Local author Iris Gray Dowling of Cochranville has combined her background as a teacher with her love of nature to write a new picture book for children titled "Toads: Friends You Never Thought You Had."
The book's illustrations, which explain the life cycle of the toad and detail the differences between frogs and toads, were drawn or photographed by Dowling, along with other family members and friends who live in the area.
"The two children in the story start out with comparing a frog and a toad because one of the boys wants to take (the animal) he thinks is a frog to a frog race and the other says, 'It's not a frog; it's a toad,'" explained Dowling. "I consider (the book suitable) for kindergarten through elementary school students. It's definitely suited for older people to talk with their children about."
According to Dowling, frogs have longer legs than toads and smooth or slimy skin. Toads are generally brown and have short legs and bumpy skin. "Frogs are mostly commonly found around water. If you don't have water, you are seeing a toad," Dowling noted. "(In the book), I drew pictures of the frog and toad and put facts on the page so people could see the difference."
The book also explains the life cycle of toads, from eggs to tadpoles to the adult toad. "Toads are a true friend of the gardener, and more appreciation needs to be shown to them for the job they do in getting rid of pests," Dowling noted.
She said that the book took at least a year to write. "Believe it or not, this is version No. 23. My grandson, Robert, who is 24 years old, helped me with the story. I read it to him and he listened again (and again) after changes," Dowling said. "I gave him credit as being my writing assistant. He also helped me with the computer."
Dowling's latest book is one of several she has written about nature. "I am interested in nature and have always been," Dowling said. "In 2012, I wrote 'Nature Stories With a Twist.' I have done a book on butterflies and the praying mantis."
Dowling shared that part of her reason to write about nature is to encourage children and youths to appreciate the world around them. "I want to motivate people to get out and look and see what's out there," she said. "In this day and age, as a former teacher, I believe kids are doing too much in the house and not getting outside. They need to see nature more. That is one of my main aims. "
Dowling was born in Upper Oxford, went to an Upper Oxford one-room school and graduated from Oxford High School and West Chester University, earning a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education. She was a teacher for more than 25 years in Chester County elementary schools and has done homeschool evaluations for the Pennsylvania Accreditation Agency for 30 years.
She has worked on the Historical Commissions of Upper Oxford and Oxford Area Historical Association (OAHA). "I wrote a book titled 'History of Churches in the Oxford Area' for OAHA," she noted. "I wrote several other books about happenings in sections of Chester County where I have lived. My total years in Chester County are well over 65-plus years."
For more information about the new book and book sales, readers may email dowlingiris013@gmail.com.
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