Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a safe and happy end to the year, and that 2017 brings you plenty of good books to read, and great friends to talk about them with!
This week I’m sharing two great books that I stumbled upon in translation in a Japanese bookstore. One is a long-beloved classic, while the other is a new favourite. I was thrilled to see both being offered in Japanese, so that even more children might be able to explore and enjoy these great stories.
“Frog and Toad are Friends”, by the irreplaceable Arnold Lobel, was an absolute favorite of mine as a child, though I must confess to loving Owl at Home just a little bit more. Frog and Toad are a warm and welcoming pair, the kind of companions you wish you could hang out with. Their adventures are good-hearted and inviting, and though they sometimes tease each other, their relationship is always loving and kind.
Whether or not Frog and Toad are close platonic friends or a romantic couple is up to you to decide – I don’t think as a child I honestly would have cared either way. I remember assuming that Bert and Ernie were married, so I’m pretty sure I thought the same thing about Frog and Toad, but they could just as easily be close friends. Either way, these gentle stories are perfect for emerging readers, and have well withstood the test of time.
“Madeline Finn and the Library Dog” is a new favorite of mine, and one that makes my librarian heart all warm and fuzzy. Madeline Finn does not like reading one bit – she gets the letters all jumbled up sometimes, and the other children in class laugh at her. She tries so hard, but she can never seem to earn that coveted gold star from her teacher.
When a librarian suggests that Madeline try reading to the library’s friendly dog, though, things slowly start to change for Madeline and her relationship with reading, and she discovers a wonderful new source of courage and confidence
My library has a dog reading program, and it’s absolutely wonderful. The carefully trained dogs are friendly and gentle, and children whose relationships with reading are often fraught with anxiety and negative emotions can find in a dog a patient and nonjudgmental friend and reading partner. Dogs don’t tease you or giggle at you if you forget a word – they’re simply happy to be with you, and can make you feel like their favourite person in the world. This can be incredibly empowering and reassuring for young people, and can turn reluctant readers into confident readers.
Both of these books are warm, gentle and welcoming, with endearing characters and charming illustrations, and are perfect for young readers. I’ve shared them both with families in Canada, and I’m glad to see that children in Japan can now experience them, too!
Have a great reading week, everyone, and here’s to 2017!
I used to teach first grade so I have a warm spot for Frog and Toad. The stories are so warm and lovely. Madeline Finn is one of my favorites. I read it to first and second graders earlier in the year and they loved it. Thanks for sharing!
I loved dog stories when I was growing up, so I’m sure I would’ve loved Madeline Finn, too! I’m glad to hear your kidlets enjoyed it!
So happy to hear both of these wonderful stories are now available more widely!
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/12/woo-hoo-its-first-day-of-brand-new-year.html
Frog and Toad! Your post reminds me that I am due for a reread. I’ve never even heard of Madeline Finn and am glad to know of it. I’m always looking to add to my collection of great PBs about reading. How wonderful that your library has a dog reading program! I recently filled out a survey for my library where they asked what services they should provide: dog reading program was number 1 on my list! For totally selfish reasons: it would make me very happy to see kids reading to dogs in the library. The only thing that could make the library better is ANIMALS.
Dog reading programs are just incredible. The difference reading with a dog can make in a child’s confidence is remarkable, and it really reminds you just how wonderful dogs are. The way they look at you with those big eyes, what could be better?
I love these books, and it is wonderful to see them translated, Jane. I read an essay by Lobel’s daughter, who shared that he wrote the frog and toad books as a paean to his hidden homosexuality. The stories are personal to his relationships. And they are wonderfully loving, aren’t they? Happy New Year!
It breaks my heart to think of couples in loving relationships having to hide themselves away because their society wouldn’t accept them. Love is love, and Lobel obviously knew what that meant, because you’re so right, his stories are like a warm, comforting hug.
Love seeing these two titles in Japanese! What fun! I am an absolute forever Frog and Toad fan.
I really love that Japan publishes so many of its own titles, because it speaks to a strong cultural committment to literature, but it’s also fun to see familiar titles, sometimes with new covers and even illustrations. I wish we got more titles in translation in Canada!
I love Frog and Toad. My school library has stuffies of the characters. I loved to watch the kids holding them and reading the parts to themselves or to younger readers.
Thanks for including the pictures – they are fun to see!
Thanks for stopping by and enjoying them! I’ve become the crazy foreign lady taking pictures in bookstores.
Who doesn’t love Frog and Toad? I haven’t seen Madeline Finn and the Library Dog, but it sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing it today. Happy New Year!
And a happy new year to you, too! Isn’t it wonderful how stories written decades ago can still delight and enchant children today? Definitely the sign of a great writer!
Very nice, I love the idea of dog reading programs. Such a gentle and loving companion for kids who need one, and reading too! And Frog and Toad- haven’t read it but glad it’s in Japanese! Speaking of which, I hope you’re enjoying your Japanese adventure!
Dog reading programs are so great – he dogs are specially trained, so they’re very gentle and patient. For kids who might be teased or bullied, or maybe just don’t have anyone to listen to them, it can be a really powerful experience.
And yes, Japan is still awesome! Less than two weeks left to go! ?
Aww, these books are cute. It’s cool that you found translations of them.
It’s super cool, and interesting to sometimes see the different titles and covers for different markets!
Cute books….love the illustrations!!
ENJOY your 2017 reading year!!
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading
Ahhh! So cool! Thank you for sharing these! Happy New Year!
Frog and Toad to be universally appealing. I haven’t seen Madeline Finn and the Library Dog before. I will have to track it down. Thanks!
I loved the way Madeline Finn highlights the fact that many children develop negative emotions around reading that can really be quite damaging if not worked through. As a life-long passionate reader, it’s helpful for me to be reminded that it isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone, just like math definitely doesn’t come naturally to me!!
“I remember assuming that Bert and Ernie were married.” Hahaha I love it. That just goes to show how carefree and accepting kids are and how they’re *taught* prejudice against things like same-sex relationships.
That other story sounds sweet, and I had no idea there was such thing as dog reading programs to help children learn and get past reading anxiety, but that’s such a wonderful idea!
You really realise when working with kids that they are naturally curious, and will ask blunt, honest questions (sometimes embarassing), but that they are totally accepting until taught otherwise. They have more important things to worry about, like their brother getting to stay up late, or their sister getting to ride in the front seat!
Loving the softness of the illustrations – very comforting.
Yes, my thoughts exactly. It’s wonderful when a book’s illustrations really suit the tone and spirit of the text.
How much fun to see these translations! Thank you for sharing
Happy new year, and happy reading this week!