What do you think?
Rate this book
Once Upon a Toad
A girl gets into a mouthful of trouble in this modern fractured fairy tale, from the author of The Mother-Daughter Book Club .
Once upon a time, Cat Starr lived with her astronaut mom in Houston. But when her mother gets sent on a long-term mission, Cat has to move to a far away land—her dad’s house, halfway across the country—and share a room with her real-life evil stepsister, Olivia. Just when Cat can’t take it anymore, Great-Aunt Abyssinia comes to the rescue. And things go from bad to worse.
The next morning, Cat opens her mouth and a toad hops out! What’s more, when Olivia speaks, diamonds and flowers appear. How unfair is that ? Before you can say "happily ever after," the girls are on the run from jewel thieves and a government agency. Can Cat save the day—and get rid of all those toads?
This is an enchanting fractured fairy tale from acclaimed Mother-Daughter Book Club author Heather Vogel Frederick.
Once upon a time, Cat Starr lived with her astronaut mom in Houston. But when her mother gets sent on a long-term mission, Cat has to move to a far away land—her dad’s house, halfway across the country—and share a room with her real-life evil stepsister, Olivia. Just when Cat can’t take it anymore, Great-Aunt Abyssinia comes to the rescue. And things go from bad to worse.
The next morning, Cat opens her mouth and a toad hops out! What’s more, when Olivia speaks, diamonds and flowers appear. How unfair is that ? Before you can say "happily ever after," the girls are on the run from jewel thieves and a government agency. Can Cat save the day—and get rid of all those toads?
This is an enchanting fractured fairy tale from acclaimed Mother-Daughter Book Club author Heather Vogel Frederick.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2012
14 people are currently reading
868 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
June 1, 2012
I really enjoyed this over-the-top reworking of an old fairy tale. I found the characters fun and believable, the set-up enjoyable, and the payoff delightful. I loved that it's set in my town, and I dug the Great Aunt a lot. There's a tiny Betsy-Tacy nod embedded in this book, and it made me laugh out loud. I would have loved this even more had I read it at age 9 or so.
Frederick has a sure hand with snappy dialogue, and her middle-schoolers are very true to life.
Disclosure: I'm friends with Frederick in real life.
Frederick has a sure hand with snappy dialogue, and her middle-schoolers are very true to life.
Disclosure: I'm friends with Frederick in real life.
July 19, 2024
My nine year old loved this book, but I felt it was too cheesy and predictable.
Evil step sisters, weird fairy godmothers, kidnappings, area 51, FBI agents, a bald Elvis....I mean, this book had a lot going on. Haha
The author's writing style is definitely meant for young readers.
Evil step sisters, weird fairy godmothers, kidnappings, area 51, FBI agents, a bald Elvis....I mean, this book had a lot going on. Haha
The author's writing style is definitely meant for young readers.
November 20, 2022
This was a really funny book and I highly recommend it for anyone who likes fairy tales. Some other books by this same author (Heather Vogel Frederick) is for example: the Mother Daughter Book Club Sires. It has seven books in it and all of her books have drama, sadness, and other emotion. This book in particular, there is a lot of suspense and mystery, though it is not a mystery book. I rate this book 5 stars and I think it is a book for everyone.
November 3, 2012
I loved this book too! I like how there is always a big problem in the book that this author writes, and the characters always come up with very interesting ways to solve them! I couldn't put this book down!
July 3, 2012
This was an awesome book!! It had a wonderful plot line!! I thought it was going to be so predictable but it had so many twists and turns that i couldn't make easy predictions! Loved IT
February 23, 2023
This book was a ticklish, contemporary retelling of a rarely-touched tale: Diamonds and Toads.
In the original tale, a woman has two daughters: one's a stepdaughter, the other her true-born daughter: she favors her own child and sends the stepdaughter to do all the menial work. So far, so good, eh? Continuing, the woman sends the stepdaughter out to draw water and when (as so often happens in these tales) the kind stepdaughter encounters a wizened old woman and shares her water, the crone 'blesses' her with jewels and flowers pouring out of her face every time she talks. When the mother tries to re-create the event (but with her own child) the spoiled daughter is, of course, rude to the fairy-in-disguise and gets cursed with toads pouring out every time she opens her mouth. Some versions I've read end with the pretty one marrying a prince— others go on to have a plotline about the toady sister attempting to usurp her life and being discovered (due to the toads) and put to death.
