeface frequently interrupted by visually emphatic interjections ("TOXIN," "PREY," "EWWW!"). These are, as usual, paired to simply drawn cartoons with comments and punch lines in dialogue balloons. After casting glances at the common South American ancestor of frogs and toads, and at such exotic species as the Emei mustache toad ("Hey ladies!"), Gravel focuses on the common toad, Bufo bufo. Using feminine pronouns throughout, she describes diet and egg-laying, defense mechanisms, "warts," development from tadpole to adult, and of course how toads shed and eat their skins. Noting that global warming and habitat destruction have rendered some species endangered or extinct, she closes with a plea and, harking back to those South American origins, an image of an outsized toad, arm in arm with a dark-skinned lad (in a track suit), waving goodbye: "Hasta la vista!"A light dose of natural history, with occasional "EWWW!" for flavor. (Informational picture book. 5-7)

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June 1, 2016
Grades K-3 The Disgusting Critters early reader series' newest offering presents the toad in all its grossness and glory. Using a cartoon framework, Gravel rattles off fast facts accompanied by wisecracking amphibians, giving spreads the feel of a gag strip. After first explaining the basic difference between frogs and toads, Gravel introduces a few of the stranger species of the latter, such as the Venezuela pebble toad and spiky-lipped Emei mustache toad ( Hey ladies! ), before focusing on the Bufo bufoor common toad. Young readers will squeal and squirm as they see a toad lounging in a toilet (toads must remain moist), consuming its sloughed skin ( EWWW! ), and emitting a terrible tastingand sometimes deadlytoxin to ward off predators. On a more serious note, Gravel explains how healthy toads reflect a healthy environment, but their populations are declining due to pollution, pesticide use, global warming, and habitat loss. Kids will readily respond to Gravel's hilarious illustrations, simple sentences, and dynamic fonts, as well as her call to help toads by keeping the planet clean.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)