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Toad #1
Toad Rage
Limpy’s family reckons humans don’t hate cane toads, but Limpy knows otherwise. He’s spotted the signs: the cross looks, the unkind comments, the way they squash cane toads with their cars. Limpy is desperate to save his species from ending up as pancakes. Somehow he must make humans see how fabulous cane toads really are. Risking everything, he sets off on a wart-tinglingly dangerous and daring journey to . . . the Olympics?
This is the epic story of a slightly squashed young cane toad’s quest for the truth.
This is the epic story of a slightly squashed young cane toad’s quest for the truth.
176 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2000
55 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Morris Gleitzman
118 books965 followersMorris began his writing career as a screenwriter, and wrote his first children's novel in 1985. His brilliantly comic style has endeared him to children and adults alike, and he is now one of Australia's most successful authors, both internationally and at home. He was born in England in 1953 and emigrated to Australia in 1969 so he could escape from school and become a Very Famous Writer.
Before realising that dream, he had a colourful career as paperboy, bottle-shop shelf-stacker, department store Santa Claus, frozen chicken defroster, fashion-design assistant and sugar-mill employee. In between he managed to gain a degree in Professional Writing at the Canberra College of Advanced Education. Later he became sole writer for three award-winning and top-rating seasons with the TV comedy series The Norman Gunston Show.
Morris wrote a number of feature film and telemovie screenplays, including The Other Facts of Life and Second Childhood, both produced by The Australian Children's Television Foundation. The Other Facts of Life won an AWGIE Award for the Best Original Children's Film Script.
He also wrote live stage material for people such as Rolf Harris, Pamela Stephenson and the Governor General of Australia. Morris is well known to many people through his semi-autobiographical columns in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald magazine, Good Weekend, which he wrote for nine years.
But the majority of Morris' accolades are for his hugely popular children's books. One of his most successful books for young people is Two Weeks with the Queen, an international bestseller which was also adapted into a play by Mary Morris. The play had many successful seasons in Australia and was then produced at the National Theatre in London in 1995 directed by Alan Ayckbourn, and also in South Africa, Canada, Japan and the USA.
All his other books have been shortlisted for or have won numerous children's book prizes. These include The Other Facts of Life, Second Childhood, Misery Guts, Worry Warts, Puppy Fat, Blabber Mouth, Sticky Beak, Belly Flop, Water Wings, Bumface, Gift Of The Gab, Toad Rage, Wicked! and Deadly!, two six-part novels written in collaboration with Paul Jennings, Adults Only, Toad Heaven, Boy Overboard, Teacher's Pet, Toad Away, Girl Underground, Worm Story, Once, Aristotle's Nostril, Doubting Thomas, Give Peas A Chance, Then, Toad Surprise, Grace, Now, Too Small To Fail, and his latest book, Pizza Cake. Morris' children's books have been published in the UK, the USA, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia and Czechoslovakia, Russia and China.
Before realising that dream, he had a colourful career as paperboy, bottle-shop shelf-stacker, department store Santa Claus, frozen chicken defroster, fashion-design assistant and sugar-mill employee. In between he managed to gain a degree in Professional Writing at the Canberra College of Advanced Education. Later he became sole writer for three award-winning and top-rating seasons with the TV comedy series The Norman Gunston Show.
Morris wrote a number of feature film and telemovie screenplays, including The Other Facts of Life and Second Childhood, both produced by The Australian Children's Television Foundation. The Other Facts of Life won an AWGIE Award for the Best Original Children's Film Script.
He also wrote live stage material for people such as Rolf Harris, Pamela Stephenson and the Governor General of Australia. Morris is well known to many people through his semi-autobiographical columns in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald magazine, Good Weekend, which he wrote for nine years.
But the majority of Morris' accolades are for his hugely popular children's books. One of his most successful books for young people is Two Weeks with the Queen, an international bestseller which was also adapted into a play by Mary Morris. The play had many successful seasons in Australia and was then produced at the National Theatre in London in 1995 directed by Alan Ayckbourn, and also in South Africa, Canada, Japan and the USA.