I tend to dislike a lot of contemporary retellings, but this one, with its strong family component and light romance, really charmed me. It was fun. It broke the mold that stepfamilies suck. It had an Elvis impersonator. It had a... 'defective' fairy godmother who lives in an RV and can't cook to save her life. It didn't stick to too much of the original plot(s) that I can recall, besides the whole stepsisters-spewing-different-things-when-they-talk deal, but I honestly didn't mind it much this time.
Content warnings: Nasty behavior between teen girls, including the exchange of gross nicknames, yelling "I hate you", etc. No language that I can recall, and no scary stuff. (At least, in my opinion.) One character is regularly carsick, and vomits. A character is kidnapped. Divorce is a component in the tale, as stepsisters happen more often nowadays in that fashion than in the other...
But give this one a read! It's a fun little tale that'll give you at least a few giggles, and maybe a few ideas!
In the original tale, a woman has two daughters: one's a stepdaughter, the other her true-born daughter: she favors her own child and sends the stepdaughter to do all the menial work. So far, so good, eh? Continuing, the woman sends the stepdaughter out to draw water and when (as so often happens in these tales) the kind stepdaughter encounters a wizened old woman and shares her water, the crone 'blesses' her with jewels and flowers pouring out of her face every time she talks. When the mother tries to re-create the event (but with her own child) the spoiled daughter is, of course, rude to the fairy-in-disguise and gets cursed with toads pouring out every time she opens her mouth. Some versions I've read end with the pretty one marrying a prince— others go on to have a plotline about the toady sister attempting to usurp her life and being discovered (due to the toads) and put to death.
I tend to dislike a lot of contemporary retellings, but this one, with its strong family component and light romance, really charmed me. It was fun. It broke the mold that stepfamilies suck. It had an Elvis impersonator. It had a... 'defective' fairy godmother who lives in an RV and can't cook to save her life. It didn't stick to too much of the original plot(s) that I can recall, besides the whole stepsisters-spewing-different-things-when-they-talk deal, but I honestly didn't mind it much this time.
Content warnings: Nasty behavior between teen girls, including the exchange of gross nicknames, yelling "I hate you", etc. No language that I can recall, and no scary stuff. (At least, in my opinion.) One character is regularly carsick, and vomits. A character is kidnapped. Divorce is a component in the tale, as stepsisters happen more often nowadays in that fashion than in the other...
But give this one a read! It's a fun little tale that'll give you at least a few giggles, and maybe a few ideas!
September 23, 2022
Here’s what this is about:”Once upon a time, Cat Starr lived with her astronaut mom in Houston. But when her mother gets sent on a long-term mission, Cat has to move to a faraway land—her dad’s house, halfway across the country—and share a room with her real-life evil stepsister, Olivia. Just when Cat can’t take it anymore, Great Aunt Abyssinia comes to the rescue. And things go from bad to cursed. The next morning, Cat opens her mouth and a toad hops out! What’s more, when Olivia speaks, diamonds and flowers appear. How unfair is that? Before you can say "happily ever after," the girls are on the run from jewel thieves and a government agency. Can Cat save the day—and get rid of all those toads?”
I listened to this book on Libby. I really enjoyed this book and I liked how this book ended. This was a fun, lighthearted read and it’s easy to understand what’s going on in the story. I didn’t ever get confused about what was going on. I liked the fairytale aspect of this because I like fairytales and I like that Houston was mentioned because I live in Houston. There wasn’t anything that I disliked. I would recommend if you like fairytales and if you want a fun, lighthearted book to read that’s easy to understand. I also think this would be perfect for adults, little girls and teenage girls to read too. I will be reading more books from this author.
I listened to this book on Libby. I really enjoyed this book and I liked how this book ended. This was a fun, lighthearted read and it’s easy to understand what’s going on in the story. I didn’t ever get confused about what was going on. I liked the fairytale aspect of this because I like fairytales and I like that Houston was mentioned because I live in Houston. There wasn’t anything that I disliked. I would recommend if you like fairytales and if you want a fun, lighthearted book to read that’s easy to understand. I also think this would be perfect for adults, little girls and teenage girls to read too. I will be reading more books from this author.
