Natterjack Toad Makes a Mighty Crunch

Gr 1-2–Set in a lakeside cove, the story of Natterjack Toad begins as he anticipates biting into a crunch cookie treat and then is stopped in his tracks by the sight of a presumably predatory heron. Taylor includes his signature pacing and sprinkles in delightful wordplay. Fans will recognize the beloved formula; the author builds up the moment and then snatches it away from the main character. Fully delivered here, this is a surefire recipe for eliciting giggles among preschoolers and slightly older children who will be on the edge of their seats with giggles and anticipation. What’s different this time around is the ecosystem of the setting and Durst’s cartoonish illustrations, which take the key comic elements of the story through facial expressions, scale, and the use of high contrast to contribute mightily to the humorous depiction of suspense and exasperation.