All his other books have been shortlisted for or have won numerous children's book prizes. These include The Other Facts of Life, Second Childhood, Misery Guts, Worry Warts, Puppy Fat, Blabber Mouth, Sticky Beak, Belly Flop, Water Wings, Bumface, Gift Of The Gab, Toad Rage, Wicked! and Deadly!, two six-part novels written in collaboration with Paul Jennings, Adults Only, Toad Heaven, Boy Overboard, Teacher's Pet, Toad Away, Girl Underground, Worm Story, Once, Aristotle's Nostril, Doubting Thomas, Give Peas A Chance, Then, Toad Surprise, Grace, Now, Too Small To Fail, and his latest book, Pizza Cake. Morris' children's books have been published in the UK, the USA, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia and Czechoslovakia, Russia and China.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
February 14, 2012
Splat!
Limpy sighs and limps over to where a car has just flattened a relative. Again. He’ll have to wait for him to dry out before he can carry him home. Limpy, a cane toad, is sick of cars purposefully driving over his relatives. He limps because a car drove over his leg. Why do people hate cane toads? This is the setup for a funny book about Limpy who goes on a mission to make humans like cane toads. He gets help from the not-so-bright Goliath and a human girl. He thinks that if he can become a mascot for the Olympic games people will like toads. He and Goliath have all sorts of adventures and meet other insects and animals along the way that have questions as well.
Limpy is quite likeable and sincere. While other toads and animals are killed it shouldn’t distress kids. It is quite funny and done in a clever way that shows readers how creatures fit in the food chain. Readers also learn about Australia and words that are unique to their country with a glossary in the back to help. The quirky humor about bugs, reptiles and toads should appeal to certain readers.
Limpy sighs and limps over to where a car has just flattened a relative. Again. He’ll have to wait for him to dry out before he can carry him home. Limpy, a cane toad, is sick of cars purposefully driving over his relatives. He limps because a car drove over his leg. Why do people hate cane toads? This is the setup for a funny book about Limpy who goes on a mission to make humans like cane toads. He gets help from the not-so-bright Goliath and a human girl. He thinks that if he can become a mascot for the Olympic games people will like toads. He and Goliath have all sorts of adventures and meet other insects and animals along the way that have questions as well.
Limpy is quite likeable and sincere. While other toads and animals are killed it shouldn’t distress kids. It is quite funny and done in a clever way that shows readers how creatures fit in the food chain. Readers also learn about Australia and words that are unique to their country with a glossary in the back to help. The quirky humor about bugs, reptiles and toads should appeal to certain readers.
October 8, 2012
Positive Points
With a unique and entertaining writing style, a good mix of drama and humor sprinkled throughout, and endearing characters, this book is a winner!
Add to this a cliffhanger at almost every chapter and you get a page turner. The chapters are very short and easy to read. It was hard to put it down. I kept reading just one more short chapter, and one more, until I realized I had read the whole book. This story would appeal even to reluctant readers, boys and girls alike.
The characters are well developed and believable. The main character, Limpy, is a cane toad with a crooked leg that makes him go around in circles when he tries to hop too fast. He goes on a mission to make humans like toads rather than try to squish them. His sweet, lovable little sister, Charm, accompanies him in his journey, along with his oversized cousin, Goliath, who tries to get back at cars for flattening toads by throwing sticks at them as they pass by.
I learned some Australian expressions, thanks to the glossary at the end explaining each one of them. Glossaries are normally boring, but not this one. The definitions have a little funny twist, some of which made me laugh out loud.
Negative Points
I don't normally enjoy books written from an animal's POV. I guess this is an exception! I can't find anything negative to say about this book, really. Okay, a toad isn't the cute, cuddly character we're used to, but Limpy has its charms, and a good heart.
What makes this book unique
I had never read a book told from a cane toad's POV before. I learned something about toads: They can squirt poison from glands. Who knew? I'm not sure if a toad's warts really prickle when they sense danger, but it's fun to imagine they might. Who would have thought that a book about toads would be so interesting?
Overall Impression
Great read! I recommend it to anyone with a good sense of humor.
