I’ll never forget the day I stumbled across City Dog, Country Frog while sitting on the floor of a Barnes & Noble, flipping through the pages and trying not to cry. This book was so different from Mo Willems’ typical lighthearted fare, and paired with Jon J. Muth’s stunning watercolors, it absolutely floored me.
The story is deceptively simple: a city dog meets a country frog, and together, they spend each season teaching one another something new. As the seasons progress, though, things change—just as they do in life. Without explicitly saying it, Willems weaves in the idea of loss. What happened to the frog? Is he gone forever, or just hibernating? The book leaves it open-ended, which makes it perfect for sparking conversations about the inevitable cycles of life.
This is one of those rare children’s books that invites a deeper, emotional response from adults, too. As I read it, I couldn’t help but think about how friendships evolve and how we carry those we’ve lost in our hearts, long after they’re gone. The themes of friendship, memory, and loss are handled with a delicacy that resonates with readers of all ages.
Jon J. Muth’s illustrations give the story so much weight. His soft, watercolor style enhances the emotional undertones of each scene. From the bright greens of summer to the somber grays of winter, Muth’s art mirrors the changes in the characters’ relationship. I can still picture City Dog standing alone in the snow, remembering his friend with that poignant, bittersweet feeling that only great books can evoke.
One of the things I love most about City Dog, Country Frog is how it presents the idea that friends can be very different from one another—city or country, dog or frog—and that those differences enrich our lives. It’s a beautiful portrayal of how connections can be forged across boundaries, and how, even after loss, the memories of those friendships stay with us, shaping who we are.
Reading this story with children opens the door for some deep, meaningful conversations, but it also offers a sense of comfort. It shows that while we may lose people (or frogs), the time we spent with them leaves an imprint, and life does continue, with room for new friendships and new seasons.
Whether you’re reading it to a toddler or revisiting it as an adult, City Dog, Country Frog is a timeless, emotional tale that will stay with you long after you’ve closed the book. It’s a masterful collaboration between Willems and Muth—an absolute must-read for anyone who appreciates stories about the beauty and impermanence of friendship.
Questions to ask while reading:
- How do you think City Dog feels when he meets Country Frog?
- How does the story make you feel about friendship?
- What do you think City Dog learns from Country Frog?
- What do you think happens to Country Frog?
More books by Mo Willems:
Elephant and Piggie