Lucinda Builds a Harp
by Becky Benishek
Lucinda wanted to play the harp. But she was a tiny toad and the harp was for people.
She tried with all her fingers.
She tried with all her toes.
She even tried with her tongue!
It was no use.
“I’m just not the right size,” Lucinda said sadly.
“All you need is a toad-sized harp,” said wise old Timothy Toad.
“Maybe I can build one!” said Lucinda.
Lucinda measured and hammered, sanded and sawed.
The other toads were curious.
“Why do you want to play the harp?” they asked. “Aren’t the sounds we make good enough?”
“Of course they are!” said Lucinda. “But it’s fun to discover other sounds, too.”
The other toads thought about it. They began building their own instruments. And Timothy found a music teacher who taught everyone how to play.
Soon Lucinda had her toad-sized harp — and an entire toad orchestra to play with her!
Illustration source: Me + a Canva background.
Author Becky Benishek 
I am toad-ally down for a musical toad story! So imaginative!
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I sure appreciate that! (And the toad-ally.) Thanks for reading it. 😀
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I love how she inspired the other toads to try new things, but they all still enjoyed their usual sounds as well.
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Thank you for reading it! I am glad that came across. 😀
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Cute! I love the image of all the toads building their own instruments. Delightful story!
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Thank you so much!
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Awesome, thanks so much for sharing this inspiring story with us for spring fling Kidlit, I couldn’t see the animation in the gif, can you share what the animation was?
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Hello, and thank you! And: Initially I replied that I couldn’t get it to work for me now either. Well, I managed to get back into the software and render up a similar version, and this one seems to be “sticking.” Though it only might run at first load or refresh of the page. Arrgh.
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What a cute story! Why not have a toad orchestra and add to the chorus of song they already create! Good luck!
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Thank you so very much!
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Hi Becky! Awww! I love that Lucinda was accepting and inspiring. I would love to have this toady friend! And I also love your illustrator for your book! Alicia illustrated my first book! She is fabulous!!!!
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Thanks for reading Lucinda! And that is so cool about Alicia. Which book was that?
ETA: Just found it! Flamingo Hugs Aren’t for Everyone looks so awesome.
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Lucinda is my kind of MC–she’s a maker, and she’s into music. My favorite line: “Lucinda measured and hammered, sanded and sawed.” I love the image of a toad-sized orchestra. Charming!
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Thank you so very much!!
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