With a unique and entertaining writing style, a good mix of drama and humor sprinkled throughout, and endearing characters, this book is a winner!
Add to this a cliffhanger at almost every chapter and you get a page turner. The chapters are very short and easy to read. It was hard to put it down. I kept reading just one more short chapter, and one more, until I realized I had read the whole book. This story would appeal even to reluctant readers, boys and girls alike.
The characters are well developed and believable. The main character, Limpy, is a cane toad with a crooked leg that makes him go around in circles when he tries to hop too fast. He goes on a mission to make humans like toads rather than try to squish them. His sweet, lovable little sister, Charm, accompanies him in his journey, along with his oversized cousin, Goliath, who tries to get back at cars for flattening toads by throwing sticks at them as they pass by.
I learned some Australian expressions, thanks to the glossary at the end explaining each one of them. Glossaries are normally boring, but not this one. The definitions have a little funny twist, some of which made me laugh out loud.
Negative Points
I don't normally enjoy books written from an animal's POV. I guess this is an exception! I can't find anything negative to say about this book, really. Okay, a toad isn't the cute, cuddly character we're used to, but Limpy has its charms, and a good heart.
What makes this book unique
I had never read a book told from a cane toad's POV before. I learned something about toads: They can squirt poison from glands. Who knew? I'm not sure if a toad's warts really prickle when they sense danger, but it's fun to imagine they might. Who would have thought that a book about toads would be so interesting?
Overall Impression
Great read! I recommend it to anyone with a good sense of humor.
November 9, 2017
I think the book toad rage is a very interisting book. It is very wierd from a toads prospective. I think that it was also really exciting and had some breath taking moments. I sugest that you read this book.
July 13, 2024
As an adult this is hilarious and as a child I can totally see how this traumatized my sibling.
September 30, 2022
Read this book for my brother's bedtime stories. Personally I didn't get into it very much, but my brother did. Everytime I said "Top feed" in the voice of a fruit fly he thought it was SO FUNNY.
July 11, 2024
Loved this book as a kid (probably how I learned about cane toads being an invasive species), and still found it chock full of hilarity as an adult! A quick read, and great for summer.
March 9, 2011
Toad Rage by Morris Gleitzman
Reviewed by Miles LeViere
This has been the first book by Morris Gleitzman I have ever read. It has also been the last. For your own sake, don’t waste your time reading this disgraceful work of literature. Morris Gleitzman has more books in this series and if I were you I would make sure not to even read the back cover. You might be in danger of falling fast asleep if you do.
The story takes place on the American island of Hawaii. Limpy the frog wonders why cane toads are always hit by cars that go out of their way to hit them. This problem has no excitement to it whatsoever. The worst part is that you already know the answer to the question the whole entire book(which makes the book extremely boring). He never really does find out. The whole book I thought “duh, your the ugliest species on the planet”. He does, however try to get humans to like him. This also turns into a boring waste of time. The ending makes no sense at all and Limpy suddenly changes his mindset. This book was suppose to be funny, but not once did the “humorous” sections of the story do anything, but put words in the book to keep it dragging on.
In the book there are a few main characters which are mostly dull frogs that give you a headache due to lack of common sense. Limpy is a warty frog that can’t run fast enough or else (due to his injured foot) he will run in circles. He is the main character and let’s just say that he never does anything that’s even close to remarkable. Limpy has a few frog friends that are also dull and irritating characters.
Morris Gleitzman has done a horrid job with his voice in this book. Several times he has repeatedly used words like the, it, he, good, funny, and about twice every sentence he uses “stack me”. There were no unique personalities in the book. Each character was dull and irritating in every way. It was especially irritating that for half of the book you read about Limpy going back and forth with a human trying to communicate.
Honestly, if you are thinking about reading this book I’d advise not. I’m not sure how this book got published, but somehow it did. This book did not entertain for a single second. It has been a putrid book that is not worth reading. I guarantee you that Toad Rage will never be even close to a big hit.
