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Don't Be Mad, Ivy #2
Toad Food and Measle Soup
Offers young readers a reissue of five easy-to-read tales starring siblings Les and Eleanor as they deal with common childhood dilemmas, such as being late for a class assignment and having a stray dog follow them to their home.
- GenresChildrensPicture Books
98 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1982
About the author
Christine McDonnell
19 books12 followersChristine McDonnell is the author of many books for young readers, including When the Babies Came to Stay, illustrated by Jeanette Bradley, and Goyangi Means Cat, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. She is a longtime teacher and librarian and has taught English to immigrant women at Rosie’s Place. She lives in Boston.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 12, 2025
I am if truth be told a trifle conflicted regarding Christine McDonnell's Toad Food and Measle Soup (five interwoven short stories featuring as main protagonist young elementary school student Leo Nolan). For on the one hand, the themes McDonnell features in Toad Food and Measle Soup are indeed and in my opinion universal and as such both as true and also as relatable to children's experiences of today as when Toad Food and Measle Soup was first published in 1982 (trying to adapt to and appreciate different types of diets, different types of cuisines, procrastination and self confidence issues, children wanting pets) and therefore both my inner child and also my older adult reading self have decently enough enjoyed Toad Food and Measle Soup for what the book is and for what it represents. But on the other hand, although the general themes of Toad Food and Measle Soup are universal and timeless, the specific contents Christine McDonnell uses and presents in and with her five anecdotes, they often are or at least tend to be problematically dated (and also thus would need to be discussed if Toad Food and Measle Soup is to be read by contemporary, by today's children).
So yes, albeit I like the humorous book title and how in the first story (which is indeed titled Toad Food and Measle Soup) hot dogs and hamburger loving Leo Nolan is shown by Christine McDonnell as being both frustrated with his mother trying vegetarian cuisine for the family (although no, I personally would never ever consider fish as being even remotely vegetarian and as is stated by Leo's mother and I would warrant also considered by Christine McDonnell in Toad Food and Measle Soup) and also keeps misunderstanding (and perhaps even a bit deliberately so) the new and unfamiliar to him vegetarian foods his mother is using and preparing for the family (toad food instead of tofu, measle soup instead of miso soup, feel awful instead falafel), well, how McDonnell presents the specific details kind of makes me cringe a bit. Because even though in Toad Food and Measle Soup, Christine McDonnell fortunately does not make tofu, miso and falafel taste horrid, that Leo Nolan actually is shown as admitting that tofu, miso soup and falafel taste alright, there is still a rather negative attitude towards vegetarianism and different types of cuisines in general present, with me especially finding it horrible when Leo calls Chinese food some pretty insensitive terms (maybe rather understandable for the early 1980s but as such definitely dated and uncomfortable for 2025 and not to mention that when Leo and his father on their way to buy themselves some hamburgers and then coming across the mother buying a cheeseburger feels like a typical 1980s TV situation comedy full of cliches and food specific stereotypes).
And furthermore, while after Toad Food and Measle Soup with its food-based stereotyping (see above) the remaining four scenarios Leo experiences are less problematic and have many humorous parts, on the whole, Toad Food and Measle Soup leaves me a bit dissatisfied (and with only a very very generous three star rating, well actually, two-and-a-half stars). For Leo is not really shown by McDonnell as in fact learning all that many lessons, except perhaps regarding his procrastination and self confidence issues when he manages to do a fun and delightful doughnut project based on Robert McCloskey's Homer Price which delights not only his classmates but also his teacher (and that in particular in the anecdote in Toad Food and Measle Soup where Leo buys a chameleon and later a guinea pig at a local pet store, yes and in my opinion, a little bit more author criticism regarding why Leo buys a chameleon, returns the chameleon and then purchases a guinea pig would certainly be welcome, as Leo only bought the chameleon because chameleons change their colours and that Leo does not ever worry about how to adequately care and feed his chameleon, although I do indeed find it realistic and quite nice how Leo has to give the lost dog he finds in the last anecdote of Toad Food and Measle Soup back to its owner but is promised at the very end of Toad Food and Measle Soup that someday soon, the family might likely be getting a dog). Not a bad collection of anecdotes is Toad Food and Measle Soup, enjoyable (and even realistic to an extent), but indeed, Christine McDonnell's textual datedness and some issues with stereotyping would definitely need to be discussed.
