Frog and Toad Together

By Arnold Lobel

First published in 1971

Frog and Toad are two dear friends who star in a series of early reader books.  They sometimes have their differences, yet at the end of the day, always come together to love and support each other.  This past week, I read about Arnold Lobel, Frog’s and Toad’s creator.  Four years after the first book was published, Lobel’s daughter states that he came out to his family as gay.  While Lobel never discussed the connection between the series and his own relationships, it does seem as if he put his personal life into Frog and Toad’s deep connection.  In all of these stories, the two characters show total devotion and deep compassion for each other.

In “The List”, Toad wakes up one morning with a lot on his mind, so he decides to make a to-do list.

  

                Wake up

                Eat breakfast

                Get dressed

                Go to Frog’s House

                Take a walk with Frog

                Eat lunch

                Take a nap

                Play games with Frog

                Eat supper

                Go to Sleep

All goes well until his list blows away with the wind while Toad is taking a walk with Frog.  Poor Toad can’t remember what he is supposed to do next.  Frog tries to catch the list, but fails, so the two friends just sit together and do nothing.  When dark comes, Frog suggests that they should go to sleep.  This jogs Toad’s memory and he realizes that last on his list was “go to sleep”.  Finally, he can relax because his day is complete.

Frog and Toad are together as always – devoted and compassionate friends.