Reviewed by Miles LeViere
This has been the first book by Morris Gleitzman I have ever read. It has also been the last. For your own sake, don’t waste your time reading this disgraceful work of literature. Morris Gleitzman has more books in this series and if I were you I would make sure not to even read the back cover. You might be in danger of falling fast asleep if you do.
The story takes place on the American island of Hawaii. Limpy the frog wonders why cane toads are always hit by cars that go out of their way to hit them. This problem has no excitement to it whatsoever. The worst part is that you already know the answer to the question the whole entire book(which makes the book extremely boring). He never really does find out. The whole book I thought “duh, your the ugliest species on the planet”. He does, however try to get humans to like him. This also turns into a boring waste of time. The ending makes no sense at all and Limpy suddenly changes his mindset. This book was suppose to be funny, but not once did the “humorous” sections of the story do anything, but put words in the book to keep it dragging on.
In the book there are a few main characters which are mostly dull frogs that give you a headache due to lack of common sense. Limpy is a warty frog that can’t run fast enough or else (due to his injured foot) he will run in circles. He is the main character and let’s just say that he never does anything that’s even close to remarkable. Limpy has a few frog friends that are also dull and irritating characters.
Morris Gleitzman has done a horrid job with his voice in this book. Several times he has repeatedly used words like the, it, he, good, funny, and about twice every sentence he uses “stack me”. There were no unique personalities in the book. Each character was dull and irritating in every way. It was especially irritating that for half of the book you read about Limpy going back and forth with a human trying to communicate.
Honestly, if you are thinking about reading this book I’d advise not. I’m not sure how this book got published, but somehow it did. This book did not entertain for a single second. It has been a putrid book that is not worth reading. I guarantee you that Toad Rage will never be even close to a big hit.
May 16, 2014
This book deals with a feeling some of us have—a desperate desire to be loved and accepted by those who find us disgusting and despise us.
Limpy is a cane toad living in Australia. Cane toads are an invasive species in Australia and many Australians see them as an enemy.
Limpy wants to be form a positive relationship with the human species and goes off to try to do this. The book is about his adventures.
One thing that bothered me about the book: We're shown what the humans are saying, so we know what's going on. But then although Limpy can hear what the humans are saying, he can't understand them. That didn't work for me. Since we're hearing the story through Limpy's eyes, I think we should understand what he understands. Then again, the book is told through third person narration. If it was first person narration, I think this technique might have been worse.
Something I loved in the book: A group of Aussie animals complaining about not being chosen as an Aussie icon/mascot...including the infamous Sydney Funnel Web Spider. Very cute and funny scene.
Limpy is a cane toad living in Australia. Cane toads are an invasive species in Australia and many Australians see them as an enemy.
Limpy wants to be form a positive relationship with the human species and goes off to try to do this. The book is about his adventures.
One thing that bothered me about the book: We're shown what the humans are saying, so we know what's going on. But then although Limpy can hear what the humans are saying, he can't understand them. That didn't work for me. Since we're hearing the story through Limpy's eyes, I think we should understand what he understands. Then again, the book is told through third person narration. If it was first person narration, I think this technique might have been worse.
Something I loved in the book: A group of Aussie animals complaining about not being chosen as an Aussie icon/mascot...including the infamous Sydney Funnel Web Spider. Very cute and funny scene.
March 19, 2015
This book was serious work to finish. The concept was cute - a toad setting out to convince humans that they shouldn't hate the toads - but the execution was lacking. The plot was too plausible to call it fantasy but too unrealistic for the kids to simply find it funny or exciting. They didn't get the references to "the games" in Australia and the toad's pole-vaulting solution at the end to avoid oncoming traffic didn't register for them at all.
July 26, 2020
This is another great book for older children. This story is told from the perspective of the toads. They rebel.
I know I’ve sad this before but I think it’s important for children of all ages to look at things from another’s point of View, even if that’s from the POV of another living thing. It helps us to look at what we’re doing and also helps us to recognize feelings when they’re portrayed in animals or insects...
I know I’ve sad this before but I think it’s important for children of all ages to look at things from another’s point of View, even if that’s from the POV of another living thing. It helps us to look at what we’re doing and also helps us to recognize feelings when they’re portrayed in animals or insects...
