The Hidden Life of a Toad

by Doug Wechsler

In jaw-dropping photos, Doug Wechsler captures the life cycle of the American toad from egg to tadpole to adult. To get these images, Wechsler sat in a pond wearing waders, went out night after night in search of toads, and cut his own glass to make a home aquarium. The resulting photos reveal metamorphosis in extreme close-up as readers have never seen it before.

Budding naturalists will be transfixed by this unprecedented peek into the secrets of tadpole transformation. Demystifying

A book that encourages observation and conservation and may start some young biologists off on their own lifelong quests to understand animals -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

A fascinating look at toad development -- Booklist, starred review

Suitable for libraries needing to bolster their early nonfiction collections -- School Library Journal

A remarkable visual chronicle of an easily overlooked creature -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Chicago Public Library's 2017 Best of the Best Books selection

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Animals, Science, Nature, Childrens, Photography

48 pages, Hardcover

First published March 14, 2017

About the author

Doug Wechsler takes his inspiration from the jungles, swamps and seashores of the world as well as from his own backyard. By showing the wonders of nature and its humorous side he hopes to motivate his readers to deepen their interest in their natural surroundings. His current projects take him to local parks and Ecuador.

A wildlife biologist and photographer, Doug Wechsler was Director of VIREO (Visual Resources for Ornithology a part of The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. As part of his job running the most comprehensive collection of bird photographs anywhere, he traveled the world to photograph birds. He has participated in expeditions to Borneo, Ecuador, Cuba, Panama, Cameroon, Alaska, and the Philippines.

His most recent books include: Blowholes, Book Gills and Butt-breathers, The Cicadas Are Coming!, The Hidden Life of a Toad, Marvels in the Muck: Life in the Salt Marshes and Frog Heaven.

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is equal parts fascinating and disgusting. Fantastic.

[Maggi Rohde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wechsler has created a perfect nonfiction book for aspiring young biologists: poetic text, not too complicated, accompanying photos of the life cycle of a toad. Back matter includes information about preserving toad habitat and other next steps, additional resources (including the author’s own web site) and a picture glossary. My kids and I adored this book.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never actually realized everything involved in a tadpole becoming a toad/frog. So for me, this book was fascinating. Clearly the author/photographer spent many hours looking for and taking pictures of the American toad. It was also fun to read about the process of getting the photographs. The short text, divided chronologically, makes for a great read-a-loud, and the photographs are amazing. The book takes the reader from the first hatching to the next egg laying, including reproduction. The reproduction section is handled very professionally and factually. The information at the end includes additional facts about toads, saving toads, and getting the photos. I especially loved the photo of the toadlet next to a dime that demonstrates just how small it is. The book also includes websites and books that children can use to learn more about the topic.

[Alyx Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The photographs in this book as fascinating! A great choice for beginning readers with a love of nonfiction.

[Joann Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mentor text for teaching about photo essays and informational text writing.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastically researched, presented, and photographed subject. It’s engaging and accessible enough for a child (the intended audience), but I enjoyed it and learned quite a bit as an adult. The best of both worlds!

[Cosette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty amazing.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me look for articles about toads and other reptiles in Colorado because I never see any in my own garden. But I did find there are numerous species here and hiding out so that they are rarely seen, most often in riparian areas, the banks of rivers, streams, or other water. When I lived in Missouri, we often had toads and frogs in the garden, happy to see them because they ate so many insects!

I am glad to read this book that has made it onto lists for coming awards. I admire Doug Wechsler who, night after night, waded through wet to discover The Hidden Life of a Toad! With a special lens, he took photos beginning at Day One, when "strings of jelly twist over, under, around." He writes it looks "like a pile of spaghetti." He captures the photos of each step, from Day One to Day 47 when the toadlet emerges, "no bigger than a pea". It's time to move to shore! Then time passes until three years later, the female toad moves back to the water, called by a male sending a signal, "Come see me."
In enlarged photos, the journey fascinates, and Wechsler adds much more information at the back: a glossary, the difference between a frog and a toad, toad facts, saving toads, how he got the photos, and a source list! It is a comprehensive study, a wonderful mentor text for students who might share their own research of some animal that intrigues them.

[Megan Garrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copyright- 2017
Number of Pages-40
Book format-hardcover
Reading Level-N/A GR Level- N/A
Genre- Nonfiction
Lit. Requirement- Nonfiction Informational-1

The Hidden Life of a Toad starts of with an embryo and shows the life cycle of a toad then that toad's offspring. The detailed pictures are ones I have never seen before. I knew the basic life cycle with the tadpole and growing the legs and losing the tail and becoming a toad. However, I did not know before tadpoles become toads, they are embryos and they wait on these jellylike strings. The photographer captured every cycle in great detail and later he explains that he raised toads and would have to wait for hours for the perfect photo. I loved this book and it was spread out in days, each page had a different day to compare the advancements the toad made, and how quickly the tadpole grew. This would be a great book for a lesson on toads because of the day by day sequence. It was easy to read and understand and was an informational read.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE HIDDEN LIFE OF A TOAD by Doug Wechsler traces the life cycle of a toad in photographs.

Using detailed, close-up photos and easy-to-read text, this amazing informational picture book takes readers day by day through the life of a toad. The book concludes with a glossary, science information, ideas for photographers, and additional sources.

Librarians will find this book to be useful in the primary science curriculum. Ask students to compare the life cycle of the toad with other creatures. Encourage them to build their own science book using public domain, online photos. Or, take their own nature photographs.

To learn more about the author/illustrator, go to http://dougwechsler.com/.

