City Dog, Country Frog

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Willems, Mo. 2010. City Dog, Country Frog. Ill. by Jon J. Muth. New York: Hyperion Books. ISBN 9781423103004

PLOT SUMMARY

City Dog, Country Frog is a new take on the classic Town Mouse, Country Mouse theme. In this wonderfully simple version, Mo Willems takes us through the seasons of friendship. In the spring, Dog meets Frog for the first time, and through spring and summer, they teach each other about themselves. The fall is a time for remembering. Winter finds Dog dealing with change and loss. With the advent of a new spring, Dog discovers a new friendship that will blossom with the seasons.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is wonderful as both a read-aloud and as a silent read. Mo Willems’ simple, yet beautiful language speaks to all generations. The reader is taken through the seasons of friendship, which coincide with the seasons of the year. Each season brings a new level to the developing friendship between Dog and Frog.

Joy and sadness are expressed in Jon J. Muth’s delicate watercolors. The poignancy of the main characters expressions and body language are evident on each page. The seasons pass not only through the text, but also in the scenes depicting the new birth of spring, the verdant green of summer, the flaming colors of fall, the cold white of winter, and the return of spring flowers.

As the seasons change, so do Dog and Frog. The birth of a friendship gives way to the building of memories, memories that Frog encourages Dog to hold onto as they head into winter. Grownup readers will understand what Frog is preparing Dog for, while younger readers may not understand why Frog has disappeared from the story.

The concept of loss is done in such a subtle way that the young child is unlikely to truly grasp it. If she does question what is happening, the adult(s) around her can use this book as a starting point to talk about death and/or life cycles. The language is uncomplicated and reflected in Muth’s artwork. The illustrations are clean and crisp, with just the right amount of detail. The emphasis is on the expressions of the characters, not on filling the page with distractions.

All readers will be taken with the beauty of this story, which portrays, with simplicity and grace, friendship, love, and loss between two seemingly vastly different characters.

PERSONAL RESPONSE

I first read City Dog, Country Frog out loud at a faculty meeting four months ago as part of a presentation done by a fellow teacher. While the connection to her presentation is now lost to me, this book has stayed with me. I love everything about it.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review: Booklist: “This wonderful collaboration makes a significant impact with subtlety and wit.”

School Library Journal: “ Making expert use of color and texture, Muth's expressive paintings clearly convey the tale's emotional nuances.”

ALA ALSC Notable Children's Books (2011)

Booklist Editors' Choice Books for Youth, 2010
Charlotte Zolotow Award, 2011 Honor Book United States
Choices, 2011; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
Kirkus Best Children's Books, 2010; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, May 15, 2010
Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books: Picture Books (2010)

CONNECTIONS

• Make this book part of an author/artist study.
• This book brings to mind the book Frederick by Leo Lionni. Frederick gathers memories to share in the dark of winter. Children could make simple memory books after reading both stories.
• This book could be part of a study about life/season cycles. Books to use in conjunction with City Dog, Country Frog could include:

·      Glaser, Linda. Dazzling Dragonflies: A Life Cycle Story. ISBN 978-0822567530

·      Royston, Angela. Looking at Life Cycles: How Do Plants and Animals Change. ISBN 978-0766030916

• Do a comparative study between City Dog, Country Frog and a more traditional version of the story, such as

·      Brett, Jan. Town Mouse, Country Mouse. ISBN 978-0698119864

·      or

·      Davidson, Susanna. Town Mouse and the Country Mouse.

ISBN 978-0794518776