A Toad for Tuesday

Warton

by Russell E. Erickson, Lawrence Fiori (Illustrator)

Can an owl and a toad really be friends? Warton the toad is very proud of himself when he straps on a pair of homemade skis and ventures out in th dead of winter to visit Aunt Toolia. But then an owl swoops down and carries Warton off to his lair, promising to gobble him up as birthday treat come Tuesday. Can Warton's bravery and wit turn the owl from enemy to friend in just five days?

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Chapter Books, Animals, Fantasy, 2nd Grade

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

This looked like the next reading level Frog and Toad, and it starts off kind of like that, with the two toad brothers housekeeping together, but it quickly becomes more fraught as one ventures into the frightening natural world.

Nature red in tooth and claw is even freakier if you presume animals can have long, meaningful chats before eating one another.

Moral: Stay home. Don't try sharing your snacks, it's not worth it.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! Warton the toad sets off on a journey to visit his aunt, and he gets caught by an owl who plans to save him for his birthday on Tuesday. Warton decides to be friendly with the owl in an attempt to save his life? What happens? Read the book to find out! I really enjoyed this book, it was sweet and had a happy ending.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Toad for Tuesday is one of four books we picked up on our trip to Oregon back in February. As Sean is enamored with owls we both agreed this looked like a good book for him. I was immediately drawn to it for Lawrence di Fiori's illustrations. They are reminisicent of Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad series and his Owl at Home book.

The story is one of an unlikely friendship and redemption. Warton Toad finds himself the prisoner of an owl who plans to save him for his birthday dinner on the upcoming Tuesday. In that time Warton tries to make his remaining days as pleasant as possible while he either convinces the owl to let him go or he finds a way to escape.

What neither character expects is to actually enjoy the company of the other. The owl comes to enjoy his conversations over tea with Warton and Warton realizes the owl's tree house can be homey once it is given a well needed spring cleaning.

Both characters change and grow over the course of this 64 page story. The book thankfully ends without giving a summary moral at the end.

[Nader Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a warm, cozy atmosphere from the very beginning, and I especially enjoyed it because I love stories about animals.

All the characters were genuinely likable, and even though the story is very simple, it puts a real smile on your face while reading.
The writing style is light and easy, yet still charming and pleasant, and I found myself wanting to know what would happen.

Right before the ending, the story became surprisingly emotional for me I was actually worried that something bad might happen, which shows how attached I felt.
Thankfully, the ending is sweet and happy.

I closed this book wishing I could find the rest of the series and continue reading, and I would especially love to see the owl character appear again in future books.

Overall, it was a very cute and heartwarming reading experience.
***************************************
Verdict
(7.5/10)

[Rachel Dykes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful children’s story about the friendship between two unlikely characters! Important character traits and themes are bravery, friendliness, flexibility, perseverance, and kindness.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute.

[Shanna Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warton the toad, undeterred by the dangerous winter weather, determines to visit his Aunt Toolia to bring her some of his brother Morton's delicious beetle brittle. He fashions skis and sallies forth, only to be captured by a dour owl who determines to eat him as a special treat on his upcoming birthday. As the days count down, Warton's kindness toward his captor causes the owl to question whether he really wants to eat the animal who has become his only friend. The story culminates in a dramatic rescue -- but not the one the reader anticipates.

Warton the Toad is courteous and helpful to others, and he keeps his environment orderly. He brings a friendly conviviality to the lonely owl's table by lighting candles and serving tea, even in the face of his impending death. His courage, ingenuity and generosity commend him as a hero that young listeners will want to identify with.

This delightful story situates itself somewhere between The Frog and Toad Collection Box Set (I Can Read Book 2) Frog and Toad All Year / Frog and Toad Are Friends / Frog and Toad Together and The Wind in the Willows in reading level. It has a wider vocabulary than most picture books or easy readers, and makes an excellent read-aloud for young listeners just transitioning into chapter books.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember loving Russell Erickson books as a child and when I found this in perfect condition at a thrift store, I had to buy it. I've read it to my five year old and he has been captivated by the story. He hangs on every word and is anticipating what's to come next. It makes me so happy to share this story with him and to feel the same excitement he's now experiencing. I hope this is something that he will one day share with his children.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a charming book, full of adventure and bonding over tea and wearing fuzzy slippers and making places tidy and an unlikely friendship. I read this to my boys in less than an hour and even the 3 year old was riveted.

[Srividhya Manikandan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for the kids...

