Commander Toad and the Planet of the Grapes

Commander Toad #2

by Jane Yolen

"A funny space adventure that spoofs  Star Wars  while providing an easy-to-read story."  — Booklist

When Commander Toad finds a new planet that seems the ideal place for a picnic for his tired crew, he and Lieutenant Lily go down to look around first, only to be swallowed up by giant grapes. Is this the end for the brave crew of the Star Warts ? Or can Doc Peeper, the ship's medical officer, help them escape from the Planet of the Grapes?


Fans of  DK LEGO Star Wars,  Tom Angleberger's  Origami Yoda,  and silliness will toad-ally love Commander Toad!

Genres: Childrens, Science Fiction, Fiction, Picture Books, Humor, Fantasy, Kids

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The final one of the Commander Toad books we took on our trip was Commander Toad and the Planet of the Grapes which combines horror and humor through the use (and abuse) of grape puns.

One by one the crew of the Star Warts is devoured by giant grapes. It is up to the doctor and his sneezing assistant to rescue the crew and find a way to stop the grapes. The solution to the problem is one of those classic eureka! moments when one learns from a mistake or mishap.

On a side note, I liked the limited use of color in the illustrations in all the books but Planet of the Grapes especially. Green and purple are the two dominant colors in the illustrations but the colors are put to good use. They are colorful but not too garish.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and clever take-off on "Star Trek" and "Star Wars", filled with humor and word play. Great for beginning readers who like science fiction.

[Courtenay Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jane Yolen got her inspiration for these books from an article in a newspaper about a frog in a frog-jumping contest. The frog's name was "Star Warts", but she decided to change the frog to a toad since toads are known for giving warts. She includes a lot of puns in all the books, which there are seven altogether.
This is just one of many books in the Commander Toad series. It’s about Commander Toad and his crew (Mr. Hop, Lieutenant Lily, Jake Skyjumper, and Old Doc Pepper) having adventures through space in their ship the Star Warts. This particular adventure lands them on the planet of the grapes where Toad gets swallowed by a large grape. Lily and the rest of the crew must find a way to save him. But when the crew goes to help, the grapes swallow them too! Its not until Doc Pepper figures out the solution that they are free: the planet is allergic to them and needs allergy shots.
I like the Commander Toad series, especially all the play on words: Star Warts, Luke Skyjumper, Lieutenant Lily, etc. This isn't one of my favorites of the whole series but I did enjoy it. I was a little confused why the planet sprouted grapes as an allergic reaction, but its a book about frogs in space so I guess a lot of it shouldn't make sense. I think the students in my class would really enjoy this book because it is silly and has a fun adventure. I also really like the grape puns at the end of the book. Overall I would say this book is good, but I would recommend other books in the series more.

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Commander Toad and his crew aboard the Star Warts have found a new planet to explore. But when Lieutenant Lily starts sneezing and the Commander Toad gets swallow in a giant red bump, they may be facing more than they bargained for.

I recently remembered this series from when I was younger, and it seems like it’s not as popular as it once was. That’s a shame. While the story and characters are a bit simple, they are fun. Once we get the introductions out of the way, the story is interesting, and will definitely connect with young readers. Adults will love the spoofs on Star Wars and Star Trek and everyone will groan at the grape puns.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gosh, Yolen wrote everything. This is apparently part of a series of leveled readers. This episode is both a real SF story and a gentle spoof of Star Trek, with a nod to Star Wars, too. I especially liked that Lily tried to figure out what was going on, and to try to get help, before using her gun to rescue her commander. I'd love to read more in the series.

[Denalyn Rogers · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just..weird. I really didn’t want to finish it but I was hoping it would get better (it didn’t) Maybe it’s just not my style, but I didn’t find any educational value, and frankly I think kids would find it boring. I don’t think I’d have this one in my library

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Commander Toad books have been some of my kids' favorites since they were about six years old. We read these over and over (and over) for several years! Love them! They tickle our funny bone(s).

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This, for some reason, is the Commander Toad book that sticks in my mind the most. It's goofy and just fun.

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great pictures and a fun space adventure. Very punny!

[Greta Uhde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary but funny. Interesting story lines. Great puns!

[Lyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haha I liked this one a little more than the space pirates book

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interest Level: K-2
Grade Level: 3.1

This is a very silly book about a group of amphibious space adventurers who arrive on a new planet, only to be swallowed up by grapes! Plenty of puns and jokes about grapes ensue (they're the grapest!).

This would be a fun book to use to teach younger children about puns or how to use humor in their writing. It would also be a very clear example of fiction vs non-fiction to help them learn the difference.

[Naomi Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun & punny. I'd like to find more Commander Toad books. I'm also curious if the characters in 3-2-1 Penguins & the Madagascar penguins are somehow subconsciously inspired by these frogs.

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I borrowed this from one of the local libraries so I could read it out loud to a friend, as we both enjoy puns and the fact that Yolen understands the humour of young children.

[Friend of Pixie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Logan didn't get many of the "grape" jokes and I had to do a lot of explaining. He still enjoyed the fact that it was a Commander Toad book, but I don't think he'd give it a higher rating than "It was ok."

[Heathert · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Commander Toad and his crew get in trouble, it is up to Doc Peeper to save the day. This humorous star trek mock up (star warts) takes place on a grape themed planate that does not seem to like the amphibious adventurers.

[Bookwyrmgyrl]

We loved these easy readers - they were funny and visually appealing and interesting.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little weird, but my niece liked it.

[Brandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

From a 6 year old:
I gave this book 4 stars because I like it. It was an exciting adventure. Commander Toad was my favorite character. I would like to read another commander toad book some day.

[Mindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book - on par for 2nd graders.

[Rose Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a humorous book and children will enjoy the adventure and finding out how they find a solution to their problem. I like how they call it "Star Warts."

[Lorraine Der]

Library Catalog

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a pun-filled book with adorable illustrations. I loved it.