Everyone knows what a tadpole looks like, but did you know that just nine days before they reach that stage, toad embryos live in “strings of jelly” resembling spaghetti? This beautifully photographed account follows the life cycle of toads, starting with eggs, moving through the tadpole stage to tiny toadlets, and ending three years later with a mature female toad ready to mate and start the life cycle over again. Close-up photographs are labeled with the toads’ ages and accompanied by clear, simple text that will be accessible to young children. The book is equipped with a glossary, additional information about toads, and a note about how the author managed to snag such revealing photographs. (Ages 4-8)