October 21, 2019
When Catriona “Cat” Starr’s astronaut mom is sent on a long-term mission to space, she is forced to temporarily live with her dad and his new family. This shouldn’t be too bad, right? Nope. Not only is her dad’s house halfway across the country, but it’s also the middle of the school year. There’s also her stepsister Olivia, who’s a total witch. Even the silver linings, like her nice stepfamily and new friends, don’t make up for the fact that Cat is having a heck of a horrible time. Just when it seems like things can’t get any worse, Cat’s great-aunt Abyssinia comes to the rescue - and ruins everything.
Now Cat is spewing toads whenever she speaks while Olivia drips with flowers and gems, not to mention the fact that jewel thieves and a government agency are after them. Can the girls make it safely back home and fix this awful mess?
I liked how the author based this book off a fairy tale. The sisters who drop roads and diamonds when they speak were based on the French fairy tale “Diamonds and Toads”. Although the ending was a little predictable, with the sisters becoming friends, this book was a fun, lighthearted read. I’d recommend it to those who like modern twists on traditional fairy tales.
Now Cat is spewing toads whenever she speaks while Olivia drips with flowers and gems, not to mention the fact that jewel thieves and a government agency are after them. Can the girls make it safely back home and fix this awful mess?
I liked how the author based this book off a fairy tale. The sisters who drop roads and diamonds when they speak were based on the French fairy tale “Diamonds and Toads”. Although the ending was a little predictable, with the sisters becoming friends, this book was a fun, lighthearted read. I’d recommend it to those who like modern twists on traditional fairy tales.
April 24, 2020
This book is amazing!!! Why? I love fairy tales! This book is full of mystery, fairy tales,adventure, and Spells!!! Who would not like the combination? This book is also by Heather Vogel Frederick my favorite author from the mother-Daughter book club! It all starts with Catriona, Cat. Her mother is an astronaut who has to go into space immediately with no warning. Cat has 2 options. Either go to her great aunt, or go to her father and step-mother. she thinks her great aunt is weird so of course no way! But she doesn't want to go to her dad because of her stepsister. she finally decides on her dads place. her step - sister does horrible things until things get out of control. finally her great aunt comes to visit. she wakes up and starts talking and toads fall down. She doesn't want to scare her parents so she doesn't tell them what is happening. What is happening? There is only one thing to do.
What happens? read this book next.
What happens? read this book next.
June 2, 2017
Cat Starr the heroine of Once Upon a Toad is forced to live with her father when her mother is called away to an urgent mission in space. When Cat goes to live with her father she is tormented by her step-sister Olivia. Cat finds help from her mother by sending Great-Aunt Abyssinia to the rescue. Cat’s great aunt turns out to be not that helpful, so Cat decides to stay with her father instead. Shortly after Cat’s great aunt leaves, something incredibly strange happens; toads start to come out of Cat’s mouth when she tries to speak! Cat’s step sister has a similar problem, but instead of toads, jewels come out of Olivia’s mouth. This is just the beginning of what turns out to be a wild ride as thieves, government agencies and kidnappers all show up. Cat and Oliva must team up to save there brother, this book is a must read!
September 9, 2018
A fun filled book that combines the modern times of now with Fairy Tale elements. It's very much of the story of the sister and evil Step-Sister, although with no evil Stepmother as Catriona's stepmother is actually nice. The story did feel fun and exciting at points with humor from a Fairy Godmother(Great-Aunt Abysinnia) who gives life lessons to be tackled instead of wishes.
The humor was great, but some of the scenes felt weird and some things felt glossed over and a little rushed towards the end. The ending was also a little predictable and certain characters and scenes could've been expanded more. The ending was left with a few cliffhangers as to all of the snowglobes in Great-Aunt Aby's RV, but was obvious in a way and the explanation of how all the people in the snowglobes are related to Catriona, which is said to be told to her by her mother later on.