Published on March 14, 2017 by Charlesbridge, an imprint of Random House. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

[Audrey Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hidden Life of a Toad by Doug Wechsler is a story about how an embryo eventually turns into a toad. This story provides days in which the toad grows (example: "Day 5: a tiny tadpole slides out, free of the jelly" (Wechsler 7)), which will help students to understand how long it takes for a toad to grow and transform. The detailed pictures and labels will be great for students to use to guide them through the process of a growing toad. I would read this book for a first grade science unit and have the students put the life cycle of a toad in order. We could even watch a video about the life of a toad to further understanding. I like this book and would put this in the informational section of my classroom library.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book about toads I have been searching for in order to pair it up with a realia display of the metamorphosis of a toad. Both go through the stages from embryo to mating and laying of eggs. The book details each stage of the process, including how many days between each stage. The full cycle is then repeated.
The simple, large text is direct and clinical. It will be perfect to use with emergent readers in a classroom. Wechsler's full color photography is stunning in its closeness and clarity asking for comparison to Nic Bishop's Frogs, though these are about two completely different critters. Perfect for the budding herpetologist!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 2019 Nutmeg Book Award Elementary Nominee. This book is a great new nonfiction choice for younger students (and maybe older ones as well!) We already have a lot of good animal books in our library collection, and I wasn’t sure what I would think about this one when it arrived. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the text, photographs, and research- I learned a lot of new facts that I’m excited to share! I also appreciate the author’s note about how he created this book. It’s an interesting story in its own right, and I think it will inspire students and make a nice connection with classroom science units.

[Jtimko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an (almost) day by day account of the growth cycle of a toad from day 1 to 1099 when the cycle begins all over again.
Doug Weschler has spent many a day in the ponds of Pennsylvania photographing and documenting the life cycle of a toad- from tadpole to toad. With stunning photographs and sparse text, the life cycle of a toad is explained in full. A glossary, notes, toad facts, books and websites at the back of the book make this a great addition to the elementary library. Highly recommended for grades 2 through 6.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is what a non-fiction book for a young reader should be like! The design and layout are excellent, putting the focus on the terrific close-up photographs. Simple but informative text provides just the sort of information kids want. The text flows naturally and is well suited to animal loving readers who often come to these books with some knowledge.

Back matter includes a glossary, toad facts, information on toad and toad habitat preservation and a section on how Wechsler shot the pictures and more.

[Rachel Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A day-by-day story about the life cycle of a toad with amazingly breathtaking photographs. I particularly love that this non-fiction book reads in a narrative format. The back of the book includes a glossary with images, the difference between a toad and a frog, toad facts, saving toads suggestions, more about the images, and book and website references. This would be a great book to use with K-5 studying life cycles, life in the pond, to prepare for a field trip outside, or even to know more about a class pet. Although it is a small format, it would be a great read-aloud.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Photos beautifully document the life cycle of a toad from day 1 to day 1099. The pictures are labeled to assist with identify the parts of the frog. Each stage from egg to tadpole to toadlet to toad is documented. At each stage the changes the toad is experiencing is discussed with questions added to stimulate thinking. This book includes a glossary and a few fact sheets such as the differences between toads and frogs. There is also a list of websites and books for additional study of toads. Includes a small map showing the range of the American toad.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

2018 Gryphon Award winner. https://ischool.illinois.edu/articles...

Wish I had a book like this when I was young (and lived in within the range of the American toad)!

Excellent photographs with simple, not in the least condescending, text. Includes an illustrated glossary, What's the difference between a frog and a toad?, Toad facts, Saving toads, Getting the photos, Books and Websites, and a map of the distribution of the American toad.

[Emilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uncover the secrets of metamorphosis. Watch as a toad begins as a tiny black dot and becomes a full grown toad. This informative non-fiction book is real photographs taken by Doug Wechsler himself. He talked about the process and how long it took him to capture these images. He spent hours to capture the perfect image. It does show the male and females reproducing but it’s done very tactfully. The text is simple and informative. I found this book very insightful and fun.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent photos and simple to read text tells the story of the life of a toad from egg to adult toad and then the adult toad lays eggs. Lots of interesting facts included with additional facts and information and a glossary at the end.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

You think you know toads? You do not know toads! Prepare to be amazed by eye-popping photos depicting the lifecycle of the animal from tiny egg to hopping toad. I also very much appreciated the author's info about protecting toads and conserving their habitats, as they, like most amphibians, are on the decline.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible photographs document the life cycle of the toad. The photos are so amazing and really help a child see how they go from a string of what looks like jelly to toads. Day by day photos are amazing. Great for educators or toad enthusiasts.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This day by day photography book about the evolution of a toad is visual magnificent. The author/photographer tracks the evolution of the toad with stunning clarity. Easy to follow this book could be read without the end glossaries. Early elementary.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wechler shows in close-up color photos the day-by-day development of a toad from egg to a 3-year-old female returning to her birth pond to mate. Six pages in the back explain he difference between a frog & a toad, additional facts, definitions, and how to save toads.
Informative for all.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, detailed, close-up photographs of toads at all stages of their lifestyle - fascinating! The text is straightforward and easy to understand, with some nice onomatopoeia that would make it good for reading out loud.

[Mrs. Melaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding close-up photos reveal the life cycle of the American toad. Bursting with interesting facts that are guaranteed to teach all readers (even nature-loving adults like me) something about toads that they didn't already know.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Animal and nature loving kids will be fascinated by this look at the life of a toad.

Great photos and tons of facts make it a good choice for reports too.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully done.

[Michelle Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was fascinating and the photos were awesome!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful treatment of an often maligned animal.