The Manitoba Library Association Recommends "Miss Mousie"

From CM Magazine, Volume XIX, Number 5, published October 5, 2012

... Miss Mousie’s Blind Date is an adorable story of mouse love, with a quirky, dramatic main character that children will find funny. Miss Mousie is clumsy and insecure, but she has a big heart and an even bigger personality. The sentence structure is wonderful with smooth rhymes to be found within the sentences as well as at the end. The story rolls off the tongue, and is not too complex, or too long, to engage a child from start to finish.

      Berman’s illustrations are adorable, in a classic muted colour scheme style reminiscent of Frog and Toad. There is a lot to look at in each image, and the illustrations help add visual support to the story being told. There are some longer blocks of text, and the illustrations help give focus to these pages.

      I believe children will appreciate the whole package this story offers. Matt LaBatt may never get his comeuppance, but that is realistic, and our sense of justice is satisfied with the ultimate love connection. The moral may not be as well articulated as it is in many children's stories, but at least it inspires discussion.

Recommended.

Read the full review by Amber Allen HERE

You're Invited to a BOOK LAUNCH!

Tundra Books invites you to celebrate the launch of Miss Mousie's Blind Date, the second book from the award-winning author/illustrator team, Tim Beiser and Rachel Berman.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

2:00 to 4:00 pm

Ben McNally Books

366 Bay Street, Toronto

(416) 361-0032

Please RSVP to rsvpcanada@randomhouse.com

ALL ARE WELCOME -- ESPECIALLY CHILDREN!

Miss Mousie’s Blind Date will receive a STARRED review in the October 1st issue of Kirkus!!

MISS MOUSIE'S BLIND DATE [STARRED REVIEW!]
Author: Beiser, Tim
Illustrator: Berman, Rachel
Review Issue Date: October 1, 2012
Online Publish Date: September 15, 2012

Spring fever strikes even the rodents. And who knows where the heart leads?

"Spring is such a funny thing—it wakes up all the plants / And makes our furry woodland friends go cuckoo for romance." Indeed. One day, when Miss Mousie is shopping at the mole's deli, her heart stops at the sight of rakish Matt LaBatt (the water rat), who looks suave (and très Français) in striped shirt and kerchief. She can barely speak...or squeak. "Her little legs went weak." When she drops her hankie to catch his attention, Matt calls her fat, which brings tears to her eyes and sends her to bed for a day. What brings her out of sadness is an anonymous invitation to dinner; of course she knows just who it is! She dresses to the nines, and all the animals applaud her as she walks excitedly to her date. But the would-be suitor is not Matt the water rat; it's the kind mole who owns the deli. He tries all manner of slick techniques to woo her, and they fall comically flat. But in the end, he pledges to be himself if she will do the same. Her reply? "Oui-oui." Beiser's sprightly text has warmth, heart and a valuable lesson. Berman's pictures, in watercolor and gouache on rag, suggest Beatrix Potter, ably matching the crisp elegance of the story. Wonderful. 

(Picture book. 5-8)

BOOK REVIEW

Canadian Picture Books
from Canadian Literature: a Quarterly of Criticism and Review
Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog. Tundra Books
Reviewed by Judith Saltman

Tim Beiser (Author) and Rachel Berman (Illustrator)

Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog is a paperback issue of a 2008 publication. Beiser’s comic verse in rhyming couplets and catchy rhythm begs to be read aloud in this classic anthropomorphized animal fable of a hungry frog’s journey through his animal friends’ culinary tastes and talents, with the final return home and realization that his taste for his bog bugs is just right. Usually slightly nonsensical stories are matched by cartoon art. Berman’s fine draughtsmanship, however, is a comic realism blended with fine realist imagery and sets the tale in a British fantasy world of Edwardian clothing, class, and behaviour. The style recalls early twentieth-century classic children’s books with finely realized Beatrix Potteresque detail and echoes of the shadowy fields and woods of Arthur Rackham.

From http://canlit.ca/reviews/canadian_picture_books , accessed  24 Apr. 2012.

Miss Mousie's Blind Date is coming soon

Tundra Books has scheduled Tim Beiser's next book, Miss Mousie's Blind Date, for release this fall on October 9, 2012.

It's the tale of Miss Mousie, a shy and sensitive creature, who suffers a blow to her self-esteem when Matt LaBatt the water rat has the nerve to call her fat! While pining at home, she receives a mysterious invitation in the mail -- some unnamed gentleman has invited her out on a date. But who is it? Dare she go? Will he laugh at the way she looks? In a fit of inspiration, Miss Mousie hatches a clever plan.

Bradley McGogg illustrator Rachel Berman has once again brought Tim's fantasy woodland creatures to vibrant life in charming watercolors certain to bring laughter and even a few tears to children and their parents.

Miss Mousie's Blind Date can be pre-ordered right now on Amazon.com.

Bradley McGogg on "The Marilyn Denis Show"

Heather Feldstein, founder of WordsByMom.com - a wonderful website showcasing children's books -- recently visited "The Marilyn Denis Show" on Toronto's CTV, for a discussion focusing on "The Best Children's Books You've Never Heard Of." Heather told Marilyn about a variety of wonderful books on a variety of themes -- friendship & relationships, individuality & being different, and imagination & creativity. For information about a wide range of children's books, visit www.WordsByMom.com

(Video description courtesy of YouTube.)

