City+Dog+Country+Frog

Willems, M. (2010). //City dog, country frog.// New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.


 * Summary:** //City Dog, Country Frog// is a true story of friendship. The book cycles through the seasons of the year as well as the seasons of friendship and life. City Dog and Country Frog quickly become close friends and teach each other their games and reflect on the many times they enjoyed together.


 * Reading Level:** 2.3
 * Grade Level:** PS-2


 * Curriculum Connections:** Willems' story would be a great text to use during the Kindergarten unit "Respecting Ourselves, Our Families, and Our Friends." One of the essential questions of the unit is "How do I make friends?" and this story shows how the two animals become friends and play together. It also provides an example of what happens when you lose a friend.


 * Student's Personal Literature Selection:** This is a go-to text for any young student who has lost someone they are close to or is important to them. The way that "City Dog" is able to adapt and make a new friend when he can't find "Country Frog," shows children how it is possible to make new friends.

The dog and frog of the title become friends over the course of three seasons, but when the dog returns in winter, the frog is not to be found. This story of a friendship cut short by mortality is economically told and bittersweet; its atmosphere is matched by Muth's paintings of the two at play in a glorious country landscape.
 * Horn Book Guide 2010: (from Mackin)**