TOAD BY THE ROAD

The author-illustrator pair who produced Mouse Tail Moon (2002) returns with a cycle of 26 poems describing toad lives over the course of four seasons. Gentle illustrations in delicate shades of green and brown include plenty of naturalistic detail and touches of whimsy in the toad-shaped clouds. A double-paged spread with a poem superimposed introduces each season. The poems that follow, one to a page, are each accompanied by an informative footnote. The poetry is varied in form and meter, the rhyme unforced. Large type, plenty of white space and appropriately simple language make this attractive to the beginning reader, but it can also be used as a read-aloud. Solid information and pleasing poetry make this a charming package for introducing young readers and listeners to the world of toads. (Poetry/nonfiction. 5-8)