So yes, albeit I like the humorous book title and how in the first story (which is indeed titled Toad Food and Measle Soup) hot dogs and hamburger loving Leo Nolan is shown by Christine McDonnell as being both frustrated with his mother trying vegetarian cuisine for the family (although no, I personally would never ever consider fish as being even remotely vegetarian and as is stated by Leo's mother and I would warrant also considered by Christine McDonnell in Toad Food and Measle Soup) and also keeps misunderstanding (and perhaps even a bit deliberately so) the new and unfamiliar to him vegetarian foods his mother is using and preparing for the family (toad food instead of tofu, measle soup instead of miso soup, feel awful instead falafel), well, how McDonnell presents the specific details kind of makes me cringe a bit. Because even though in Toad Food and Measle Soup, Christine McDonnell fortunately does not make tofu, miso and falafel taste horrid, that Leo Nolan actually is shown as admitting that tofu, miso soup and falafel taste alright, there is still a rather negative attitude towards vegetarianism and different types of cuisines in general present, with me especially finding it horrible when Leo calls Chinese food some pretty insensitive terms (maybe rather understandable for the early 1980s but as such definitely dated and uncomfortable for 2025 and not to mention that when Leo and his father on their way to buy themselves some hamburgers and then coming across the mother buying a cheeseburger feels like a typical 1980s TV situation comedy full of cliches and food specific stereotypes).
And furthermore, while after Toad Food and Measle Soup with its food-based stereotyping (see above) the remaining four scenarios Leo experiences are less problematic and have many humorous parts, on the whole, Toad Food and Measle Soup leaves me a bit dissatisfied (and with only a very very generous three star rating, well actually, two-and-a-half stars). For Leo is not really shown by McDonnell as in fact learning all that many lessons, except perhaps regarding his procrastination and self confidence issues when he manages to do a fun and delightful doughnut project based on Robert McCloskey's Homer Price which delights not only his classmates but also his teacher (and that in particular in the anecdote in Toad Food and Measle Soup where Leo buys a chameleon and later a guinea pig at a local pet store, yes and in my opinion, a little bit more author criticism regarding why Leo buys a chameleon, returns the chameleon and then purchases a guinea pig would certainly be welcome, as Leo only bought the chameleon because chameleons change their colours and that Leo does not ever worry about how to adequately care and feed his chameleon, although I do indeed find it realistic and quite nice how Leo has to give the lost dog he finds in the last anecdote of Toad Food and Measle Soup back to its owner but is promised at the very end of Toad Food and Measle Soup that someday soon, the family might likely be getting a dog). Not a bad collection of anecdotes is Toad Food and Measle Soup, enjoyable (and even realistic to an extent), but indeed, Christine McDonnell's textual datedness and some issues with stereotyping would definitely need to be discussed.
December 28, 2008
I loved this book when I was little, and I do mean little. This was how I found out that such a food as Tofu existed.
This book is a series of stories (chapters) featuring the main boy. The only ones I remember are the title chapter and the one where he gets a guinea pig. I have never heard a guinea pig make the 'whee whee whee' noise, but I always listen for it.
I can't believe only one other person has this listed...
12/28 - Even better than I remembered! I looked it up at the library on a whim (it is so rare that I remember oscure books from my childhood), and was shocked and amazed that it was the actual book, same cover and all, that I had when I was younger. I'd forgotten three of the stories, and it was like reading them for the first time. Just lovely.
This book is a series of stories (chapters) featuring the main boy. The only ones I remember are the title chapter and the one where he gets a guinea pig. I have never heard a guinea pig make the 'whee whee whee' noise, but I always listen for it.
I can't believe only one other person has this listed...
12/28 - Even better than I remembered! I looked it up at the library on a whim (it is so rare that I remember oscure books from my childhood), and was shocked and amazed that it was the actual book, same cover and all, that I had when I was younger. I'd forgotten three of the stories, and it was like reading them for the first time. Just lovely.
January 31, 2011
Good fun, especially the last two stories. Read out loud for bedtime stories.
February 22, 2016
hehe... it was one of those books that they sell for 10 cents at the elementary school. Sounded interesting... why not pick it up? It was a pretty good book. Cute.