March 24, 2011
this book was assigned in my daughter's school's book club for 3rd/4th level children & family. the book was laugh out-loud funny, and could be a powerful metaphor for larger social dilemmas: I was reminded of the conversations about inclusion/exclusion of indigenous peoples in Australia when the Olympic Games were there; something i imagine Morris Gleitzman must've been thinking about.
April 11, 2015
I can't believe this book is recommended reading for grade 4. Maybe it will appeal to some students but I fail to see any literary merit to it. And I know not all books need literary merit but each chapter was the same except for the location. Limpy is excited/hopeful, hopes are dashed, feels angry, new hope. Next chapter, same as the last.
July 30, 2020
A funny story about a cane toad on a mission to discover why humans despise cane toads. An easy middle primary read, with some good opportunities for discussion about judging others and issues of inclusion/exclusion in society.
March 18, 2009
Its kind of a book for younger people, but I liked as well.
April 5, 2009
A wonderful story about a cane toad named Limpy, and his adventure as he tries to save his entire species.
May 9, 2020
I just love when a funny book makes you laugh out loud as you are reading the story. This is not that book! Despite the fact that 3 out of 4 people on the back of the book recommended as funny or hilarious It is no such thing.
The writing style is not terrible, but nothing spectacular either. The story itself does not draw you in the way it could if it lived up to the title. On the plus side, about 8 chapters in, the story did get me to look up what a cane toad actually was as I had never heard of them before. The Australian slang was not a problem in getting through the story as the author did provide a nice glossary in the back section of the book. What was challenging is the story itself.
This little injured toad is constantly asking why humans hate them so much. The way story was written did not give the impression that vehicles were aiming at these toads, and other than Limpy, the main character, constantly saying this, it was easier to conclude that like any other creature crossing the road these toads were just happening to be hit by the vehicles that were traveling through the area. Despite that during a point in the story his question was in fact answered for him, *that they are ugly, disgusting, creatures,* he still continued to ask the question and not seem to understand why they were hated so much. It was kind of monotonous and the whole story seemed to have no point. I found it annoying that he couldn't understand the humans, yet seemed to know what certain things were called...it was very questionable since he didn't understand the language how he would know what these specific items were. Additionally, it made his species seem extremely stupid considering many of the other animals (including insects) could understand what humans were saying and had to translate or explain things. Somehow despite humans supposedly hating them because they're these despicable creatures a young girl befriends him, which continues to make zero sense in the whole humans hating and purposely trying to kill these toads. I put this book down so many times feeling like much more time had passed when it was actually not that long, the story it's just that boring! It does turn out I wouldn't have had to look up information on cane toads since the author did later answer my question; I think that question should have been answered sooner. The ending doesn't make sense...it's trying to tie-in something that happened, but the events leading up to the end and the structure of the ending none of it feels like it fits with the other parts of the story.
On the plus side, this is not the worst book I have read. However, that said, I would not read another in this series, and I'm surprised that there actually is more in this series.
The writing style is not terrible, but nothing spectacular either. The story itself does not draw you in the way it could if it lived up to the title. On the plus side, about 8 chapters in, the story did get me to look up what a cane toad actually was as I had never heard of them before. The Australian slang was not a problem in getting through the story as the author did provide a nice glossary in the back section of the book. What was challenging is the story itself.
This little injured toad is constantly asking why humans hate them so much. The way story was written did not give the impression that vehicles were aiming at these toads, and other than Limpy, the main character, constantly saying this, it was easier to conclude that like any other creature crossing the road these toads were just happening to be hit by the vehicles that were traveling through the area. Despite that during a point in the story his question was in fact answered for him, *that they are ugly, disgusting, creatures,* he still continued to ask the question and not seem to understand why they were hated so much. It was kind of monotonous and the whole story seemed to have no point. I found it annoying that he couldn't understand the humans, yet seemed to know what certain things were called...it was very questionable since he didn't understand the language how he would know what these specific items were. Additionally, it made his species seem extremely stupid considering many of the other animals (including insects) could understand what humans were saying and had to translate or explain things. Somehow despite humans supposedly hating them because they're these despicable creatures a young girl befriends him, which continues to make zero sense in the whole humans hating and purposely trying to kill these toads. I put this book down so many times feeling like much more time had passed when it was actually not that long, the story it's just that boring! It does turn out I wouldn't have had to look up information on cane toads since the author did later answer my question; I think that question should have been answered sooner. The ending doesn't make sense...it's trying to tie-in something that happened, but the events leading up to the end and the structure of the ending none of it feels like it fits with the other parts of the story.