Book Review: Words By Mom

Here's a wonderful review of Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog from WordsByMom.com :

I love, love, love this book and so do my kids! A rhyming picture book that’s written so beautifully, that it appeals to everyone. My kids love the rhymes and I love the rich vocabulary of the text. The story is about a frog named Bradley, who is out of food and quite hungry. He goes around to different neighbours, asking for food. They are all very generous, but the other animals don’t exactly have the same pallet as a frog.

Bradley quickly learns that everyone’s tastes are different. This story teaches kids to appreciate others’ personal tastes and opinions, and that not everyone likes the same thing. I recommend this book to everyone! The message is subtle and you can generate so much discussion from this book. This is truly a picture book like no other. It reads like a classic and looks like a classic. In my opinion, this book certainly has the makings of a true classic! A must read book to treasure!

Book Review: The Victoria Times Colonist

A well-travelled mouse 
Other notable picture books released this fall 
 By Patricia Coppard, Victoria Times Colonist
December 10, 2011 3:08 AM

 Back in paperback:

 Bradley McGogg The Very Fine Frog
 By Tim Beiser, illustrated by Rachel Berman
 Tundra Books, $9.99

 This lovely tale, whose delightful watercolour illustrations by Victoria's Berman made the shortlist for the 2009 Governor General's awards, is back in paperback, a veritable word feast with superb rhyme. And it's about a picky eater - who can't relate to that?

 © Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
 Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/well+travelled+mouse/5841824/story.html#ixzz1g9AaUVDK

New books are on the way!

For those of you wondering what's next for children's book author Tim Beiser, here's the latest news:

The paperback version of Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog will be released by Tundra Books on August 9, 2011. You can pre-order a copy right now at Amazon.ca by following this link: BRADLEY IN PAPERBACK

Tundra has scheduled Tim's next book, Miss Mousie's Blind Date, to be released in November 2012. Bradley McGogg illustrator, Rachel Berman, is once again behind the easel creating another gorgeous set of enchanted forest watercolours.

And there's a third book coming, too. Little Chicken Duck will be published by Tundra in the fall of 2013. This time, acclaimed children's book illustrator Bill Slavin will be bringing Tim's rhyming fairy tale to life.

Anson S. Taylor P.S.

On April 27, Tim Beiser visited Anson S. Taylor Public School in Scarborough, Ontario as part of their Poetry Day festivities. It was a wonderful day together -- and what a pleasure it was to read all the absolutely awesome poetry written by the students. It covered the walls! The next day, the students sent the following delightful note:

Good morning.

Thank you for coming to our school yesterday. We loved your presentation.

We like your book because it has a lot of rhyming words in it. We also like the pictures.

We hope you have a good time making more books.

From Mrs. Lisi's Grade 1 class

Anson Taylor Public School

April & May Personal Appearances

"Bradley McGogg" author Tim Beiser will be appearing at the following schools during the months of April and May 2011:

April 15 - C.E. Broughton P.S., Whitby, Ontario

April 27 - Anson S. Taylor P.S., Toronto, Ontario

May 11 - Altona Forest P.S., Pickering, Ontario

May 18 - Queen Elizabeth O.S., Oshawa, Ontario

Book Review: National Center for the Study of Children's Literature

Beiser, Tim. Bradley McGogg, The Very Fine Frog. Illus. Rachel Berman, Toronto: Tundra, 2008. ISBN 978-0-88776-864-4. Can. $19.99/ U.S. $17.95. Ages 4-9.

Review by Marie Soriano
National Center for the Study of Children's Literature
San Diego State University
Department of English and Comparative Literature

One day frog Bradley McGogg finds there is no food left in his pantry. What is he to do?! He decides to ask his neighbors to share their food with him. He visits the mouse, bear, hare, and cow. But they do not have the tasty food he's expecting! This hilarious story can be used from a number of angles to teach children. Adults could use this book to teach children that people have personal tastes, that people from different cultures eat different foods/dishes, that animals have different diets, or even that we need to be and can be polite when we don't wish to eat the food that someone has graciously offered us. Rachel Berman's illustrations in beautifully detailed watercolor capture frog's personality and bring the anthropomorphic animals to vivid life, bringing back memories of The Wind in the Willows. Frog wears Birkenstocks, Hare wears a redcoat and tails with a checkered waistcoast and Bear wears a yellow and white beanie and vest ensemble. The colors are neutral, toned down like cream, olive green and shades of brown. The illustrations are contained, not all over the page, and the text is above or below the pictures, so this might be a good book for kids who have outgrown simpler picture books.

"Best Book!" says Canadian Children's Book Centre

Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog made the list of the 2010 Best Books for Kids in the category Picture Books for Kids Ages 1 and Up by the Canadian Children's Book Centre!

The Canadian Children's Book Centre is a national, not-for-profit organization founded in 1976. The CCBC is dedicated to encouraging, promoting and supporting the reading, writing, illustrating and publishing of Canadian books for young readers.

