One of my son’s favorite books growing up were the Frog & Toad books by author and illustrator Arnold Lobel written back in the 1970s. There is something timeless and innocent about how the books are written that connected with both him and me at completely different levels.

The books center around two friends, who just happen to be a frog and a toad and their many adventures together. The simple stories highlight their friendship for one another and send a timeless message of kindness and consideration that is sometimes harder to find in more contemporary children's literature. Although he is older now, we still read the stories today and quote favorite lines back and forth to each other.

With that in mind, we are excited to invite you to a special Storytime with these beloved literary friends on the library lawn on Saturday, July 29 at 11 a.m. Frog & Toad (played by two local youth actors) will read this classic tale and perform a special number from the musical “A Year with Frog & Toad!” The musical, commissioned by Lobel's daughter Adrianne Lobel, ran briefly on Broadway in 2003. It was nominated for three Tony Awards.

Over the years, the books have gained more critical acclaim and are now valued by experts in children's literature for its portrayal of the value of friendship. The Frog and Toad books have won a Caldecott Honor, a Newbery Honor, and a Christopher Award. The Christopher awards recognize "media that 'affirm the highest values of the human spirit.

The stories live on today with adaptations on Apple TV and new print editions. In 2008, three of Arnold Lobel's uncolored, unpublished Frog and Toad writings were discovered in an estate sale. They were consolidated into two books and colored by Lobel's daughter Adrianne Lobel.

Despite their differences (Frog is more cheery and relaxed while Toad is definitely more serious and uptight) the two characters never fail to support each other. The overriding message we are left with, is that life’s difficulties feel easier with the help of a friend.