"A funny space adventure that spoofs Star Wars while providing an easy-to-read story." — Booklist
The Star Warts is on a dangerous mission to an intergalactic spy convention, to find Agent 007½. Not only is he Space Fleet's greatest spy and a master of disguise, but he is also Commander Toad's cousin, Tip Toad. It's essential that no other spy see Agent 007½ without his disguise. Will Commander Toad be able to recognize his cousin in time?.
Fans of DK LEGO Star Wars, Tom Angleberger's Origami Yoda, and silliness will toad-ally love Commander Toad!
Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.
Over the Labor Day holiday we checked out three Commander Toad books from our local library for the trip down to South Pasadena. Commander Toad and the Intergalactic Spy is one of that set.
The Space Toad is sent on its most dangerous mission, the rescue of super spy Tip Toad, a master of disguise who happens to be Commander Toad's cousin. It is up to Commander Toad to identify his cousin as he's sure to be in disguise. The crew can't afford to bring on board an enemy spy!
After a few hiccups in their search, Commander Toad comes up with a brilliant test to put all the spies through. Only his cousin will be able to pass it. Does he find the right spy?
Yolen, Jane. Commander Toad and the Intergalactic Spy. New York: Penguin Putman, 1997 Recommended for First Graders Genre: Science Fiction
This story is about Commander Toad and his crew who go on missions to discover planets and explore galaxies in their green space ship called Star Warts. One day they are commanded by Star Fleet to go on a dangerous mission to pick up an intergalactic spy who goes by the name of Agent 007 ½. But this is no ordinary spy. He is space Fleet’s greatest spy, and a master of disguise. Commander Toad is excited. Agent 007 ½ is his cousin, and he is confident that he will recognize his cousin even if he is wearing a disguise.
The crew heads to Eden, a planet full of red, orange, yellow and pink flowers. Spies from all over the galaxy are on Eden to learn secrets from each other. Commander Toad and his crew must be careful not to pick up the wrong spy to bring on board the ship. That would be dangerous.
When Star Warts lands on Eden, a monster approaches the crew. Lieutenant Lily aims her gun at the monster, but it calls out, “Hi Cousin Hip.” Commander Toad yells, “Lily, do not shoot. That monster is my cousin.” Suddenly three similar monsters approach the crew, all claiming to be Cousin Hip. Lieutenant Lily is confused. Monsters keep coming towards the crew, all denouncing the others and claiming to be the real Cousin Hip. Poor Commander Toad is toadally overwhelmed, while the hoppy little toads lie back in the flowers sipping Croak-a-Cola.
Who is the real Agent 007 ½? Will Commander Toad and his crew solve this dilemma? Will Commander Toad recognize his own cousin? You will have to read the book to find out.
This is a fun and totally amusing book. Children will enjoy the play on words. The toads trick the crew, and kids will be delighted to help to solve the mystery of who the real Agent 007 ½ is. The plot is simple, and the action moves quickly. A very easy read
Commander Toad and the crew of the Space Warts have been sent to a planet full of spies to retrieve Agent 007 1/2. Their advantage is that this spy is Commander Toad’s cousin. The disadvantage is that he is also a master of disguise. Sure enough, soon after landing they meet several spies who could all be the agent. Can they figure out which one he is?
This is another fun adventures with Commander Toad and his crew. The book is very well done with a plot even the target early readers should be able to follow as they logically solve the problem at hand. Throw in the best puns in the series to date and you have a real winner.
Jane Yolen’s Commander Toad series continues with Commander Toad and the Intergalactic Spy. Adults will love the word play evident throughout the book - most of which will go over the heads of the intended audience of beginning readers. There are subtle nods to Star Wars and other space-themed movies/television shows. The book is written with just a few words on each line - making it easier for beginning readers Bruce Degen created a variety of blackline and full color illustrations for the book. They compliment the text well. Commander Toad and the Intergalactic Spy would be a good addition to the early reader section of a K-12 Christian school library. I received a complimentary copy of Commander Toad and the Intergalactic Spy. This is my honest review.
I remember Commander Toad fondly, especially the art, which marries the sentimental tranquility of Frog and Toad are Friends with the zaniness of Looney Tunes. And I’ve discovered that it holds up well for a new generation of young, nerdy reader. My daughter appreciates the puns even more than I did at her age.
Unfortunately, this is one of only two Commander Toad books remaining in circulation in my local library.
Commander Toad and the Intergalactic Spy has just the right combination of vocabulary and low word count to challenge young readers without frustrating them. It has humor and wonderful character design.
It should be a cult classic of beginner reader books.
P has really enjoyed these books about a Toad that are a spoof on Star Wars and Star Trek! They are slightly above his reading level but he likes to trade off sentences with me or his dad. They are the first books he asks to read during our reading practice and he asked if there were more as soon as we finished the ones we had - so of course I bought the rest and now he's excited to finish reading the series!
Commander Toad, Space Travel, Spies....what's not to love? We've also got monsters, trickery, and a ready-to-defend Lieutenant. Also, I like the illustrations and I like that the illustrations alternate between color and not color.
The Commander Toad books have been some of my kids' favorites since they were about six years old. We read these over and over (and over) for several years! Love them! They tickle our funny bone(s).
A very cute book that has a little bit of Star Wars, Star Trek, and James Bond 007. It is a cute story about a Commander Toad and his spy cousin 007-1/2 that they have to go retrieve from the planet of spies. 007-1/2 is disguised and they have to figure out which one is him when all these disguised spies show up claiming to be him. It is very funny how they figure out which one is the "true" 007-1/2.
This Commander Toad book was a lot of fun for my niece in particular. She had a great time trying to figure out how to solve the mystery/puzzle in this book. Both of the kids were pleased with Commander Toad's resourcefulness in light of so many twists and turns. Good story, and a fun little early reader sci-fi, spy mystery tale.