She's good for the environment... and she's disgusting!

Distinctive trait: Warts
Food preference: Bugs and worms
Special talent: Eating her own skin

Disgusting? Yes, but fun, too!

The Toad is the next installment of the Disgusting Critter series. Hilarious illustrated non-fiction about toads perfect for beginning readers. Although silly and off-the-wall, The Toad contains factual information that will both amuse and teach at the same time.

ELISE GRAVEL a écrit et illustré une trentaine d’albums jeunesse. L’auteure use d’un humour mordant pour exprimer ses vues et éveiller le sens critique de ses jeunes lecteurs. En 2022, Elise a remporté le prix Vicky Metclaf, qui souligne le travail d’un auteur ou d’une auteure jeunesse. Elle a également reçu le prix du Gouverneur général en 2012 dans la catégorie illustrations pour son livre La clé à molette, de même que le prix Droits et Libertés et des droits de la jeunesse.

ELISE GRAVEL has won a Governor General's Award for illustration, the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People, the Rights and Freedoms Award from the Quebec Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse, two Applied Arts Awards and a Grafika Award. She also was short-listed for Mr. Christie's Book Award. She has written and illustrated over 30 books for children in both French and English including Not Me (Pas moi), Everybody! (Tout le monde! and It's My Body! (C'est mon corps!). Elise lives in Montreal, Quebec.

Elise Gravel's profile page

• Short-listed, Information Book Award

“Having surveyed worms, spiders, flies, and head lice, Gravel continues her Disgusting Critters series with a quick hop through toad fact and fancy .... A light dose of natural history, with occasional "EWWW!" for flavor.” - Kirkus Reviews
“Gravel uses her obvious passion for seemingly unlovable creatures to excite the curiosity of young readers .... What sets this book apart from other early readers is the engaging humor. Gravel’s cartoonish illustrations will keep children involved with the material and the important environmental message.” - School Library Journal
“One of the highlights of the book is the toad eating her skin with a bottle of ketchup and a giant “Ewww!” speech bubble. I have a five-year-old in my house who, after reading this book, went around quoting this page for the rest of the day.” - CM Magazine
“Using a cartoon framework, Gravel rattles off fast facts accompanied by wisecracking amphibians, giving spreads the feel of a gag strip .... Young readers will squeal and squirm .... Kids will readily respond to Gravel’s hilarious illustrations, simple sentences, and dynamic fonts, as well as her call to help toads by keeping the planet clean.” - Booklist