Word of Mouse Book Review

If I had to judge Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog ...
Word of Mouse Book Reviews
August 20, 2010

... Now the story is great but the rhyming text is so fun to read and so different than any other book that it makes this worth the read and purchase. I can't imagine any child getting sick of this book or any parent for that matter.

Berman's illustrations match the fresh and unique text. Her depictions of the Brad McGogg the finicky frog in his sandals, jaunty bow tie and striped overalls are magnificent (who could not love a frog in sandals?!) I love the expressions that all the animals in the story have, especially Brad. I love their clothes and the animals' table settings and the fine food they prepare. This book is truly an exploration in epicurean delights that would please any aficionado!

(To read the full review, please go to: HERE )

MAY 2010 TOUR DATES

Tim Beiser will be making the following personal appearances during the month of May:

May 3 - Orangeville Public Library, Orangeville, Ontario
May 3 - Princess Elizabeth School, Orangeville, Ontario
May 4 - Holy Name School, Toronto, Ontario
May 5 - St. Cornelius School, Caledon, Ontario
May 5 - Albion-Bolton Community Centre, Bolton, Ontario
May 10 - E.W. Foster Elementary, Milton, Ontario
May 20 - Streetsville Branch Library, Missisaugua, Ontario

In the News

Children's book author visits Harrow schools

The Harrow News, Tues. April 13, 2010

Page 6

Harrow Junior school was recently visited by Tim Beiser, author of the award nominated children's book, Bradley McGogg: The Very Fine Frog. Beiser spoke to students from both Harrow Junior and Harrow Senior School about his books and becoming an author.

by Heather Gignac

Students from harrow Junior and Senior Public Schools partook in some interactive storytelling when award nominated author, Tim Beiser, came for a visit on April 1.

Meeting with a range of students from grades one through four, Beiser took the classes through a reading of his award nominated new children's book, Bradley McGogg: A Very Fine Frog and then a dramatization of the popular Grim's Fairy Tale, The Frog Prince.

Bradley McGogg: A Very fine Frog is Beiser's first children's book. It tells the story of a frog who lives in a bog and finds his food pantry suddenly bare. Bradley Mcgogg must set out to meet his neighbours in the hopes that they will share some of their food with him, only to find that not all creatures eat alike.

"I think the children really enjoyed Mr. Beiser's visit," said Cathy Franklin, librarian for Harrow Junior School. "His book is very clever and creative, it's all written in rhyme and the kids really have a fun time reading it."

Bradley McGogg: A Very Fine Frog is nominated for an Ontario Library Association Forest of Reading Award in the Blue Spruce category. All nominated books are read by select groups of students throughout the province who then vote on their favourite for a winner.

"The awards are set in place to encourage children of all ages to read," said Franklin.

Harrow Junior Senior School students are partaking in this year's Forest of Reading program and will be voting on their favourite book in the blue Spruce category. There are nine other nominees along with Beiser's book.

In the News

Children’s author comes to local school during area tour

Posted By Ron Giofu/The Amherstburg Echo

AMHERSTBURG — A Toronto-based author up for a children's book award stopped by Malden Central Public School to share his work with the public.

J. Timothy Hunt, who writes the children's books under the name Tim Beiser, concluded a three-day trip to the Windsor-Essex County area Thursday as part of a tour promoting his book "Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog."

The book is nominated for an Ontario Library Association "Blue Spruce Award" for books geared towards students in the primary grades. Students in Malden Central's youngest age groups were those who heard him read from his books Thursday afternoon.

"This is fun," said Hunt. "I've got two little boys at home so I love being around kids. I love talking to kids, answering their questions and letting them use their imagination. It makes me really happy."

-----

To read the full article, CLICK HERE.

APRIL 2010 TOUR DATES

Tim Beiser will be making the following personal appearances during the month of April:

April 1 - Harrow Junior P.S., Harrow, Ontario
April 1 - Malden Central P.S, Amherstburg, Ontario
April 9 - Adam Beck PS., Scarborough, Ontario
April 14 - Valley Farm PS, Pickering, Ontario
April 19 - Woburn Jr. P.S., Scarborough, Ontario
April 20 - Hamilton Public Library, Hamilton, Ontario
April 21 - Hamilton Public Library, Hamilton, Ontario
April 27 - Williamsburg P.S., Kitchener, Ontario
April 28 - St. Michael the Archangel School, Barrie

CBA Libris Awards Nomination

Bradley McGogg, The Very Fine Frog has been shortlisted for the Canadian Booksellers Association Libris Award for CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK OF THE YEAR!

The CBA Libris Awards are voted on by members of the book industry. The award ceremony will be held on May 29, 2010, during the CBA's National Conference and will be hosted by CBC Radio's Shelah Rogers.

The Canadian Booksellers Association is a national trade association representing trade and campus booksellers in all provinces and territories. Members includes Canadian bookstores of all sizes, including independents, chains, specialty stores, campus bookstores as well as more than 200 publishers and distributers. Some 1,000 bookstores are represented by CBA (www.cbabook.org).

For a complete list of the nominees, CLICK HERE.

Bradley McGogg YouTube Video