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read aloud for kindergarten or first grade children. Warton the toad is off to visit his aunt Toolia in the middle of winter when he helps a mouse who is upside down in a snowdrift. Later, Warton is captured by an owl who announces that Warton will be the owl's special birthday treat on Tuesday. Warton, realizing he cannot escape the owl's high tree home, makes the best of his situation, as slowly he and the owl have tea, talk, and share ideas. Meanwhile, the owl crosses days off the calendar as his birthday approaches, and he still intends to eat Warton. How can Warton be saved?

[Riaan Thakre · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about perseverance. The book is about someone named Morton who does cooking while wortan does the cleaning. One day working Wharton enjoys Morgan, Vittal Bittle. He wants to deliver it to the snow so he takes some skis and goes but on the way he meets a owl and gets attacked and he stays till Tuesday but he’s gonna get eaten but because of the owl says he’s not going to eat him, and then they live happily ever after

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet book about friendship...krb 11/28/18

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful, quality, heartwarming read aloud book. How to cultivate a friendship even when he begins as your enemy.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fun read-aloud for our family!

[J. Fosbenner · Rating 4 out of 5]

favorite quote:
________
“Then the toad hopped around to where he could look up at him. ‘I would be happy to be your friend’.”
- A TOAD FOR TUESDAY by Russell E. Erickson (1974)

[Bridget Mcgahen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud with the kids -- Sweet little friendship chapter book

[Kristiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, unlikely story of friendship.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book aloud to my four-year-old. The language is not too difficult and the story is cute.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little story read to Luke at bedtime. I'd never heard of until I saw it on the Ambleside Online book list.

[Shannon Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

We just finished the last page a few minutes ago, and the first thing my little boys said was "Is there another book. There has to be another book!" They were disappointed when I didn't immediately answer in the affirmative. I have no clue. This was a great recommendation if you're looking for a short, engaging read aloud. It would also double as a great beginning chapter book once your little one is ready to move past easy readers. The only downside to using this book in that way is that there aren't, in fact, any chapter divisions (at least not in the original 1974 edition). Still, I heartily recommend it, particularly for those who are looking forward to introducing their little ones to "The Wind in the Willows." This would be a great book to start to build their interest in stories centered around the friendships of woodland creatures. ;)

[Britney Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great book, the reason why closed it is because the title. "A toad for Tuesday", I usually like titles that have some interesting events in the story. A toad for Tuesday gets me into a mood that is excitement, and much more. I can't really describe it that well, but it's a great book. The title gives me a feeling that an owl would eat a toad, on Tuesday. There has to be a reason why the owl would eat the toad on Tuesday. It was actually the owl's birthday. Titles do get picked, and chosen, and sometimes made by-self, for a reason, and part of the title, is the main problem in the story. Once more, this would be a great book for everyone to read.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two toad brothers, Morton and Warton, live together very cozily. One winter evening, Warton decides to take some food to their auntie. On the way, he is caught by an owl who wants to eat him the following Tuesday. Throughout the book they start to become friends and at the end Warton saves the owl (and doesn't get eaten!). I think if your child likes the Frog and Toad books your child would like this book.

[Shanley Mahsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful story about a courageous little toad who sets out on a snowy adventure, using his handcrafted skis, to deliver some beetle brittle to his Aunt Toolia. However, his journey takes a surprising turn when he is captured by a smart owl named George, who has other plans for him. This heartwarming and thrilling tale is ideal for advanced 3rd grade students and older middle-grade readers.

[Catie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. We could not put this book down! I read it in two or three sittings with my girls! (Ages 4 and 6) It's a great story about a toad who wants to take some Beetle Brittle to his Aunt Toolia in the winter. On his way he encounters an owl which is where the story gets interesting! I highly recommend this book for anyone under 10. And adults of course. ;)

[Joann Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite longer read-aloud books for 3rd graders. Wharton is a very resourceful toad who deals creatively with adversity. Ultimately he learns the power of friendship in a humorous and suspenseful story. I loved sharing with my grandson as I had loved sharing it with my students years ago.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful and tender book. We loved this story of a toad who lives as an owl's prisoner for a week. There are more books about this particular toad by Erickson, but we have yet to find them at the library. Still looking. . .

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful. Sweet and simple.

The perfect book for advanced little ones or struggling older ones. I could go on and on about word choice, inference, and voice but I'll try and keep the teacher on a leash.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A plucky hero, a curmudgeonly villain, a happy ending in which everyone gets their hearts' desire. A terrific read-aloud for a young child with a long attention span. Also, Wharton is my personal hero.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite children's books. Ok, so I still like it. ;) I can't wait until my niece is old enough for me to read it to her. This story taught me a lot about the power of kindness and persistence to overcome fear and dislike.