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Toad Rage

1999 children's novel by Morris Gleitzman

2 min
estimated reading 5
complete sections 8.25
algorithmic grade estimate

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Words
271
Native text
2107 characters
Dictionary match
73%
Revision
1359551452 · 2026-06-15T22:28:40Z
Key vocabulary

Words to check before reading

review7 uses in this article Australian3 uses in this article Untitled3 uses in this article readers3 uses in this article Limpy3 uses in this article everywhere2 uses in this article reviewer2 uses in this article Fiction2 uses in this article Journal2 uses in this article Olympic2 uses in this article Morris2 uses in this article again2 uses in this article being2 uses in this article Books2 uses in this article Focus2 uses in this article feature-length1 uses in this article entertainment1 uses in this article adventurous1 uses in this article Irreverence1 uses in this article commentary1 uses in this article

Overview

Toad Rage is a children's novel by Australian author Morris Gleitzman. It was first published in Australia in 1999 by Puffin Books. Laika Studios was planning to make a CGI feature-length or short film based on the book by Morris Gleitzman.

Plot summary

Limpy, a young cane toad who narrowly escapes from becoming roadkill, 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 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 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".

Further reading

* * * * *Sheahan-Bright, Robyn (2000) "Irreverence for Sacred Cows" Australian Book Review () (), no. 218 February–March, 2000 p. 53-54. *Harrison, Peta (2000) "Untitled Review" Fiction Focus : New Titles for Teenagers (), vol. 14 no. 2, 2000 p. 29 *Zahnleiter, Joan (2000) "Untitled Review" Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia () (), vol. 44 no. 2 May 2000 p. 17 *Read, Maggie (2001) "Untitled Review" Fiction Focus : New Titles for Teenagers (), vol. 15 no. 3, 2001 p. 49-50

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