Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Media Kit
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Trending
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Star Wars Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Board Books
      • Dr. Seuss Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Best Books for Kids
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Book Shop
    The Children's Book Review

    City Dog, Country Frog, by Mo Willems | Book Review

    Kelley SmithBy Kelley SmithMay 12, 2016Updated:May 18, 20164 Mins Read Ages 0-3 Ages 4-8 Animal Books Best Kids Stories Picture Books
    City Dog Country Frog Mo Willems
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Children’s Book Review | May 12, 2016

    City Dog Country Frog Mo WillemsCity Dog, Country Frog

    Written By Mo Willems

    Illustrated by Jon J. Muth

    Age Range: 3-7

    Hardback: 64 pages

    Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children (2010)

    ISBN-13: 978-1423103004

    What to expect: Dogs, Frogs, Emotions, Seasons, Friendship, Fun, Sharing, New Friends, Loss

    Mo Willems, a prolific children’s author, gives his readers a surprising change with this story. City Dog, Country Frog is a definite departure from Willems’ wildly popular and adorably silly Pigeon and Elephant and Piggie books, but it is a sweet, sensitive departure for kids and parents alike.

    City Dog comes to the country on a beautiful spring day and he meets Country Frog. Country Frog tells City Dog that he is “waiting for a friend, but you’ll do.” So begins the unlikely friendship between a young, energetic dog and an older, slower frog. The dog teaches the frog how to play “city dog games” during their first spring romp. The friends meet again in the summer to play “country frog games.” By the time fall arrives, Country Frog is clearly tired and aging so the two friends play “remembering games” and sleep close together. City Dog returns to the country in winter and looks for his friend but the frog is not perched on his usual rock. City Dog spends the day alone in quiet reflection. Spring comes and now, it is City Dog sitting on a rock, quietly waiting. Country Chipmunk approaches City Dog and a new friendship begins.

    With only a few words per page, Willems teaches children about seasons, friendship, compromise, aging, and loss. The watercolor illustrations are not mere accompaniments; they infuse the story with a lovely pathos that grows as the seasons progress. (The picture of City Dog waiting for Country Frog in winter is achingly beautiful.)

    City Dog, Country Frog is a seemingly simple book with a powerful message. Losing a friend is a difficult part of life, but every friendship offers experiences and memories that shape us. The brilliance of the story is its simplicity; no long explanations are needed to explain the frog’s absence. A younger child may think the frog went to another rock. An older child may quickly understand that the frog has passed away. Whatever the level of the child’s understanding, City Dog, Country Frog introduces the concept of loss with perfect grace.

    Add this book to your collection: City Dog, Country Frog

    Available Here: 

    About Mo Willems

    Mo Willems knows a Good Idea when he sees one. A three-time Caldecott Honor winner (for Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny, and Knuffle Bunny Too), he also won two Geisel Medals and two Geisel Honors for his Elephant and Piggie books. His books are perennial New York Times bestsellers, including Knuffle Bunny Free, Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator!, and the Cat the Cat series. Before he turned to making picture books, Mo was a writer and animator on Sesame Street, where he won six Emmys. Mo lives with his family in Massachusetts.

    About Jon J. Muth

    JON J MUTH has written and illustrated many acclaimed picture books including his Caldecott Honor title, “Zen Shorts”, which “Kirkus” proclaimed, As perfect a picture as can be; and “The Three Questions”, which the “New York Times Book Review” called quietly life-changing. His book “Zen Ties” was a “New York Times” bestseller. He lives in New York State with his wife and four children.

    City Dog, Country Frog, by Mo Willems and Jon. J. Muth, was reviewed by Kelley Smith. Discover more books like City Dog, Country Frog by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Adventure, Dogs, Friendship, Hope, Loss of a Pet, and Nature.

    How You Support The Children's Book Review
    We may receive a small commission from purchases made via the links on this page. If you discover a book or product of interest on this page and use the links provided to make a purchase, you will help support our mission to 'Grow Readers.' Your support means we can keep delivering quality content that's available to all. Thank you!
    Books About Making New Friends City Meets Country Books Dogs Emotions & Behavior Friendship Frogs Jon J Muth Loss Mo willems Season Books Sharing
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleWhere the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls | Book Giveaway
    Next Article Goddess Girls: Book 19: Echo the Copycat | Book Spotlight
    Kelley Smith
    • Website

    Kelley Smith is a former high school science teacher and a current stay-at-home mom. She fell in love with books many decades ago, after reading her first chapter book (Ramona the Pest) with no adult assistance. Kelley loves reading to her two children and sometimes, her three pets listen, too.

    3 Comments

    1. Vickie Prenatt on June 23, 2016 4:45 pm

      Too cute thanks for the offer

      Reply
    2. Amanda I on February 11, 2022 8:22 pm

      This is one of the most touching and sweet children’s books I have ever read! I teach Jr. High and High School, however, while covering a kindergarten class one day, I picked up the book and read it to the kids! Not used to reading these kinds of stories often, I found myself very moved by the words and images. It made me even more grateful to be teaching such bright minds, and witness their growth! This is a lovely book for animal lovers and anyone who is missing a friend!

      Reply
      • Bianca Schulze on February 25, 2022 4:16 pm

        Awww! The effect a book can have is wonderful!

        Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Recent Articles
    • Exploring the Elements: A Complete Guide to the Periodic Table | Book Review
    • Clementine Gets UNSTUCK! | Dedicated Review
    • Marty and Lenny, by Tania Woznicki | Book Review
    • Laura Smetana Discusses Ice Cream with Grandpa: A Loving Story for Kids about Alzheimer’s and Dementia
    • Ice Cream with Grandpa: A Loving Story for Kids about Alzheimer’s and Dementia | Dedicated Review
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn
    • Book Shop
    • Policies
    • Media Kit
    • Buzzworthy Mentions on the Path to Growing Readers!
    • About TCBR
    © 2022 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.