City Dog, Country Frog written by Mo Willems, illustrated by Jon J Muth

This is a story of a dog that moves to the country and befriends a frog. Through the seasons Frog and Dog learn from each other. Frog teaches the Dog country frog games, while Dog teaches the Frog city dog games. In the winter, Dog cannot find Frog, and so he waits for the whole season. In the spring, a chipmunk finds the Dog and asks what he is doing. The Dog takes Chipmunk as a new friend.

While this story does not have people in it, it does include aspects of cultural diversity. Frog and Dog are from two different places and lead different lives, yet they are friends. Their differences are embraced by one another and they take the opportunity to learn from each other.

In a first grade classroom, this story could be used as a metaphor for accepting those who are different from us, both in culture and in racial/ethnic background. The use of animals makes these large concepts more manageable and less threatening to young children, while at the same time providing an opportunity to explore and learn about the many different cultures of the otheer students in the classroom.

Since this book does not discuss cultural diversity in any explicit terms, it is important to remember that classroom discussions around this story must occur in order for it to be effective. The author does a wonderful job demonstrating through a metaphor the general concept of acceptance of others, but first graders should have the opportunity both to talk about their own experiences as well as the opportunity to learn about why accepting those who are different from us is important.

Children may question why Frog does not come in winter, since the author does not explain this. In this case, a teacher could explain hibernation, or that some animals go to warmer places during winter to escape the cold. Children may also question why Dog is not friends with other Dogs, or similarly why Frog is not friends with the other Frogs in the pond. The teacher could start a discussion about physical differences being of little importance when making friendships (although Dog and Frog are in fact different species, the metaphor would carry enough to support this type of discussion in a first grade classroom).

I would recommend this book for both the home and the classroom. It can be used as simply an enjoyable story or as a way to talk to young children about cultural diversity, acceptance, and anit-racism.