Storytime, a summer event series hosted by Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, performed a reading and special musical performance of “Frog and Toad” on the lawn Saturday, July 29 to a crowd of near 70 parents and excited children. The event was organized by Bethany Schmidt, programs and technology manager for the library.

Actors Imij Armstead (Toad) and Scout Martin (Frog) sang “A Year with Frog and Toad” (Robert and Willie Reale, 2002) from the musical of the same name, then segued into a dramatic reading of “Cookies” from the book “Frog and Toad Together” (Harper & Row, 1972).

There are four books in the Frog and Toad series, each containing five short stories. The stories offer young readers lessons in patience, courage, nature, belonging, friendship, hard work, discovery and, in the case of “Cookies,” willpower.

Arnold Lobel, author and illustrator of the “Frog and Toad” books, won a Caldecott Medal for best-illustrated U.S. picture book for “Fables” in 1981; “Frog and Toad Are Friends” was a runner up for the same honor.

Frog and Toad have become beloved literary character heavyweights – Frog, for his cheerfulness and steadfast common sense; Toad, for his stubbornness, cynicism and silliness. Regardless of which amphibian’s qualities are most appealing, one thing is clear – they are friends. Best friends. Friends who stick with each other through thick and thin, often in situations that cross both human and animal worlds.

Lobel’s daughter, Adrianne Lobel, commissioned the Broadway musical, “A Year with Frog and Toad” which was nominated for three Tony awards including Best Musical 2003 and Best Original Score 2003 according to Broadway World.