Beginner Readers

Title: "Frog and Toad are Friends"

Author/Illustrator: Arnold Lobel

Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers

Publication Date: 1970

ISBN: 0-06-023957-3

Rating: 5/5

"Frog and Toad are Friends" features short stories about a patient, caring frog and his carefree, crazy best friend Toad. The story opens up with the Frog tricking Toad into waking up for Spring, and the story follows the two through their crazy adventures including: an endless search for Toad's missing button, Toad's fail attempt at telling Frog a story, and an embarrassed Toad in a bathing suit. It ends with the pair waiting for a slow snail to bring Toad a letter written for his good friend.

I give this book a 5/5, because it an easy read for beginners, and it has adorable illustrations. The story also gives a very truthful depiction of true friendship, which is selfless and patient, just as Frog is selfless and patient with his friend Toad.

Title: "Frog and Toad Together"

Author/Illustrator: Arnold Lobel

Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers

Publication Date: 1972

ISBN: 0-06-023959

Rating: 5/5

This story starts with the ever patient Frog following Toad through the routines listed on his strict "To-do" list. The calm Frog helps Toad plant a garden, with the help of Toad signing to the plants. The story continues art the pair tests their willpower to stop eating cookies and challenges their bravery. Finally, this beginner reader ends when nervous Toad wakes up from a nightmare to find he has not lost his best friend after all.

I give this book a 5/5. Once again, it's an easy read by Arnold Lobel, and it really shows the true love of friendship as the two friends go through life's challenges together. 

Title: "Only the Stars"

Author: Dee Boyd

Illustrator: Anna Rich

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Publication Date: 2004

ISBN:  0-439-56862-5

Rating: 5/5

"Only the Stars" is a beginner reader about a little girl named Tia who has a love for the stars in the sky. She loves them so much, she wants her Nana to find a way to keep the stars in the sky all day long. Tia and her Nana get creative, and decide to cover her windows with black paper and make paper white stars, so that Tia can see the stars all day long. 

I give this beginner reader a 5/5. The story is very inspirational and adorable. I also like how the story has the grandmother as a main character, and not a mother or father. Some children live with their grandparents, so they'd be able to relate to this book. Finally, the illustrations are amazing. They are painted, so they are very smooth and soft.