City Dog, Country Frog

by Mo Willems

In spring, when City Dog runs free in the country for the first time, he spots Country Frog sitting on a rock, waiting for a friend. “You’ll do,” Frog says, and together they play Country Frog games. In summer, they meet again and play City Dog games. Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits the country he runs straight for Country Frog’s rock. In winter, things change for City Dog and Country Frog. Come spring, friendship blooms again, a little different this time.

Mo Willems’ spare, poignant text and Jon J. Muth’s expressive watercolors team up to tell a story that will resonate with readers of all ages.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Friendship, Childrens, Dogs, Fiction, Death

64 pages, Hardcover

First published June 8, 2010

About the author

#1 New York Times Bestselling author and illustrator Mo Willems is best known for his Caldecott Honor winning picture books Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Knuffle Bunny: a cautionary tale.

In addition to such picture books as Leonardo the Terrible Monster, Edwina the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct, and Time to Pee, Mo has created the Elephant and Piggie books, a series of early readers, and published You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When it Monsoons, an annotated cartoon journal sketched during a year-long voyage around the world in 1990-91.

The New York Times Book Review called Mo “the biggest new talent to emerge thus far in the 00's."

Mo’s work books have been translated into a myriad of languages, spawned animated shorts and theatrical musical productions, and his illustrations, wire sculpture, and carved ceramics have been exhibited in galleries and museums across the nation.

Mo began his career as a writer and animator for television, garnering 6 Emmy awards for his writing on Sesame Street, creating Nickelodeon's The Off-Beats, Cartoon Network’s Sheep in the Big City and head-writing Codename: Kids Next Door.

He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his family.

Reviews

[Debbie W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why I chose to read this book:
1. I'm always on the lookout for quality picture books to read aloud when I'm sub teaching young children. GR friend, Karen's review sold me to check this one out.

I read it aloud to a Grade 2 class (7-8 year-olds). Here are their thoughts:
"I liked how it was about two friends who liked being together."
"I liked how they both were looking for a friend."
"I love frogs, and it's a cute book!"

We discussed possible reasons why the frog didn't show up the following spring. Some students thought he was hibernating or had moved away, but one student inferred that the frog must've died because it mentioned how he was getting tired and didn't want to play anymore.
Whatever the reason, the students dropped a star because they felt the ending was sad.

Overall Thoughts:
Author Mo Willems writes a simply thoughtful story about friendship and the passage of time, while Jon J Muth's whimsical watercolors add to the poignancy of this story.
Suitable for all ages.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I begin this review?

First, let me share that it is beautifully illustrated. It shows the changing seasons, and the importance of friendship.

Second, this will be a teachable and touching story for kids. About what we learn from others, as the city dog learned from the frog and the frog learned from the dog. It also depicts the cycle of life.

Kleenex may be needed. (I did.)

Lastly, and most importantly, this is a heart-felt story about accepting change (seasons and loss), because there will be that moment when something changes and kids will learn about what that change/loss and acceptance means, too.

Reading Level – Ages 4 – 8 years

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, you cynical adults, so thoroughly convinced that Country Frog croaked. Don't be so sure of yourselves.

I've read this story to kids many times, and I love asking them what they think happened to Country Frog. They've said that Country Frog might be hibernating, has moved to a warmer spot, is off looking for food, or is hiding in the water. A few have said that they think he died, but none were beside themselves with grief. Several children observed that Country Frog changes colors over the course of the story, which leads to a discussion about amphibians.

So many people have said that it's a sad story, but it seems more hopeful to me. Once he understands that Country Frog will not be returning, City Frog realizes he can keep a piece of his spirit with him by greeting his new friend with Country Frog's line, "but you'll do." Then there's all those springtime metaphors, which is also where the book happens to end.

It's almost inconceivable that an author can go from clever pigeons and the intracacies of elephant-pig relationships to the careful thoughtfulness of a story like this one. Mo, you are geeenius.

[Gail Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me cry every time I read it. And yet it's very comforting.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, what can I say about this book. I have to say that I found it incredibly sad. I suspect it’s supposed to be uplifting what with its happy ending, sort of, but I felt sad.

I guess the attempt here is to comment on the nature of friendship, and of loss, and of making new friends, and of letting friends be who they are and enjoying their company, well, and I don’t want to give away too much so that’s all I’ll say. The text is actually quite brief. There are very short sections of story text that go from spring, summer, fall, winter, and back to spring again.

