City Dog, Country Frog
by Mo Willems (Simon and Schuster, 2010, 64 pages, $17.00, ages 3-6)
A city dog first visits the countryside in the spring, off
leash, and spies a country frog waiting for a playmate: the city dog ‘will do,’
so they play country-frog games. When the city dog returns in the summer, they
play city-dog games. During the fall, the country frog tires and slows down so
by the water’s edge they soak up the autumn sun’s rays while playing
‘remembering games.’ City dog cannot find his friend during the winter or when
he returns the following spring but he meets a country chipmunk and says that
he ‘will do’ for a friend.
And so the cycle of life begins once again.
Adults will simply love the delightful watercolor
illustrations (check out the cover illustration).
Kids will love the lack of adults and will learn about
friendship with those different from us.
For a deeper meaning, children and their adults can talk
about the passing of life, the continuation of life, and the short lifespans in
the animal world, including those of our pets.
On a lighter level, City Dog is all about sharing games and life - with those who are different from us.
City Dog, Country Frog reminds one of a Charlotte’s Web for the younger set: good friends can be found everywhere!
And so can good books.
(Both author and illustrator are New York Times’ best sellers
and Caldecott honorees.)
It could be that you've had one too many strays become pets, so how do you say "No" to the stray animals your child brings home
ReplyDeleteNot sure how your comment pertains to the book, City Dog, Country Frog, but perhaps you could involve your child in volunteering at the animal shelter or with a rescue? Then the child will know what to do when encountering a stray other than 'home.'
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