A classic from 1970, “Frog and Toad Are Friends” is perfect for young readers as a first chapter book with its repetition, sight words, short sentences and beguiling characters. Pre-readers would also enjoy this as a read-aloud with its small, descriptive illustrations on nearly every page.

Readers quickly discover that Frog and Toad are friends but are also different from each other. Frog is excited for spring and wants to “. . . skip through the meadows and run through the woods and swim in the river. . .”. In contrast, Toad wants to sleep until “. . . about half past May.” But these differences are resolved through gentle humor and empathy. Each animal shows concern for the welfare of the other in various ways. When Frog is sick, Toad sits with him and tries so hard to think of a story to make Frog feel better that he makes himself sick. When Toad is sad about never getting any mail, Frog sits with him in his sadness, then cheers him up by writing him a letter.

Frog and Toad’s friendship is portrayed as doing fun things together, like hiking, swimming, and sharing stories. It is also shown to be much deeper than that; it’s about caring for friends and helping them in their time of need. Frog and Toad show children what it means to be true friends through this simple, humorous, and touching book.

“Frog and Toad are Friends” is but one of the wonderful books from the 101 Picture Book Challenge.

Alone, Together by Suzanne Bloom

Goose, Bear, and Fox are friends through thick and thin.

Big Bob, Little Bob by James Howe

Big Bob likes trucks and throwing balls and being loud. Little Bob likes dolls and jingling bracelets and being quiet. No matter what they do, they do not do it the same way. Can they possibly be friends despite these differences?

Nerdy Birdy by Aaron Reynolds

A picture book about a nerdy birdy who just wants to hang out with the cool birds.

Pax and Blue by Lori Richmond

A little boy forms an unlikely friendship with a pigeon who knows what it’s like to be small.

My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann

Something always seems to go wrong when Rabbit is around, but Mouse lets him play with his toy plane anyway because he is his good friend.

Annie and Snowball and the Dress-Up Birthday: the First Book of their Adventures by Cynthia Rylant

Annie and her pet rabbit, Snowball, invite Henry and Mudge to a dress-up birthday party, but there is some confusion about what the guests are supposed to wear.

Mouse & Hippo by Mike Twohy

When Hippo saves Mouse after he falls into the lake, Mouse paints his new friend’s portrait to thank him.