The illustrations are priceless. The dog and his movements are perfection, the dog and frog together are funny and wonderful to view, and the seasonal landscapes are just lovely. The pictures tell the story so well that this could have worked as a wordless picture book. I’ve loved Jon J. Muth's illustrations in other books and I’m also a huge fan of them in this book.

I suspect most readers will find this to be an enjoyable story, but sensitive readers might feel sad, or confused. Young children might have questions, which is fine.

The joyful (and sometimes sad) dog illustrations are among the best dog pictures I’ve seen in children’s picture books. The story is fine enough, but it’s the illustrations that made the book for me; I could happily view them many, many times.

[Sara the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This extraordinarily good and gentle book introduces the concept of death, loss, and grief to young readers in the most thoughtful way possible.

City dog arrives in the country for the summer where he quickly makes friends with the wise and fun loving country frog. They frollick and have adventures and forge a life long friendship. When city dog returns in the fall he finds his friend is slower and more inclined to remember the fun they once had rather than run around seeking adventures but they share a special autumn recalling all the things they've done together.

Alas, when winter comes country frog is no where to be found.

Spring arrives and a lonely city dog is sitting by the pond where he and country frog passed so many happy days when someone new arrives to help heal city dogs sad heart.

It's almost impossible to say which is better here Willems wonderful words or Jon Muth's heart stopping illustrations. I've been unabashedly in love with Muth since The Three Questions and his gift for conveying the depth of love and friendship between dog and frog is just heart rending. To do so much with something so simple seeming as water color, it just boggles the mind.

I find myself perhaps more impressed with Willems in this case only because he's never been my favorite author. I'm a fan of Pig and Elephant who were first featured in We are in a Book! but his Pigeon Pack (4 Book Set) books and even the much loved Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale series has never done much for me. This however shows a grasp of understanding for the way children experience and understand grief I honestly didn't know he had in him.

This is a lovely, lovely book regardless but especially nice I think if you find yourself facing questions from your kids about the bigger questions in life or if you're looking for a way to help a young person deal with a tough time in their own life.

You really can't go wrong with this. Its a treasure.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

The story of two unlikely friends and the way their relationship changes over time. A sweet and beautifully illustrated picture book about the circle of life that is sure to touch your heart!

-Lindsey D.-

A simply beautiful story of friendship through time. - Monty

[Stephen Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The watercolor pictures are wonderful, the story is a simple children's story with nice words that with the pictures invoke a beautiful peaceful carefree life.

City Dog and Country Frog
Played together.

City Dog was new to the country,
so Country Frog taught him
Country Frog games.

So nice book to read through. Giving it one less star as a grown up I would have liked something to the story that had more staying power, but a good one to get from the library to read to young ones, just remember to linger and really enjoy the artwork.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book for children on the seasons of friendship.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember writing a Shelfari review for this title when I first read it.*
What I do remember is liking this story by Mo Willems (Pigeon, Elephant & Piggie) very much. I would have given it at least 4 stars, if not 5. It's a touching story about the friendship between a dog and a frog and the cycle of life. The frog dies..
*Unfortunately my Shelfari reviews didn't transfer to goodreads. There were also titles like this one that 'disappeared' from my Shelfari shelves.

[Rob Lund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure to me. It's timeless. It's anthropomorphic of course, as all animal based children's books are. It's beautiful in it's quietness with the passage of the seasons. It's tragic in it's depiction of loss. It's triumphant in showing the power of lifelong friends.

I think I've cried each time I've read it to my kiddos.

[Emmeline Guest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Mo Willems’ books (seriously, I can’t think of one I don’t like) – but this is by far my new favorite.

Still slightly silly and fairly simple (in typically Willems’ fashion) – City Dog Country Frog is story is much sweeter, and offers grown-ups and kids alike an important lesson on friendship, the changing of seasons and life.

Subtle in both words and illustrations this book can be read in many different way to children of all different ages. The first time I read it to my five-year-old son was the day before he started Kindergarten and we talked about making friends. The second time I read was to myself, and I shed a tear at the very end. The third time I read it (again with my son) was right after the passing of his great-grandmother, and we talked about life, death and how the memories we share with people stay with us even if the person isn’t. The third time I read it with my husband and son as a family and we smiled, laughed, and giggled at the pictures (and practiced making our very own froggy smiles – of course!).

Speaking of the pictures -- Those of you who are familiar with Willems’s work and his illustrations, will not be disappointed that he did not illustrate this. Jon J Muth’s beautiful illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to this story – his illustrations truly come alive on the page – making sure the reader is thoroughly in love with both dog and frog by page five.

