The Book of the Toad: A Natural and Magical History of Toad-Human Relations

by Robert M. DeGraaff

This comprehensive and entertaining compendium of toad lore surveys the history of toads as biological entity, literary and artistic subject, mythological subject, and threatened species. Here is a uniquely insightful and engaging look at how humans through the ages have responded to and been influenced by their amphibian neighbors.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Folklore

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

Reviews

[Timothy Leong · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was way more fun of a book than I expected it to be 🐸🐸🐸

[Trunatrschild · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as thorough as "Toads and Toadstools" By Adrian Morgan, I'd definitely say read that one first. This focuses more on human poetry and toads and more of natural history of the toad. "Toads and Toadstools" discusses the relationship of humans and toads in many cultures and eras, this is just vague, mostly England and the US I suppose. I enjoyed the book, but it left me 'wanting' and Toads and Toadstools was more of a book to be re-read, this one.... well, if I need a poem of a toad, this is the book to refer to!
While Adrian Morgan TRIED licking a toad, this book just says that it's toxic and toad venom was used as a poison, though which toad was used, was never mentioned.

[Nightshade · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were times that I cried reading this book, and times that I laughed. I adore toads and frogs and all sorts of weird and creepy critters that others might not quite like, and I thought this book did toads good justice. This book focuses on literature, poetry and art of toads and is a lovely romp through the garden!

Any comments of this book being a poor imitation of "Toads and Toadstools" by Adrian Morgan, can be dismissed as this was published before Morgan's book, and was in fact referenced by Morgan. For toad lovers, this book is must!

[Kirk Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent. If you were to limit yourself to one book on frogs and/or toads, this would be the one to acquire. Written by a professor of Victorian literature, it is calmly written and impeccable and full of surprising works and art from across the centuries. Even the sections on biology are elegant, and answered some questions my textbook on frogs/toads could not. The bibliography is quite extensive, the appendices are treasures. This book is the one.

[Matthew Goetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most thoroughly entertaining and compelling book about toads I’ve ever read

[Akunne Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

practical wisdom