On the plus side, this is not the worst book I have read. However, that said, I would not read another in this series, and I'm surprised that there actually is more in this series.
June 6, 2017
Morris Gleitzman's work always posed a unique problem for me, and this may shock folks overseas, but not all Australians use his beloved and oft-flaunted "Aussie" lingo. The same problem popped up for me in "Water Wings", where, if one does not belong to this particular culture, one really struggles to one's head around the familial relationships and language being depicted. Perhaps this has to do with Gleitzman himself being English by birth, and embracing the Australian identity with exaggerated enthusiasm, or perhaps there are actually people who use words like "gran" in my country, and I just haven't managed to find them yet.
That small gripe aside, Gleitzman is an excellent introduction for children and literature, and this stands out as being particularly literary of his work for younger readers. It introduces the concept of the Odyssean journey, something that any reader, and certainly any writer, would do well to familiarize themselves with. It opens doors to adult literature of this vein; the journey, the stake, the consequence, are all very plain and simply and laid out for younger minds to comprehend, and open the doors to a world of culture beyond their wildest dreams.
That small gripe aside, Gleitzman is an excellent introduction for children and literature, and this stands out as being particularly literary of his work for younger readers. It introduces the concept of the Odyssean journey, something that any reader, and certainly any writer, would do well to familiarize themselves with. It opens doors to adult literature of this vein; the journey, the stake, the consequence, are all very plain and simply and laid out for younger minds to comprehend, and open the doors to a world of culture beyond their wildest dreams.
May 24, 2022
Are you looking for a book about a toad on a mission? ʷʰʸ ᵈᵒ ⁱ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ ᵘᵖ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉˢᵉ ʷᵉⁱʳᵈ ᵇᵒᵒᵏˢ
I recommend this book to you if you want to be hooked on a book until the very end. (I personally
now want to read the rest of the series)
The wonderful book Toad Rage is about a toad called Limpy, Limpy lives in the heart of Queensland with all of his brothers, sisters, mother, father, uncles, aunties, grandparents... ok I think you get the picture. While Limpy is out getting bugs with one of his uncles, a truck comes roaring past and squishes his uncle after seeing his uncle’s death he sets out on a journey to ask humans to stop running over cane toads will he succeed?
two reasons I like this this book is it puts you in a different point of view which is good because most of the time it’s always the humans getting the spotlight another reason is the pace that the story goes in, the story doesn't rush by to quick but it doesn't drag out either.
Although something that might make it better is some the characters duration for example Limpy brought together animals and then the next four pages the animals were irrelevant, but it's still an amazing book.
In conclusion Toad Rage is and amazing book I would recommend it to most people, so go to your nearest book store or library and get a copy.
I recommend this book to you if you want to be hooked on a book until the very end. (I personally
now want to read the rest of the series)
The wonderful book Toad Rage is about a toad called Limpy, Limpy lives in the heart of Queensland with all of his brothers, sisters, mother, father, uncles, aunties, grandparents... ok I think you get the picture. While Limpy is out getting bugs with one of his uncles, a truck comes roaring past and squishes his uncle after seeing his uncle’s death he sets out on a journey to ask humans to stop running over cane toads will he succeed?
two reasons I like this this book is it puts you in a different point of view which is good because most of the time it’s always the humans getting the spotlight another reason is the pace that the story goes in, the story doesn't rush by to quick but it doesn't drag out either.
Although something that might make it better is some the characters duration for example Limpy brought together animals and then the next four pages the animals were irrelevant, but it's still an amazing book.