The humor was great, but some of the scenes felt weird and some things felt glossed over and a little rushed towards the end. The ending was also a little predictable and certain characters and scenes could've been expanded more. The ending was left with a few cliffhangers as to all of the snowglobes in Great-Aunt Aby's RV, but was obvious in a way and the explanation of how all the people in the snowglobes are related to Catriona, which is said to be told to her by her mother later on.
July 17, 2020
This book started off a little odd and, if I'm being honest, completely crazy for my liking, but I ended up loving it! The reason is that the book just kind of embraced its weirdness. It was consistent throughout the whole book. Once readers accept the weird circumstances and stop thinking about the logistics of it, you'll be totally emersed in the storyline and transported into the book. The storyline is fun and unpredictable, without straying too far away from the main plot. It's definitely weird a story, but an awesome story nonetheless!
I highly recommend to people who like realistic fiction books.
I highly recommend to people who like realistic fiction books.
June 16, 2018
5th to 7th grade
As this is the same author of the Mother Daughter Book Club, the book has the same writing style. In this book, Cat does not have a good relationship with her step-sister, Olivia(don't worry, this is not Cinderella). Things get a little scary as a great aunt turns out to be a fairy godmother and Cat's mom goes up to the International Space Station, forcing her to go live with her dad for a bit. The kidnapping of Cat's step-brother brings the sisters together as they both loved him so much.
As this is the same author of the Mother Daughter Book Club, the book has the same writing style. In this book, Cat does not have a good relationship with her step-sister, Olivia(don't worry, this is not Cinderella). Things get a little scary as a great aunt turns out to be a fairy godmother and Cat's mom goes up to the International Space Station, forcing her to go live with her dad for a bit. The kidnapping of Cat's step-brother brings the sisters together as they both loved him so much.
August 17, 2021
3.5/5 stars
Another book that I remember fondly from my preteen years, Once Upon A Toad was a fun reread, if a bit bizarre at times.
I definitely was able to relate to the characters and the plot more in middle school (which is the intended audience), and it wasn't nearly as good as Frederick's Mother-Daughter Book Club series, but it's still really sweet and fun! An enjoyable fractured fairytale with a modern spin, for sure.
March 10, 2020
12 year old Cat Starr is headed to Oregon to visit her dad and his family. She doesn't expect much since her step sister hates her. Yet, something unexpected happens when Cat's great aunt Aby comes for a visit. Excitement, adventure, and a bit of magic completes Cat's visit to Oregon. A delightful read.
August 18, 2018
My 14 yo daughter reads this book every summer, and this year she brought the audio book along from the public library for us to listen to on our family road trip. I loved experiencing one of her most beloved books along with her, and I thoroughly enjoyed this fractured fairytale!
March 1, 2019
This was a fun and original take on Charles Perrault's tale. I did enjoy the first half of the book more than the second half, which contained plot holes big enough to drive a truck through, and some loose ends I would have loved to see resolved. All in all though, a cute and fun read.
March 15, 2022
A fun fairytale retelling with stepsisters, a defective fairy godmother, an Elvis impersonator, and curses set in contemporary Portland, Oregon. Giggle-worthy, but with a message. Somebody ought to pick up the movie rights. It would be hilarious.
July 16, 2018
Cute fractured fairy tale - Sandy (my 10-year-0ld daughter) really enjoyed it so I read it to be able to discuss it with her
April 21, 2019
Was sort of confused in the first 7 chapters.. But overall I enjoyed this.
April 23, 2019
Once upon a toad was a pretty easy book to read. I remember loving it when I was younger, and even a couple years later I still enjoyed it.
May 29, 2019
This is a book tweens would like. It jumps around a little bit and can get a little confusing, but is overall enjoyable.
November 10, 2019
Amazing
November 11, 2019
connor? what a legend
Read
January 30, 2020I love it !
January 30, 2020
Fun and adventurous. I listened to it and really enjoyed it!
May 6, 2020
GREAT story for step-sisters who need to learn how to get along.
July 7, 2020
I read this for a summer reading challenge at work, so I didn't much of it when I started. Surprisingly, though, it was completely adorable and actually pretty great.
October 23, 2020
This book was so good!! I really enjoyed it. It had some surprising turns and I really liked the ending. This book was just really good.
June 25, 2023
I love Heather's writings so much and this one did not disappoint. Keeps you on your toes... And keeps you laughing too😅
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews