Toad Rage (Cascades) - Hardcover

Gleitzman, Morris

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007154372 ISBN 13: 9780007154371

Publisher: Collins Educational, 2003

Synopsis

Limpy's family is in danger of being squashed by the cars people drive on the road. Knowing this, the young toad decides he has to change humans' opinions of toads, as it would be the only way to save them. His plan is to save their world and his journey takes him far and wide.

About this title

Review:

"Uncle Bart," said Limpy, "Why do humans hate us?"

Uncle Bart looked down at Limpy, and smiled fondly.

"Stack me, Limpy," he chuckled, "you are an idiot."

Limpy, a slighty squashed cane toad, is struggling to get to grips with the idea that humans really hate him and his kind, and refuses to bow down to the popular cane toad "that's life" philosophy that has led to the severe flattening of far too many of his uncles. So, he decides to take things into his own hands and embarks on a journey across Australia in the hope that he can change the minds of the whole human race.

Morris Gleitzman's Toad Rage is a superbly wry, dry and outrageously funny take on the coming-of-age journey. As Limpy does battle with the dusty outback tracks and the danger-ridden streets of the Big City the reader is swept along with his quest for absolute understanding, living and breathing every moment of the always insightful and occasionally terrifying journey into the unknown.

Limpy, with his squished limbs and fine collection of very flat uncles, is a sweet and determined youngster whose inquisitive nature and total belief is typically indicative of a Gleitzman hero. Indeed, Gleitzman pulls off this funny, sensitive and totally absorbing story with the heart-warming (and occasionally heart-rending) aplomb that will be familiar to any reader who has read Two Weeks with The Queenor his stunning Rowena Batts trilogy. And as usual, he doesn't offer any nice, neat answers but instead allows his characters, and the reader, to come to their own conclusions about whether or not the battle is worth the effort.

Gleitzman is simply a superb author who deserves to be read and enjoyed, and with Toad Rage he pulls off another quirky winner that children will love, and adults will surely be tempted by.--Age 9 and over.

Review:

"This is an incredibly funny book." (Amazon)

"Limpy the Australian cane toad embarks on a quest to find out why humans hate his kind and what he can do to change their minds. His journey takes him to the Olympics, where, after many mishaps, he discovers a solution. Bolinda will continue to impress American listeners with this title. Morris Gleitzman is an enthusiastic storyteller whose voice radiates a kindness that will attract young listeners. He gives each animal – from slug to mosquito to cane toad – real and distinct personalities. In addition, the sound effects at the end of each tape or disc make this title pure fun." (AudioFile Magazine)

About this edition

• Publisher: Collins Educational
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0007154372
• ISBN 13: 9780007154371
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 160