October 15, 2018
When Leo's mom decides they're going to be vegetarian, he's less than happy. What was this gunk his mom wanted him to eat? Toad food? Measle soup? Yuck! To make matters worse, he has problems with a book report he doesn't want to write and trying to figure out a way to keep the stray dog that has followed him home. Can Leo make peace with his mom, keep his dog, and get a handle on his grades? Read this book to learn the answers to these questions.
December 11, 2021
Five stories set somewhere in America about a young boy.
A book I read but I am finding it hard to type anything about them. They are generic stories about events that could have happened when the book was released. Trying different foods, school contest, getting a pet, a school project and finding a dog. The writing is age appropriate but bland.
I feel this is probably a book that will be nostalgic to some. It was just there for me.
A book I read but I am finding it hard to type anything about them. They are generic stories about events that could have happened when the book was released. Trying different foods, school contest, getting a pet, a school project and finding a dog. The writing is age appropriate but bland.
I feel this is probably a book that will be nostalgic to some. It was just there for me.
December 17, 2014
1.5 stars - After reading the wonderfully compassionate Much Ado about Aldo, this book, geared to the same age group, was a huge letdown. Aldo was a boy who decided that he loved animals so much he was no longer going to eat them. Leo Nolan, the star of Toad Food and Measle Soup, is enmeshed in that tiresome storyline of a thousand sitcoms: Character decides to become a vegetarian; forces bizarre food on family and makes them miserable; character is caught “sneaking” meat, causes rest of family to rebel; everyone goes back to eating meat and everything is happy again.
In this case, that character is Mom, and the title of the book refers to her young son’s impression of the food she serves: “toad food” (tofu) and “measle” (miso) soup. Mrs. Nolan makes the unpopular announcement at the dinner table:
“Vegetarian food?” said Mr. Nolan. “You mean, no meat at all?”
“That’s right. Grains and cheese and even fish, and lots of vegetables. But no meat. For a while.”
Leo groaned. “No hamburgers? No hot dogs? Just vegetables?” He made a face as if he’d tasted something sour.
ARGH! Fish are not vegetables! Vegetarians don’t eat fish!
But a mutiny is brewing. Dad later admits to Leo of Mom’s new cooking style:
“Just between you and me, I don’t like it much either.”
As soon as Mom steps out the door, Dad suggests an alternative to the stir-fry Mom has left them on the stove:
“How about this idea? You and I will head downtown and have a good old hamburger at Burger Barn.”
“Whoopee! With French fries, okay?”
“Hamburg, French fries, and a Coke coming up.”
The pair head down to a fast-food restaurant to celebrate their return to the Standard American Diet:
“A toast,” [Dad] said. “To good old hamburgers!”
“To hamburgers,” Leo echoed, and took a big bite. He ate slowly, savoring the taste.
Suddenly, they spy a familiar face in line at the Burger Barn:
“Dad, look! Mom’s buying a cheeseburger!”
Mr. Nolan chuckled. “Looks like we’re not the only ones who are tired of vegetables.”
Abashed, Mom sits down with her family.
She took a bite out of her cheeseburger. “I like vegetarian food, but not all the time. And I have to agree, this tastes better than toad food and measle soup.” …
Leo finished his hamburger and took a gulp of Coke. No more strange food. At least not for awhile.
While this storyline may have gotten laughs twenty-five years ago, to a modern audience it seems remiss. With childhood obesity at a troubling rate, it’s irresponsible to glorify fast food and soft drinks and denigrate vegetables. That’s true whether your family is vegetarian or not. Modern sensibilities may also find fault with the outmoded gender roles (Mom always cooks and determines what the family eats; Dad has to go behind Mom’s back to break her “rules”). And, for us vegetarians in the audience, do we really need more false stereotypes about how “strange” and unappetizing our meal choices are?
From an animal welfare viewpoint, there’s a few other slipups in Toad Food. Leo buys a chameleon at a pet shop on impulse, admitting to the shop clerk that he doesn’t really know how to care for the animal. He is disappointed and frustrated when the lizard cannot change fantastic colors and patterns:
He went back to his room to look at his pet. There wasn’t really anything he could do with the lizard. He wasn’t any fun to play with. He didn’t make any noises. He wasn’t even good to pet.