A truly wonderful story.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture-book super-stars Mo Willems and Jon J. Muth, each of whom has been awarded a Caldecott Honor - Willems for Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! , and Muth for Zen Shorts - join forces in City Dog, Country Frog, a poignant exploration of friendship and loss that is simply but powerfully told, and beautifully illustrated. Opening in Spring, on City Dog's first day in the country, in follows the story of an unusual cross-species friendship through the seasons, until a new Spring brings changes both heartbreaking and hopeful...

This book was simply gorgeous! I always think I am prepared for Muth's lovely watercolor artwork, but somehow it manages to sneak up on me every time, with its deft use of light and movement, and its ability to capture the emotional undercurrents of any scene. The exuberant joy, in the panel in which City Dog and Country Frog frolic amongst the rocks; the sense of happiness and expectation, as City Dog dashes through the Fall landscape, eager to be reunited with his friend; and the loneliness of Winter, as City Dog sits alone, in the snowy landscape, are all brilliantly captured in the artwork, and in Willems' simple text. Not a word is wasted, not a painting misses its mark! This is, in short, picture-book art (both written and visual) at its best - and a very great pleasure to witness. I hope this duo will collaborate again, and give us another such gift!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poignant tale about unlikely friendships by Mo Willems and Jon Muth opens when City Dog joyfully welcomes Spring by running without his leash in the countryside. He soon meets Country Frog and the two become great friends, sharing their talents: splashing, croaking, fetching, and barking as the seasons of the country pass by. I found Willems' spare, repetitive word selection was well-matched with Muth's extremely expressive watercolor illustrations. Each illustration is displayed on the right side of the page with the exception of one double spread page with City Dog sitting all alone on Country Frog's rock. No text is necessary for the reader to understand City Dog's thoughts and feelings. The story ends the way it began with Spring, and new friendships, in full bloom. It was interesting to read the story behind the story at Booklist about how this fantastic partnership came to be! City Dog, Country Frog (copyright June 2010) is a wonderful reminder that while loss and change can be difficult, and times lonely, the promise of new beginnings is always right around the corner. While the age recommendation is ages 4-8, I think children of all ages (that means you adults too) will find meaning and enjoyment in this fantastic picture book. I bought the title to use as a read aloud and mentor text with my 5th graders next year. I can't wait to share it with them!

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!

I picked this up off the shelf in the school library. Wasn't expecting much, but wanted to have some books available for the substitute. We have read some other Mo Willems this year, so I figured it couldn't be too bad.

Beginning in spring, the country dog begins to explore and finds the country frog. Reminded me of Aesop's fable. The frog was waiting for a friend, but said the dog would do. The frog taught the dog frog games. In summer, the dog taught the frog city dog games. In autumn, they remembered the good times the had had in spring and summer. Yes, this all telegraphed the sadness of winter when the dog could not find frog. :(

In spring again, the dog was waiting on the rock when a chipmunk arrived and asked what the dog was doing. He was waiting for a friend . . . but the chipmunk would do.

Awwwwwwwwwww . . .

I love it when stories come full circle like this. For such a short, quick read, this delivered a good bit of emotion. Loved Muth's illustrations, which truly captured the essence of this story.

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book didn't jump out at me at the library, but our girls picked it up. Once I saw that it was a collaboration between two of our favorite children's authors, I was eager to read it. The story is subtle, yet powerful and the depiction of the friendship between the dog and frog is simple, yet has many layers. The willing acceptance and the compromise is demonstrated, but not pounded in. And the way that the story comes full circle is heartwarming.

It's a big departure from Mo Willems' typical stories, but it is a welcome one and I hope to see more collaborations like this in the future. The illustrations are beautiful watercolors, although I did pause when I saw the picture on the "Fall" page - the leaves look suspiciously like marijuana, although kept the observation to myself. We've read this one a couple of times.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Mo Willems that was a little different for us. Not our typical Gerald and Piggie book, we decided to see if we'd like some of the other stuff by this author. A beautiful book with exquisite pictures that left us feeling a little sad. My 5 yr old really liked it, but it didn't have enough to hold the attention of my 3 yr old twins. I myself loved the illustrations and wish more books like this would win the Caldecott honor. Still, overall, a fun read, something different, and probably a solid level 1 reading book you can use with new readers.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your typical Mo Willems fare. Glorious illustrations by Jon Muth. It is about friendship and ultimately loss. Beautiful and sad. I am always a mess by the end of the book.

[Angela Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title / Author / Publication Date:
City Dog, Country Frog. / Mo Willems. Jon Muth (ill.) / 2010.

Genre: Fiction.

Format: Picturebook - print.

