SOLVED!: Talking frog looking for his true love [s]

[Clare K. R.]

This is a children's/MG/YA book. The main character is a young boy or girl (I can't remember) and the secondary character is a talking frog. His name might be Buford? (I know it has something to do with the scientific name for frogs/toads...) He does Humphrey Bogart impressions. He is trying to find his true love, another frog, named Esmerelda. I think they both came into existence from the "diamonds and toads" fairy tale, out of the mouth of the sister cursed with frogs, toads, and snakes. I also think that Esmerelda has some kind of jewel in her head and is sought for that reason, so they have to rescue her.

The cover has the human main character looking with surprise into an aquarium, where the frog is. I read this book at least ten years ago.

[Meghan]

Is it Jennifer Murdley's Toad? I read this such a long time ago that I'm blanking on the details, but the name popped into my head first thing.

[Clare K. R.]

That's exactly it, thank you! I should have looked up Bruce Coville, I've read so many of his books... Now to see if my library still has it so I can read it again.