The Disgusting Critters early reader series' newest offering presents the toad in all its grossness and glory. Using a cartoon framework, Gravel rattles off fast facts accompanied by wisecracking amphibians, giving spreads the feel of a gag strip. After first explaining the basic difference between frogs and toads, Gravel introduces a few of the stranger species of the latter, such as the Venezuela pebble toad and spiky-lipped Emei mustache toad ("Hey ladies!"), before focusing on the Bufo bufo common toad. Young readers will squeal and squirm as they see a toad lounging in a toilet (toads must remain moist), consuming its sloughed skin ("EWWW!"), and emitting a terrible tasting d sometimes deadly xin to ward off predators. On a more serious note, Gravel explains how healthy toads reflect a healthy environment, but their populations are declining due to pollution, pesticide use, global warming, and habitat loss. 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.