Plot summary:
"Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits the country he runs straight for Country Frog's rock to play games with him, but during the winter things change for them both" (NoveList).

Considerations or precautions for readers advisory:
friendship, changing seasons, sorrow and loss, joy and hope

Review citation:
"It’s hard to imagine a picture book that more consistently (and touchingly) hits all the right notes. Willems, never one to overwrite, is gracefully spare here, making every word count. That leaves room for Muth’s watercolors, richly seasonal, which fill each page. The pictures are imbued with hope and happiness, leaving and longing. This wonderful collaboration makes a significant impact with subtlety and wit. Adults and children will each take away something of their own"(Booklist: Ilene Cooper).

Section source used to find the material:
ALSC: 2011 Notable Children's Books
Children's Choices 2011: Beginning Readers (Grades K - 2)

Recommended age: Ages 4 - 8.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankly, I was really surprised to see that this was written by Mo Willems! I don't mean that to be insulting, but honestly, this seemed so different from what I'm used to seeing from him. This was a really bittersweet story, and while the text was very minimal, the pictures by Jon J. Muth were exquisitly beautiful lessons in light and color used to evoke seasons and emotion. Willems' text and Muth's art complimented each other beautifully, and really came together to tell a heartfelt story!

The story was one that clearly stirred the emotions of my niece and nephew. They loved the friendship that developed between City Dog and Country Frog, and oh my, did they ever debate the exact nature of what transpired at the end of this book! This tale alternately soothed them and ruffled them, and really, I think that's a fine indicator of great storytelling. This was worth reading.

[Alexandre Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt story about two unusual friends who discover themselves through uncommon situations. Excellent children`s picture book author Mo Williems and illustrator Jon J Muth have once again wrote and illustrated this great book, City dog, country frog. Short tale about two unusual friends and the passing of time.
City dog all excited to run in the wild without a leash meets country frog, an old tired frog. Country frog shows country dog, country frog games. Then city dog shows country frog, city dog games. As time passes the frog gets older, and ore tired. Foreshadowing country frog leaving because of winter. Of course city dog gets very sad and lonely. But when spring comes again, city dog meets a country Chipmunk and the circle of friendship starts all over again.

Great story for kids to learn about building friendship and accepting everyone for who they are. Personally Mo Willems have written his best book to date. And those great water paint illustrators really make the meaning and words of this great story stand out.

[Crystal Bandel · Rating 5 out of 5]

City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems, illustrated by Jon Muth, published 2010.

Realistic fiction.

Picture book.

Grades K-4.

Found via Horn Book Magazine, reviewed by Roger Sutton.

City Dog is new to the countryside, so when he runs through the fields near the house in the country, he's delighted to meet Country Frog and become his friend. Through spring, summer, and fall, the two do both city and country activities, as well as reminiscing when Country Frog gets tired. During the winter, Country Frog is not there, and in the spring, when City Dog realizes what happened, he makes a new friend instead of being depressed about Country Frog being gone. This book is a deceptively-simple look at friendship through the seasons, and when City Dog moves on, readers will understand the depth of his emotions. As reviewer Sutton puts it, "The ending, in which City Dog finds a new friend, is bittersweet; a tough lesson gently put." This book should work for all readers and would be especially good used in a form of bibliotherapy to help children deal with loss.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story of a friendship through the seasons...literally and figuratively. City dog and country frog meet in the spring and become instant if unusual friends. Their friendship continues through summer and fall, where they sit and remember the fun they had in spring and summer. When winter comes, city dog cannot find his dear friend and sits and waits for spring to come again. Will his old friend return, or will a new friendship develop?



I read this book with my first and second graders in my library, and we all enjoyed the story of friendship. Most of the students focused on the seasons, but a few got the meaning of the cycle of friendship. I found myself emotional each time I read it as the city dog "smiles a froggy smile." This is a wonderful addition to a personal or public library. It's definitely on my list to read again next year.

laurathebookworm.blogspot.com

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully-illustrated and sweetly-penned book -- an affecting melding of pictures and words. The dog's gleeful enthusiasm for his frog friend and the frog's wise, tender regard for her pup pal moved me like no literary relationship has for quite some time. [n/k] Our 20-month-old is especially taken with the picture of the dog swimming with the frog on his head. But a gentle warning: I wept. My husband tearily exclaimed, "Whaaa? You're killing me here!" Because seasons change, winter comes, and frog friends must go away...We were only able to give it three judicious readings because we are soft that way; nonetheless, it's a outstanding book.

[Agnė · Rating 4 out of 5]

An uplifting and a little bit heartbreaking story about friendship, seasons of the year, and the circle of life.

