Does having willpower just mean trying not to do something, or does it mean actually not doing it? Moreover, does not doing something that you really want to do always require having willpower, or just sometimes? These kinds of questions inspire a philosophical discussion on the nature of willpower. He defines willpower as “trying hard not to do something that you really want to do.” In doing so, Frog raises an interesting philosophical issue.

They want to stop eating the cookies before they become ill, but the cookies taste so good that they just can’t seem to stop eating them.įrog realizes that the problem is that they need willpower to stop eating the cookies. So which do you want to do, eat the pie, or not eat the pie? The problem is that it seems to us in these moments that we want both! In the story “Cookies” by Arnold Lobel, Frog and Toad are met with a similar dilemma. Have you ever told a friend to take the last bit of dessert with them away from you? Or even better, have you ever told yourself you had better just polish off that last piece of pie so that it’s gone and out of the way? Perhaps both were attempts at doing the same thing: undermining your own lack of willpower. Stop-animation film of the story Guidelines for Philosophical Discussion Read aloud video by Karen, Melissa and Mary But can they muster up the willpower they need to stop eating cookies before they become sick? In order to have cookies for later, and to avoid some serious belly aches, Frog and Toad need to stop eating cookies. The classic Frog and Toad stories by Arnold Lobel have won numerous awards and honors, including a Newbery Honor, a Caldecott Honor, ALA Notable Children's Book, Fanfare Honor List (īest Children's Book, and Library of Congress Children's Book.Questions for Philosophical Discussion » Summary Frog and Toad really want to eat cookies.

Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play of Level Two books are proven to help kids take their next steps toward reading success. Is a Level Two I Can Read book, geared for kids who read on their own but still need a little help. And when both Frog and Toad are scared, they are brave together.Ĭalled this story collection from Arnold Lobel a masterpiece of child-styled humor and sensitivity. When Toad bakes cookies, Frog helps him eat them. When Toad admires the flowers in Frog's garden, Frog gives him seeds to grow a garden of his own. The beloved classic about friendship-a Newbery Honor Bookįrog and Toad are best friends-they do everything together.

Book toad and frog