Grasshopper: On The Road

Grasshopper: On The Road

Author/Illustrator: Arnold Lobel
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: ALA Notable Children's Book, IRA/CBC Children's Choice, Horn Book Fanfare
Age Level: 4-8 years old

Summary: Grasshopper takes his first steps on a new journey. He is not worried about where the road will lead him, but curious to see what is out there. He sets off on his journey to find a group of beetles with signs held high saying, "morning is best!" and "morning tops all!" Grasshopper enjoys making new friends and appreciates their enthusiasm for the morning. He soon left on his way and climbed up a steep hill to find an apple he sees as aj tasty lunch. This wasn't an ordinary apple, this one had a tiny worm living inside! Grasshopper was not amused by the worm, he kicked the apple down the hill and it smashed to pieces. Now the apple was no longer a home nor a meal. Continuing down the path, Grasshopper runs into a housefly cleaning up the road. The housefly shares with grasshopper how important to him it is to keep a tidy house. The housefly swept so much, that dust from the ground got in Grasshoppers eyes causing him to leave and continue on his journey. The next friend Grasshopper meets on his journey was the mosquito. Mosquito was encouraging Grasshopper to join him on his boat to the other side. Grasshopper tried to tell him that he was too big for his little boat and ending up carrying his new friend in his boat across the stream. The next friends that he meets are butterflies. They always do the same thing, same rhythm, and same lunches. Grasshopper encourages the butterflies to try something new and challenge them to do something different. The butterflies seemed intimidated by this suggestion and carried on with their ways. The last friend that Grasshopper makes on his journey are two dragonflies. These two are always in a hurry and never have time to even stop and view the sunset. All the exciting characters that Grasshopper met exhausted him at the end of the day. He decided to fall asleep in a soft place and be reassured that by morning the road will still be there to take him on any journey that he wants to go.

Illustrations in this story were scarce due to being a chapter book. The pictures present were cartoon-like insect characters with some realistic features. Colors used were dull greens with dusty brown and pinks for highlight.

In my classroom, I would use this book for the students to read and learn about a sequencing of events. A foldable or timeline would work really well with this story so that students can have a visual to refer to as the events of Grasshoppers journey continue on.

Frog and Toad Are Friends

Frog and Toad Are Friends

Author/Illustrator: Arnold Lobel
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Awards: NA
Age Level: 4-8 years old

Summary:  Frog and Toad are ready for adventure this spring. Frog walks over to Toads house and tries to get him out of bed. Only to find out that he is feeling sick and doesn't want to get out of bed. Toad does not take no for an answer and drags him onto the porch  as they examine the calendar. Being the good friend that Toad is, he jokes with Frog and makes him some tea when he isn't feeling very well. When he tries to tell Frog a story, he can't think of a single one! So he tries multiple ways to remember the story. By standing on his head, walking up and down, and even pouring water on his head Toad still can not think of a story to tell. Finally, he realizes that the best story for his friend is just retelling what he did to think of a story and watching him fall sound asleep. The two friends Toad and Frog decide to go on a long walk together. When Toad realizes he has lost his jacket button, they begin an immediate search all through the woods. They ask all the animals and no one has seen his round, thick button. At the end of the day, they realize that being in each other's company is the best adventure they could possibly ask for. Even when Frog makes fun of Toad for some silly things, they still are two friends stuck together like glue.

Illustrations are simple and delightful! There are about three shades colors used in the novel, black, white, and brown. Toad and Frog have a pleasant demeanor and a warm tone to each of them.

In my classroom, I would use this novel as a part of my centers. Student's would read Frog and Toad Are Friends individually to me as I assessed their pronunciation, understanding, and comprehension.