Toad on the Road: Mama and Me by Stephen Shaskan
Published by HarperCollins on March 6th 2018
ISBN: 0062393499
Pages: 32
Goodreads

Toad on the Road: Mama and Me is the second book in the Toad on the Road series by Stephen Shaskan. Like the first book, this one has bright and humorous illustrations and a fun repeating rhyme scheme and alliteration that will appeal to kids during a read-aloud. In this book, Mama and her son, Toad, are riding in Mama’s tow truck and keep coming across friends on the road who need their help. Goat needs gas! Fox has a flat! Moose is in the muck! Mama and Toad help their friends get on their way and in the end there is a big surprise waiting for them when they get home.

The theme of helping others comes through even if a child can’t read the words yet because the pictures are so clear and funny, so while this book is geared towards kids 4 to 8, younger kids will like it too. The refrain of “Mama and Toad will save the day! Everyone shout: hip hip hooray!” is catchy and readers will enjoy the repeated phrases; this book would be great for a toddler storytime! If you have Toad on the Road in your library’s collection, I would consider this a must-buy.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook