Days With Frog and Toad

***Days With Frog and Toad*** is the fourth of four books in *Frog and Toad* series, written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel and published by HarperCollins Children's Books. It was released on January 1, 1979.

## Book Summary

What can be more wonderful than spending time with a friend? Frog and Toad do almost everything together. When Toad worries about cleaning his house, Frog is there to support him. When Frog wants to fly a kite, Toad is there to help him. The two sit and shiver at Frog's scary ghost story, which may or may not be true, and when the hat Frog gives Toad for his birthday is too big, Frog thinks of a way to make it fit. Then one day, Frog wants to spend time alone, and Toad is afraid that he has lost his friend forever. But Frog's explanation, as Toad soon sees, is "a very good reason for wanting to be alone," and the two finish out the day alone - together.

## Chapters

1. "Tomorrow"
2. "The Kite"
3. "Shivers"
4. "The Hat"
5. "Alone"

## Plot Summary

### "Tomorrow"

Toad wakes up and realizes that he has a lot of work to do, which he decides to leave for tomorrow. Frog proceeds to nag Toad about his work, such as cleaning the house or taking care of his plants. This upsets Toad, and now he cannot stop thinking about the amount of work he has for tomorrow. Toad then realizes that if he does the work today, he will not have to do it tomorrow. He does all of the work he planned for the next day so tomorrow he can enjoy himself.

### "The Kite"

Frog and Toad decide they want to fly a kite on a windy day. Toad tried to fly the kite, but it comes back down. Robins in a nearby bush make fun of Toad. He tries to give up, but Frog convinces him to try again, this time shaking the kite, which fails. Again and again, Toad tries to give up but Frog continues to convince him to try again. Eventually, Frog suggests he try yelling "Up kite up!". This causes the kite to soar high into the air, and Frog and Toad sit and watch.

### "Shivers"

On a cold and dark night, Frog tells a uncertain Toad a ghost story which gives them both the shivers. Frog's story begins with walking with his parents for a picnic, but it became late and they warned of the Old Dark Frog who eats children. He was left alone in a cave and the Old Dark Frog appeared in front of Frog. Toad questions Frog about the stories authenticity, but Frog shrugs it off and continues. The Dark Frog told Frog he is not hungry now, but after he jump ropes one hundred times, he will be. He demanded Frog turn the rope so the Dark Frog can jump. When the Dark Frog got to 90, Frog tied the Dark Frog to the tree with the rope, ran away, and made it home safe with his parents.

### "The Hat"

Frog gives Toad a hat on his birthday, which is too big, and Frog offers to fix it. Toad says he likes it the way it is, but he trips and falls because he cannot see. Toad is upset, and Frog tells Toad to think very big thoughts to make his head grow. While Toad dreams of mountains and trees, Frog sneaks into Toad's house while he sleeps and takes his hat. He pours water on the hat and lets it dry so the hat would shrink and returns it to Toad. Toad is amazed when the hat fits in the morning. Frog and Toad go for a walk while Toad wears the hat, and he does not run into anything.

### "Alone"

Frog writes to Toad that he wants to be alone, but Toad finds Frog on the river and assumes he is sad. Toad makes a picnic and tries to get Frog's attention, but he does not notice. Toad rides a turtle out to Frog and apologizes for whatever he has done to hurt Frog. He falls off the turtle, ruining the picnic, and Frog pulls him out of the water. Frog tells Toad he is happy and likes having him as a friend. He wanted to be alone to think about how good life is. Toad understands, and they eat the soggy sandwiches and enjoy their afternoon.

## Categories

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Days with Frog and Toad (Frog and Toad, #4)