As the lizard fails to meet his expectations, Leo returns to the pet shop to trade in the animal for a guinea pig. Needless to say, many animal advocates are not going to be happy with the behavior modeled here: impulsive pet store purchases of animals, the toy-like view Leo takes of the chameleon, and “trading up” pets like baseball cards.
However, Leo does show some more responsible behavior when a dog comes into his life. He diligently cares for a stray Dalmatian until the dog’s owner can reclaim him. In fact, he takes such good care of the dog that his father suggests:
“How about if we drive to the Animal Shelter on Saturday and see if there are any nice dogs looking for a home?”
So, on that note, the book ends. Humane families will probably applaud the fact that Leo shows dedication to caring for a dog, and the family opts to adopt rather than heading down to that corner pet store again. However, as this part of the story comes at the conclusion, many might also decide that this positive element is too little, too late.
In this case, that character is Mom, and the title of the book refers to her young son’s impression of the food she serves: “toad food” (tofu) and “measle” (miso) soup. Mrs. Nolan makes the unpopular announcement at the dinner table:
“Vegetarian food?” said Mr. Nolan. “You mean, no meat at all?”
“That’s right. Grains and cheese and even fish, and lots of vegetables. But no meat. For a while.”
Leo groaned. “No hamburgers? No hot dogs? Just vegetables?” He made a face as if he’d tasted something sour.
ARGH! Fish are not vegetables! Vegetarians don’t eat fish!
But a mutiny is brewing. Dad later admits to Leo of Mom’s new cooking style:
“Just between you and me, I don’t like it much either.”
As soon as Mom steps out the door, Dad suggests an alternative to the stir-fry Mom has left them on the stove:
“How about this idea? You and I will head downtown and have a good old hamburger at Burger Barn.”
“Whoopee! With French fries, okay?”
“Hamburg, French fries, and a Coke coming up.”
The pair head down to a fast-food restaurant to celebrate their return to the Standard American Diet:
“A toast,” [Dad] said. “To good old hamburgers!”
“To hamburgers,” Leo echoed, and took a big bite. He ate slowly, savoring the taste.
Suddenly, they spy a familiar face in line at the Burger Barn:
“Dad, look! Mom’s buying a cheeseburger!”
Mr. Nolan chuckled. “Looks like we’re not the only ones who are tired of vegetables.”
Abashed, Mom sits down with her family.
She took a bite out of her cheeseburger. “I like vegetarian food, but not all the time. And I have to agree, this tastes better than toad food and measle soup.” …
Leo finished his hamburger and took a gulp of Coke. No more strange food. At least not for awhile.
While this storyline may have gotten laughs twenty-five years ago, to a modern audience it seems remiss. With childhood obesity at a troubling rate, it’s irresponsible to glorify fast food and soft drinks and denigrate vegetables. That’s true whether your family is vegetarian or not. Modern sensibilities may also find fault with the outmoded gender roles (Mom always cooks and determines what the family eats; Dad has to go behind Mom’s back to break her “rules”). And, for us vegetarians in the audience, do we really need more false stereotypes about how “strange” and unappetizing our meal choices are?
From an animal welfare viewpoint, there’s a few other slipups in Toad Food. Leo buys a chameleon at a pet shop on impulse, admitting to the shop clerk that he doesn’t really know how to care for the animal. He is disappointed and frustrated when the lizard cannot change fantastic colors and patterns:
He went back to his room to look at his pet. There wasn’t really anything he could do with the lizard. He wasn’t any fun to play with. He didn’t make any noises. He wasn’t even good to pet.
As the lizard fails to meet his expectations, Leo returns to the pet shop to trade in the animal for a guinea pig. Needless to say, many animal advocates are not going to be happy with the behavior modeled here: impulsive pet store purchases of animals, the toy-like view Leo takes of the chameleon, and “trading up” pets like baseball cards.
However, Leo does show some more responsible behavior when a dog comes into his life. He diligently cares for a stray Dalmatian until the dog’s owner can reclaim him. In fact, he takes such good care of the dog that his father suggests:
“How about if we drive to the Animal Shelter on Saturday and see if there are any nice dogs looking for a home?”
So, on that note, the book ends. Humane families will probably applaud the fact that Leo shows dedication to caring for a dog, and the family opts to adopt rather than heading down to that corner pet store again. However, as this part of the story comes at the conclusion, many might also decide that this positive element is too little, too late.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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