Jon J. Muth's watercolor illustrations are beautiful (ah, those colors!), dynamic, expressive, and they capture the four seasons perfectly:

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a leftover book I read today to a non-napper by Mo Willems. I didn't know he had ever collaborated with another illustrator. The text was unlike his other sarcasm filled books. I liked it. It was good for teaching about friendship as well as seasons changing.

[Michelle (driftingsong) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely subtle little book, although you do have to speculate about country frog at the end.

[Sweet on Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

City Dog, Country Frog is a simple story about the passing seasons and an unlikely friendship between a frog and a dog – and it is so much more than that too. When City Dog first comes to the country he is happy just to run free. Then he spies something he has never seen before - a frog sitting on a rock. Instead of running in the other direction at something (or someone) new, City Dog approaches this creature and starts a conversation. Country Frog claims that he’s waiting for a friend “But you’ll do” and from there a friendship is born.

As the seasons pass, the reader will feel City Dog’s excitement when he rushes down to Country Frog’s rock to see his new friend. Their friendship develops and the frog and dog get to know each other better. That means they learn about what the other likes to do and how to play games the other enjoys. They teach each other and agree to try new things together. Sometimes they even just sit quietly and remember the good times they’ve had. Sounds like the perfect recipe for a friendship, right? Well winter comes too soon and when City Dog rushes off to his familiar rock, things are not the same. City Dog is sad and disappointed to find that Country Frog is nowhere to be found – and we, the reader, never learn exactly where he has gone. In a two-page spread, the reader sees City Dog sitting on a rock waiting for his friend. The depth of the landscape compared to the small size of the dog seems to highlight the magnitude of his loss. In just a short time, we’ve gotten so used to seeing the frog and dog together that seeing him alone can almost bring a tear to your eye.

Well, as it does for all of us, time moves on in the country and with spring comes new hope and new friendships. This time it’s a Country Chipmunk waiting on the rock and he approaches City Dog. Of course he is still sad, but with his old friend in mind (and a “froggy smile” on his face) City Dog responds “But you’ll do” seemingly in Country Frog’s honor. I have to admit that the first time I read this story I didn’t see the beauty or scope of it but after I read it through again, I really saw its value. Charming and easy to read, this story will leave you thinking about its message long after you put it down.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little concerned about a book by Willems that he didn’t illustrate himself, but I shouldn’t have. This book is a rich exploration of friendship. A dog who has never lived in the country before runs out through the fields and comes upon a frog sitting on a rock near the water. The frog immediately invites the dog to be his friend and the two play frog games together that spring. When summer comes, the dog and frog play city dog games together, including fetch. In the fall, the frog is growing old and tired. So the two play remembering games together, thinking of spring and summer and the games they played. Then winter came and when the dog headed to the rock, the frog wasn’t there. Then spring came again, and this time the dog was the one sitting on the rock waiting for a friend. And guess who came? A new and unexpected friend.

This book is about friendship, that deep and abiding type of friendship that is about connection. It is also about loss and it captures it so vividly that children will immediately understand the gravity of winter and exactly what the dog is experiencing. It is a very powerful moment, depicted in deep blues of winter cold and silence in the text. Beautifully captured. At the same time though, it is a book about friendship continuing, new friends arriving, and the ability to move on and resume. Willem’s language is simple and adept, he says things is so few words yet captures feelings perfectly. Muth’s illustrations really capture the seasons. One can almost smell the grass of spring, the autumn leaves, and the crisp snowy air. He also imbues the animals’ faces with deep emotions yet makes sure that they are still dogs and frogs.

Highly recommended, this pairing of author and illustrator has created an amazing story that is deep and moving. Appropriate for ages 4-8. Make sure when you share this with a child that there is time to talk afterwards, it is sure to start a conversation.

[Danielle Rapoli]

Summary/Review: Dog and Frog meet and make friends in the beginning of the book. They teach each other games and grow to be best friends. As time progresses through the year frog eventually passes. Dog waits patiently for his return, but as he waits makes a new friend. The book represents the theme of loss and introduces it into the class. Happiness can still be seen as Dog is left with memories of Frog and realized he can have a friend in anyone no matter who or what they are. Uses in classroom: 1. Differences among people or animals does not mean you can 19t get along. 2. Children can write a story about making a new friend and how they may be different and the same. Paired Books: Owly, I 19m Not Quote: 1CWaiting for a friend, 1D replied City Dog sadly. Then he smiled a froggy smile and said 26 1DBut you 19ll do. 1D