''Toad Rage'' is a children's novel by Australian author Morris Gleitzman. It was first published in Australia in 1999 by

Puffin Books Puffin Books is a longstanding children's imprint of the British publishers Penguin Books. Since the 1960s, it has been among the largest publishers of children's books in the UK and much of the English-speaking world. The imprint now belongs to ...

Plot summary

Limpy, a young cane toad who narrowly escapes from becoming

roadkill Roadkill is a wild animal that has been killed by collision with motor vehicles. Wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) have increasingly been the topic of academic research to understand the causes, and how they can be mitigated. History Essenti ...

, enters the gates of the Olympic Games and finds a sweet girl who once again saves him from being squashed. Limpy tries and fails to have cane toads become the Sydney Olympic mascots. Limpy finally finds a way to protect his family from the terror of the highway. Soon, Limpy's plan succeeds, and cane toads everywhere (or almost everywhere) are safe again.

Sequels

This book was followed by four other books: '' Toad Away'', '' Toad Heaven'', '' Toad Surprise'', and '' Toad Delight''.

Reception

Reviews for ''Toad Rage'' were positive, with ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of ...

'' describing the book as "saucy fun from start to finish". The ''School Library Journal'' review notes the adventurous story and the colourful use of Australian slang (with a glossary in the back) as being key to a "hugely funny read". A review of the audiobook by SLJ recommends it for boys and reluctant readers due to the "gross-out" humour. The ''Washington Post'' review gives some context of how

cane toads in Australia The cane toad in Australia is regarded as an exemplary case of an invasive species. Australia's relative isolation prior to History of Australia (1788–1850), European colonisation and the Industrial Revolution, both of which dramatically in ...

are viewed and notes some practices might make readers squeamish but otherwise recommends the book. A reviewer for Kirkus Reviews described ''Toad Rage'' as "both solid entertainment and a barbed commentary on the importance of looks". A reviewer for Booklist recommends it for grades 3-6 and says it will give readers "plenty of laughs".

Plot summary

Sequels

Reception

References

Further reading