Warton and the Castaways

Warton and Morton are back for more danger, and this time Morton gets to come along on the adventure. One morning, discovering they have run out of honey, the two brothers venture out into the rain to collect more. On the way back they meet a hungry raccoon, and they persuade two eccentric and selfish toad sisters to give them refuge in their tree house. During the night the rain fells their tree, washing it down a river, and they find themselves moored in the middle of a swamp, besieged by the same raccoon and a flock of great herons. The story isn't quite as good as A Toad for Tuesday, but it is lighthearted, funny, and suspenseful enough to hold the attention of a child transitioning into chapter books. Just as in A Toad for Tuesday, the toads' escape has to do with extending kindness to an enemy, and a surprising character transformation is brought about through that kindness. This is not a must-read, but it's an enjoyable fantasy adventure, rooted in positive values of friendship, kindness, and courage. This book is unfortunately out of print, but is still available through public libraries and on the used book market.