In conclusion Toad Rage is and amazing book I would recommend it to most people, so go to your nearest book store or library and get a copy.
December 7, 2019
Limpy is a cane toad and while his family believes the humans are indifferent to them and simply crush them with their cars as an accident. Limpy, however, knows better. He's seen with his own eyes as cars swerve off the roads specifically to flatten his friends and family members. With his own injuries and story to tell, Limpy decides he must go on a quest to convince the humans that cane toads aren't so bad and don't deserve to be wiped out. In order to do this, he needs a stage and what better place to get the spotlight on him than the Olympics?
This is a fun story that gives students a chance to watch some character development. They can also compare and contrast beliefs and opinions in the book and make their own predictions of how Limpy's appeal to the humans will be received and many other skills. Toad Rage is the first of a three part series and will be sure to catch students' interest.
This is a fun story that gives students a chance to watch some character development. They can also compare and contrast beliefs and opinions in the book and make their own predictions of how Limpy's appeal to the humans will be received and many other skills. Toad Rage is the first of a three part series and will be sure to catch students' interest.
February 12, 2019
This story starts well, in typical Morris Gleitzman style. We have the funny, confident and naive young protagonist in a bid to save the world. Lumpy is a likeable character. The premise is interesting, how does a cane toad make itself understood and loveable to humans, and the setting was great for the time, the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
However, as the story went on, it didn't grab me. Tiny variations of the same theme kept occurring, I felt like opportunities to explore important areas were missed as I don't think there was really a resolution...the toads end up back where they started, with no change in status. I am surprised there are two more books in the series, hard to see where they will go.
However, as the story went on, it didn't grab me. Tiny variations of the same theme kept occurring, I felt like opportunities to explore important areas were missed as I don't think there was really a resolution...the toads end up back where they started, with no change in status. I am surprised there are two more books in the series, hard to see where they will go.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2019
Cute story. I had no idea about cane toads before reading. This is an interesting take on what it would be like to be a “pest.” I recommend for older kids who are ok with a bit of violence. For example, the main character, Limpy, watches his favorite uncle get flattened by a truck tire—intentionally. It happens at the very beginning, like the first couple pages, so I’m not giving anything away saying that.
December 8, 2021
Good clean fun. Limpy the cane toad is on a quest to get his species to be liked and respected by humans. Or at least, not be smushed by vehicles on the highway.
Lots of good humor, although there is a lot of toad-smushing and insect-eating.
Some Australian slang provides color (for us non-Australians). One odd thing; the phrase "Stack me!" appears frequently, although when I looked it up on Google, most of the results referred to this book.
Lots of good humor, although there is a lot of toad-smushing and insect-eating.
Some Australian slang provides color (for us non-Australians). One odd thing; the phrase "Stack me!" appears frequently, although when I looked it up on Google, most of the results referred to this book.
October 20, 2017
I thought this book was very interesting because it was told from the toad's point of view. This book is based in Australia about a toad who is tired of humans running over his relatives and goes on a journey to see why humans hate Cane Toads. It was funny because of some of the misconceptions made by the toads. I would recommend this book.
August 4, 2022
This is such a good story about a cain toad trying to find out why they are hated by humans and trying to save his species. I really liked that it was from the Toads perspective and that we did get to see other animals and insects as well. Not only this but having the Games was a fun addition. Great story
April 7, 2024
I first read this when it came out as a child, and this time read it out loud to my 7 year old step child. It holds up in funny dialogue (stack me has become a saying in our house now) and is a great opening to discussing perspecrive. Short and sweet, and a very understandable context as Queenslanders.
October 17, 2018
Enjoyed this with the kids on a long car journey (audio). Would make a great companion for families travelling to QLD by car! Funny at times and raised some good talking points about feeling good enough.
June 16, 2019
Cute but I thought it was kinda dumb overall. Definitely some laugh out loud moments, but I certainly wouldn't read the rest of the series.
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September 3, 2019I had to read this for school, back in 2009 when I was in year six- and it has stuck with me ever since. It's a book about toads man,
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